The Trump administration is moving to tighten the standards for both naturalization and high-skilled work visas, arguing that current rules allow too many people to qualify without demonstrating deep enough commitment or contribution to the country. At the center of the effort is Joseph Edlow, the new director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who has publicly criticized the existing citizenship test as “too easy” and overly dependent on rote memorization rather than genuine civic understanding. In interviews, Edlow has made clear that the administration plans to revise the naturalization exam to demand a more substantive grasp of U.S. history, government, and democratic values—bringing back elements of the tougher version rolled out during Donald Trump’s first term. (Anadolu Ajansı) (Financial Express)
Edlow’s concern is that the current format permits applicants to pass by memorizing answers without internalizing what those answers represent, which he says falls short of the spirit of the law and the goal of cultivating informed citizens. He and other officials believe a more rigorous test will better ensure that new Americans are prepared for meaningful civic participation and are genuinely invested in the country’s institutional fabric. (The Times of India) (Fox News)
This push comes on the heels of a history of shifting standards. The civics portion of the naturalization test was standardized in 2008 under the George W. Bush administration, requiring applicants to correctly answer six out of ten questions drawn from a set of 100. (USCIS, USCIS) During the Trump administration’s later adjustments, a more demanding version was introduced—expanded in content and criticized as unnecessarily complex and ideologically skewed—which prompted backlash from advocates who said it created undue barriers. (Politico) In early 2021, the Biden administration rolled back those changes, formally reverting to the 2008 version of the civics test to ease naturalization hurdles and reduce procedural friction for applicants. (USCIS, The Santa Barbara Independent)
Now, under renewed leadership aligned with a stricter immigration posture, USCIS is signaling a return toward the heightened standards of the previous Trump-era model. Officials have even hinted that certain exemptions—such as those benefiting older applicants—might be revisited, part of a broader reevaluation of who qualifies and under what criteria. (El País)
The changes aren’t limited to naturalization. Edlow has also targeted the H-1B visa program, advocating reforms to shift its focus away from volume and toward selectivity based on demonstrable value. He has criticized practices where employers use H-1B workers primarily as cost-saving substitutes for American labor, arguing the program should “supplement, not supplant” the U.S. workforce. Proposed adjustments would prioritize foreign professionals in specialty occupations who are highly skilled and well-compensated—those whose contributions yield clear economic benefit—over broader, less discriminating entry. (Visa Lawyer Blog) (Financial Express)
Taken together, these initiatives reflect an immigration philosophy emphasizing heightened scrutiny, self-reliance, and measurable contribution. Supporters argue the reforms will bolster national cohesion by ensuring newcomers and guest workers are deeply invested in the country’s civic and economic systems. Critics counter that raising the bar—especially on naturalization—risks deterring eligible immigrants, recreating unnecessary obstacles, and making legal pathways less accessible. (The Economic Times)
As the policy debate unfolds, the proposed overhauls to the citizenship test and the H-1B program are shaping up to be defining features of the administration’s broader immigration agenda. The changes will proceed through the formal rulemaking process, and their ultimate design and impact will depend on how the tension between accountability and accessibility is resolved in the months ahead. (El País, Anadolu Ajansı, The Times of India)