Navigating the Stricter Path to U.S. Citizenship: Challenges and Opportunities in the Trump Administration Era
The Trump administration is implementing stricter requirements for lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship, aiming to tighten the immigration system. The new measures emphasize cultural assimilation and more thorough screening for "anti-American" views. Some immigrant advocacy groups fear that these changes could discourage applicants and reduce the number of naturalized citizens. The process to obtain citizenship involves having a green card, submitting an application, paying a fee, completing an interview, passing background checks, English and civics tests, and taking an oath. The changes, including a harder civics test, have raised concerns among immigrants and advocates.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a memo in mid-August that raised the standard for demonstrating "good moral character." Officers must now consider positive attributes like family caregiving, education, employment, and community involvement. The agency will also screen for involvement in anti-American or terrorist organizations and expand social media vetting. Neighborhood investigations of applicants will resume, and a tougher civics test will be implemented. The agency aims to ensure that citizenship is not easily obtained and to prevent fraud in the system.
Some immigrants, motivated by President Trump's immigration crackdown, have hastened their citizenship applications. Cynthia Verduzco, a California resident, decided to apply for citizenship after feeling uncertain about her status following Trump's election. She wanted to secure her future in the U.S. to care for her children. The changes in the citizenship process have led to increased anxiety among eligible immigrants, who fear being denied or facing deportation. Despite the challenges, there has been a surge in interest in becoming citizens, especially before the new civics test is implemented.
While the changes have caused apprehension among applicants, there has not been a significant decrease in citizenship applications. The federal government approved around 680,000 citizenship applications in the first three quarters of the 2025 fiscal year. The stricter measures have prompted some permanent residents to pursue citizenship more urgently. Organizations offering citizenship classes have seen a rise in enrollment, indicating a growing interest in naturalization. The urgency to become citizens is particularly strong among refugees and asylees who cannot return to their home countries.
Yolanda Hernandez-Perez, a resident of Washington, applied for naturalization in September and is awaiting her interview and tests. She moved quickly to apply once eligible and completed citizenship classes. Despite having a green card, she felt compelled to secure her status amid increasing immigration enforcement. Hernandez-Perez, who grew up in the U.S., emphasized her strong ties to the country and her desire to become a citizen.