New Citizenship Test Guide Released by DHS
President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced a 2025 research guide for immigrants preparing for the US citizenship test, notably omitting progressive language around concepts like “diversity” or the idea of a “nation of immigrants.”
The guide, published by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, spans 88 pages and is titled “One country, one.” It emphasizes a singular national theme throughout, pushing back against Democratic assertions that America is shaped by global immigration and multiple cultural identities.
According to estimates, about 800,000 individuals take the citizenship test annually. The guide notes the significant commitment required from applicants during their naturalization oath, which includes a promise of loyalty to the United States, superseding any allegiance to other nations.
“The intention is to convey that if individuals are becoming American citizens, they should prioritize loyalty to the United States above all,” remarked Jessica Vaughn, policy director at the Center for Immigration Studies, in a conversation with Breitbart News.
Vaughn went on to draw comparisons with other countries, such as Belgium, where cultural divisions complicate national unity. She argues that the American journey has historically thrived on the successful assimilation of diverse cultures into a cohesive society.
This perspective conflicts with what she describes as the progressive preference for a fragmented society, where competing cultural groups are managed by an educated elite. Vaughn suggests that Trump’s focus on unity among the 300 million American citizens challenges that vision.
Former President Obama criticized Trump earlier this month, asserting that the current environment for newcomers is akin to a progressive “experiment” to see if various immigrant groups and citizens can coexist peacefully.
“This is not an experiment; it’s a reality,” Obama asserted on October 16. “People from all over the globe have always come together in one place.”
He emphasized the core beliefs held by early American leaders regarding equality and the enduring nature of the nation’s ideals, including maintaining one’s cultural traditions while embracing collective democratic principles.
Interestingly, many immigrant advocacy groups are opposed to the new tests, which they argue are more demanding than the simpler versions used in the past. For instance, this new test requires applicants to answer 128 questions about historical figures and concepts, double the amount from earlier versions.
“It’s tough to expect someone to know all these details; even Americans might struggle with some of it,” an op-ed at migrantinsider.com observed.
Critics suggest the changes in the citizenship test are not truly about fostering patriotism, but rather about consolidating political power by limiting the number of new voters.
The DHS’s overarching “One Nation” theme is further emphasized throughout the guide. One section ties the theme to historical symbols like the Statue of Liberty, representing freedom and democracy.
In a surprising contrast, Democrats have often framed the Statue, originally a gift from France in 1886, as a monument celebrating a “nation of immigrants,” which many argue misrepresents its historical significance.
“The Statue of Liberty symbolizes American ideals,” reads Chapter 12 of the guide, detailing its history and significance while noting that millions visit it each year.
The guide discusses immigration only briefly, mentioning Ellis Island as a significant entry point for immigrants from 1892 onwards, but the term “immigrant” is rarely used. Instead, “citizen” and “citizenship” appear over 40 times.
Vaughn remarked, “The message to new arrivals is clear: we expect them to identify as Americans and adopt our cultural values.”
She concluded by saying Trump is working to finish the “diversity experiment” that has been a topic of debate in recent years.
