Trump introduces revised civic test to make US citizenship harder

“We are doing everything in our power to make sure that anyone who is offered the privilege of becoming an American citizen fulfills their obligation to their new country,” said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin as quoted by LATimes.

Immigration advocates have criticised the move as an attempt to limit legal immigration and impose ideological tests.

“The Trump administration lauding the privileges of becoming a U.S. citizen — while making it harder to obtain it — rings hollow,” said Jennifer Ibañez Whitlock of the National Immigration Law Center.

The announcement comes amid broader Trump administration efforts to tighten immigration policies, ramp up deportations, and increase vetting of immigrants’ social media for “anti-American ideologies or activities.”