The U.S. citizenship test is changing, and some immigrants and advocates are worried that it will be harder for people who don't speak English well.
The test is one of the last steps to becoming a citizen. It takes a long time and you have to be a legal permanent resident for years before you can apply.
In 2020, former President Donald Trump made the test longer and more difficult. But when President Joe Biden took office, he changed it back to the old version from 2008.
Now, U.S. authorities say the test needs to be updated after 15 years. The new test will probably come out next year.
The new test might have a speaking section where you have to describe pictures. Some people worry that this will be harder for immigrants who don't speak English well.
Jose Silva, who came from Brazil 10 years ago, took the test in May and became a citizen in June. She thinks it will be harder to describe pictures instead of answering personal questions.
Pedro Lorenzo, , who came from Portugal five years ago, thinks the new speaking section will make the test more stressful.
Another change might make the history and government questions multiple-choice instead of short-answer. This could make the test harder because you have to know more information.
Right now, you have to get six out of 10 questions right to pass. The questions are chosen from a bank of 100. But in the new test, you have to know all five wars fought by the U.S. in the 1900s to answer one question.
Some people think the new test will be too hard for immigrants who struggle with English or have disabilities.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says the changes will make the test better. They will try out the changes next year and then decide if they should make them.
Compared to other countries, the U.S. has an easier citizenship test. In Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom, the tests are harder.
Some people think the test should be stricter to make sure new citizens can speak English and know about American values.
Others think the test is not necessary because people born in the U.S. don't know the answers either.
Over 1 million people became citizens in 2022, and the government reduced the backlog of applications by a lot.
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