The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to introduce new educational standards and testing rules for people applying for American citizenship. The proposal, published in the DHS's latest regulatory agenda, would allow third parties to administer naturalisation tests and revise citizenship education requirements. Officials confirmed that the proposed changes would undergo public consultation before any new rules are adopted.
What the Proposal Seeks to Change
According to the DHS as reported by Times of India, the planned rule would create "a framework and a standard" for applicants to satisfy citizenship education requirements. The department also said it is considering permitting third parties to conduct naturalisation tests, a move it believes would provide greater flexibility in administering the examinations. However, officials have not yet disclosed how such a system would operate or which organisations could be authorised to conduct the tests.
Current US law requires applicants for citizenship to demonstrate an ability to read, write and speak basic English, as well as possess knowledge of American history and government. The DHS argued that existing regulations do not clearly define how applicants should meet those educational requirements. It added that the proposed changes are intended to improve the assimilation of lawful immigrants into American society while promoting attachment to the US Constitution, laws and founding principles.
Experts Urge Caution
Douglas Pierce, a former US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) supervisor, said the idea of allowing third-party organisations to conduct naturalisation testing is not entirely new, noting that a similar approach had been explored during the Clinton administration. However, he said it was too early to judge the proposal because the government has not released enough details about how the system would function or which organisations might be involved.
Immigration lawyer Gabriella Walsh also said the proposal could significantly reshape the naturalisation process if eventually adopted, noting that immigration policies continue to evolve beyond border enforcement and visa regulations.
Millions Could Be Affected
USCIS data showed that 818,500 people became naturalised US citizens during the 2024 fiscal year, while nearly eight million immigrants obtained US citizenship over the past decade. Agency figures also showed that 89.7 per cent of applicants passed the citizenship test on their first attempt, with the success rate increasing to 94.4 per cent after re-examinations.
The latest proposal follows several recent changes to the citizenship examination. A revised civics test introduced during Trump's first administration was later scrapped by the Biden administration before USCIS announced in 2025 that it would adopt another version based on elements of the 2020 test.
Proposal Comes Amid Wider Citizenship Crackdown
The planned changes also coincide with a broader crackdown on naturalised citizens accused of obtaining US citizenship through fraud or misrepresentation. Earlier this week, the Justice Department announced what it described as the largest coordinated denaturalisation effort in US history after filing cases against 25 naturalised citizens accused of securing citizenship through fraud, concealment or other unlawful conduct.
According to the DHS regulatory agenda, a formal notice of the proposed rule is expected to be published in December. The proposal will undergo a public consultation process before any final decision is taken.
US Embassy Explains How Long Nigerians Can Stay in America
In a previous report, the United States Mission in Nigeria reminded travellers that holding a valid US visa does not automatically determine how long they can remain in the country. The embassy urged international visitors to verify their authorised period of stay through their electronic arrival record after entering the United States.
