Trump-Era Immigration Reforms Make a Comeback: Tougher Citizenship Test & Visa Crackdown Ahead

The Trump administration is once again pushing to overhaul the U.S. citizenship test, calling the current version “too simplistic” and too easy to pass through memorization. Officials argue that the naturalization process should reflect genuine civic understanding—not just surface-level answers. Joseph Edlow, head of USCIS, criticized the current format and vowed reforms to ensure new citizens are better prepared for civic life in America.

The move revives efforts from Trump’s first term, when the civics test was expanded and made more challenging. President Biden rolled those changes back in 2021, but now, under renewed Trump-aligned leadership, USCIS is set to reinstate the tougher version.

The reform agenda doesn’t stop there. Edlow also hinted at major changes to the H-1B visa program, aiming to curb what he calls the misuse of foreign labor to undercut American jobs. Proposed revisions would prioritize highly skilled, high-wage workers over bulk hiring strategies.

Supporters say these changes uphold American values and economic integrity. Critics warn they’ll discourage legal immigration and add unnecessary hurdles. Either way, it’s clear: the fight over the future of U.S. immigration policy is far from over.