Changes Coming To The U.S. Citizen Test Raise Concerns

In one proposed new section, an officer would show photos of scenarios such as daily activities, weather, or food, and ask the applicant to verbally describe the photos.

The U.S. Citizens test is due for an update after 15 years.

The new version is expected to be released late next year, and some immigrants and advocates express concerns that changes could harm test-takers with low levels of English skills.

The test is one of the final steps one must take before officially becoming a legal American citizen. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have proposed for the new test to add a speaking section to assess English skills.

An officer would show photos of scenarios such as daily activities, weather, or food, and ask the applicant to verbally describe the photos. In the current test, an officer evaluates speaking abilities in the interview by asking personal questions that the applicant already answered in their pre-required paperwork.

Another proposed change would make the civics section on U.S. history and government multiple choice instead of the current oral short-answer form.