The American Spectator has announced the publication of an article arguing that efforts to make the U.S. citizenship test more difficult miss the point. The article emphasizes the need to instill immigrants with a meaningful understanding of America’s Constitution, Bill of Rights, and core values.
According to The American Spectator, efforts by the Trump administration to toughen the U.S. citizenship test by restoring the more rigorous 2020 version are missing the larger issue. The article argues that test revisions, whether making the exam harder or easier, are a distraction from the true goal of instilling a civic awakening in immigrants who wish to become citizens. It states that true naturalization requires understanding the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the principles that define America, not just reciting memorized answers.
According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 1 million immigrants were naturalized as U.S. citizens in fiscal year 2022, marking the largest number in almost 15 years. Pew researchers note that while applicants must demonstrate residency, language skills, and civics knowledge, frequent revisions to the test have raised concerns about consistency and fairness. The report emphasizes that while test reforms may shift difficulty levels, they do little to address whether new citizens are developing a meaningful understanding of civic duty—echoing concerns raised by The American Spectator.
The New York Times reported in January 2024 that the Biden administration scrapped a planned redesign of the citizenship test after advocacy groups warned it would disproportionately burden applicants with limited English proficiency. Proposed changes included expanding the speaking portion and increasing question difficulty, which critics argued could suppress naturalization rates. The Times explains that this reversal reflects ongoing national debate over whether the process should prioritize rigor or accessibility, directly tying into arguments made by The American Spectator regarding values education over rote difficulty.
According to its official website, The American Spectator is a conservative magazine founded in 1924 that publishes commentary and analysis on politics, culture, and public affairs. The publication emphasizes free-market economics, limited government, and cultural conservatism as its editorial pillars. Its mission is to challenge liberal orthodoxy while advancing America’s founding values, positioning itself as a long-standing voice in conservative thought.
