USCIS Director Seeks Overhaul of Naturalization Test
Joseph Edrow, the new director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is quickly setting a new direction for the path to American citizenship. Just weeks into his role, he is advocating for a significant redesign of the U.S. naturalization test, suggesting that the current method is too lenient and doesn’t progress in the way Congress anticipates.
In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Edrow expressed concerns that the Civics and English examination, which is central to naturalization, lacks sufficient depth regarding the knowledge and integration expected of new citizens. He stated, “This test needs to reflect the letter and spirit of what Congress intended. It’s crucial that people understand English, our history, our government…and the current testing methods fall short.”
The existing format requires applicants to answer six out of ten randomly chosen questions from a pool of 100, which cover topics such as the Constitution, U.S. history, geography, and civic duties. Additionally, they must read and write simple sentences in English. Edrow believes this isn’t enough. He envisions tests that delve deeper into American principles and assess language skills through actual conversations during naturalization interviews.
“I want judges to really engage with applicants during the interviews,” he noted. “Let’s see if they truly understand what’s being asked.” He emphasized the need to ensure that the test reflects the necessity of proper assimilation and highlighted a recent executive order recognizing English as a cornerstone of the American experience.
Edrow also highlighted issues within the H-1B visa system, which allows American companies to employ skilled foreign workers. “Companies often seek the best talent but end up offering minimum wage,” he commented, noting the adverse effects this has on U.S. alumni, particularly in STEM fields. He pointed to incidents where programs exploiting these visas have led to situations where employers are even training foreign replacements to let go of American employees.
This issue has created divisions within the Republican Party, particularly after Vice President JD Vance criticized Microsoft for laying off around 9,000 U.S. workers while seeking nearly 4,700 H-1B visas. “It’s just not credible to say you can’t find workers here in America,” Vance remarked.
In contrast, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has robustly supported the H-1B program, calling out opposition as “unrepentant racists.” Edrow mentioned that USCIS plans to collaborate with the Department of Labor to ensure wages and job functions align with visa claims. “We need to ensure that those brought in genuinely fulfill their roles and aren’t just part of cost-cutting measures,” he added.
On immigration policies related to welfare, Edrow mentioned that USCIS is preparing to reevaluate public charge rules. While these regulations have changed historically, with stricter interpretations during the Trump administration and a return to less stringent guidelines under Biden, Edrow signaled that thoughtful changes might require some time.
“This is something we must examine thoroughly,” he stated. “We need to determine how certain perks are assessed and what adjudicators should prioritize to prevent individuals from becoming a burden on U.S. taxpayers.”
Beyond proposing policy updates, Edrow has identified the increasing backlog of cases at USCIS as a significant operational challenge. He noted the national security implications of the backlog and criticized the previous administration for reallocating resources away from legal immigration during a surge in illegal border crossings.
While he promised efforts to speed up decision-making, Edrow cautioned that shortcuts won’t lead the way. “Yes, there might be some temporary difficulties,” he said, “but we need to tackle the backlog steadily without compromising the system’s integrity and security.”
