A harder civics test. Stricter social media vetting. Neighborhood investigations into people's "moral character."
The Trump administration is erecting new hurdles for lawful permanent residents applying for U.S. citizenship, reviving old vetting standards and adding new requirements that emphasize cultural assimilation and more aggressively screen applicants for "anti-American" views.
To become a citizen, people generally have to have a green card for several years, submit an application, pay a fee, complete an interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, pass a background check as well as English and civics tests, and take an oath. Those who marry U.S. citizens can apply sooner after obtaining a green card.
In August, Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a memo that increased the standard to show " good moral character." This is a long-standing requirement that involved checking for criminal convictions and other acts of wrongdoing, such as failure to pay child support. Now, officers must also check for "positive attributes," such as educational attainment, stable employment and community involvement.
The agency also said it would begin considering "any involvement in anti-American or terrorist organizations" in requests for immigration benefits. Officials said they would screen people for support of "antisemitic terrorist organizations" and expand social media vetting to include checks for anti-American activity.
The agency said it would resume neighborhood investigations of immigrants who apply for citizenship, meaning officers could interview neighbors and coworkers of applicants.
People who applied on or after Oct. 20 will also have to take a harder civics test, which will require them to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly, up from six of 10. It also eliminates several simple geography questions and adds some that are more nuanced.
Nicole Melaku, executive director of National Partnership for New Americans, a coalition of immigrant rights groups, said she was concerned that the changes would have a chilling effect on applications. Although green card holders have the right to live and work in the United States permanently, naturalized citizens have greater protections against deportation, the right to vote and the ability to sponsor more family members.
"This is an intimidation and fear-producing tactic from this administration to possibly dissuade individuals from accessing the process," Melaku said.
Matthew Tragesser, a spokesperson for the immigration agency, said citizenship "should not be a cakewalk to obtain, and we are certainly not going to give it away."
The Trump administration is erecting new hurdles for lawful permanent residents applying for U.S. citizenship, reviving old vetting standards and adding new requirements that emphasize cultural assimilation and more aggressively screen applicants for "anti-American" views.
To become a citizen, people generally have to have a green card for several years, submit an application, pay a fee, complete an interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, pass a background check as well as English and civics tests, and take an oath. Those who marry U.S. citizens can apply sooner after obtaining a green card.
In August, Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a memo that increased the standard to show " good moral character." This is a long-standing requirement that involved checking for criminal convictions and other acts of wrongdoing, such as failure to pay child support. Now, officers must also check for "positive attributes," such as educational attainment, stable employment and community involvement.
The agency also said it would begin considering "any involvement in anti-American or terrorist organizations" in requests for immigration benefits. Officials said they would screen people for support of "antisemitic terrorist organizations" and expand social media vetting to include checks for anti-American activity.
The agency said it would resume neighborhood investigations of immigrants who apply for citizenship, meaning officers could interview neighbors and coworkers of applicants.
People who applied on or after Oct. 20 will also have to take a harder civics test, which will require them to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly, up from six of 10. It also eliminates several simple geography questions and adds some that are more nuanced.
Nicole Melaku, executive director of National Partnership for New Americans, a coalition of immigrant rights groups, said she was concerned that the changes would have a chilling effect on applications. Although green card holders have the right to live and work in the United States permanently, naturalized citizens have greater protections against deportation, the right to vote and the ability to sponsor more family members.
"This is an intimidation and fear-producing tactic from this administration to possibly dissuade individuals from accessing the process," Melaku said.
Matthew Tragesser, a spokesperson for the immigration agency, said citizenship "should not be a cakewalk to obtain, and we are certainly not going to give it away."
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