- The Trump administration has proposed a new educational requirement for US citizenship applicants, though DHS has confirmed current naturalisation rules remain unchanged for now.
- DHS has proposed giving USCIS greater flexibility by allowing approved third parties to administer parts of the naturalisation exam.
- Immigration attorney Gabriella Walsh has cautioned that the proposal remains in early stages, with the official Notice of Proposed Rulemaking yet to be published.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has proposed sweeping changes to the country’s naturalisation process that could introduce a new educational requirement for immigrants seeking American citizenship, though the changes remain under review and have not yet taken effect.
The proposal, announced by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aims to strengthen the citizenship application process by creating a more structured framework for evaluating applicants’ educational qualifications and knowledge of the United States. DHS says the current naturalisation requirements remain unchanged for now, even as the proposed reforms attract significant attention.
According to the department, the reforms are intended to improve the integrity and consistency of the naturalisation process, with officials arguing that a clearer educational framework would help ensure immigrants are better prepared to become informed and engaged American citizens.
DHS says the changes are designed to promote successful integration into American society by strengthening applicants’ understanding of the English language, US history, the Constitution, the country’s democratic institutions and the principles upon which the nation was founded, and would enhance public confidence in the citizenship process while maintaining high standards for those seeking to become Americans.
Under existing US immigration laws, lawful permanent residents, commonly known as Green Card holders, can apply for American citizenship after living in the United States for at least five years, while individuals married to US citizens may qualify after three years of permanent residency. Applicants are currently required to complete two key assessments before they can be naturalised: an English language examination measuring their ability to read, write, speak and understand basic English, and a civics test evaluating their knowledge of American history, government, constitutional principles and civic responsibilities. Although applicants must demonstrate these competencies, there is currently no specific educational qualification or academic standard required by law.
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The proposed regulation seeks to establish a formal educational framework that applicants would need to satisfy during the naturalisation process. DHS also wants to give the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) greater flexibility in administering citizenship tests, including allowing approved third parties to administer parts of the naturalisation examination instead of limiting the process to interviews conducted solely by USCIS officers. The department says this flexibility could improve efficiency while preserving the integrity of the examination process.
Immigration experts have emphasised that the proposal is still in its early stages and should not be interpreted as an immediate change to citizenship requirements. Immigration attorney Gabriella Walsh noted that the government has yet to publish the official Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, meaning the exact details of the educational requirement remain unknown, and said no changes have been implemented, with applicants advised to continue following current naturalisation procedures until new regulations are formally approved.
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Walsh added that the proposal demonstrates how US immigration policy continues to evolve, affecting not only border security and visa programmes but also long-established pathways to citizenship.
Before the proposed reforms can take effect, they must pass through the federal rule-making process, which includes publication of the proposed regulations and a public consultation period, with feedback from stakeholders and members of the public to be reviewed before a final decision is made. Until then, all individuals applying for US citizenship will continue to be assessed under the existing naturalisation rules. If eventually approved, the reforms could mark one of the most significant changes to the US citizenship process in recent years, potentially reshaping how future immigrants qualify to become American citizens.
By Hillary Muhalya
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