Becoming a U.S. citizen just became harder: How the new civics test questions differ from the old ones

The Trump administration is implementing policies to make obtaining legal status in the US more challenging. A new, more difficult civics test for naturalization has been introduced, replacing the 2008 version. This new test requires more correct answers and includes more complex questions on US history and government. The question pool has expanded, and the format of the exam has changed, with officers ending the test once an applicant fails. Applicants must now demonstrate "good moral character" and may need to provide evidence of contributions to American society. These changes are part of a broader effort to increase scrutiny of immigrants. Immigration advocates are concerned that these updates will create more barriers to citizenship, especially for those with low literacy. The changes could reduce the number of people who successfully complete the naturalization process. The new test emphasizes understanding concepts over memorization of answers. Further measures, such as essays, may also be implemented. Critics fear these changes will lead to biased decision-making based on arbitrary factors.