Recent reports reveal a significant trend: India leads the world in approved H-1B visa applications, with over 232,000 approvals between 2020 and 2023, accounting for nearly 73.7% of all H-1B visas issued. This surge in immigration saw the U.S. immigrant population grow by 1.6 million in 2023, marking the largest increase in over two decades and pushing immigrants to over 14% of the total population—the highest since 1910. Among these, Indians form the second-largest immigrant group, after Mexicans, highlighting their indispensable contribution to the American workforce.
For countless Indian professionals holding H-1B visas—temporary work permits for specialized roles—the ultimate aspiration is often permanent residency, widely known as a green card. This coveted status offers the legal right to live and work indefinitely in the U.S., serving as a direct route to full citizenship. However, the path from an H-1B visa to a green card and eventually to U.S. citizenship is notoriously long, intricate, and continually shaped by evolving immigration policies.
The New US Citizenship Test: What You Need to Know
The U.S. government is reintroducing a more rigorous civics test for aspiring citizens, reverting to a version first implemented during the initial Trump administration in 2020. This test had previously been discontinued by the Biden administration, which argued that its expanded scope created undue obstacles for legal immigrants.
However, for all citizenship applications filed after mid-October 2025, a new standard applies. Candidates will need to prepare for a comprehensive pool of 128 questions spanning U.S. history and political science. Crucially, they must orally answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly during the interview—a significant jump from the earlier 2008 version, which only required 6 correct answers out of 10 from a 100-question pool.
The examination is entirely oral, not multiple-choice, and many questions permit various valid responses. Special provisions are made for applicants aged 65 or older who have maintained permanent residency for two decades or more; their requirement is limited to a pool of 20 questions, and they may take the test in their native language. New topics added to the test include the 10th Amendment, the Federalist Papers, insights into former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, key Founding Fathers like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, and significant American innovations.
Beyond the Test: Heightened Scrutiny for Applicants
These adjustments to the civics test are just one component of a wider effort by the Trump administration to tighten legal immigration procedures. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has broadened the criteria for assessing an applicant’s “good moral character”—a fundamental prerequisite for citizenship. Furthermore, the administration has resurrected “neighborhood checks,” where investigators interview neighbors and colleagues to corroborate an applicant’s eligibility.
Matthew Tragesser, a USCIS spokesperson, asserted that restoring the 2020 civics test guarantees that new citizens are “fully assimilated and will contribute to America’s greatness.” He indicated this was merely “the first of many” such modifications. Tragesser emphasized, “American citizenship is the most sacred citizenship in the world and should only be reserved for aliens who will fully embrace our values and principles as a nation.”
Conversely, advocates for immigrants caution that these reforms could pose significant barriers for individuals who have resided in the U.S. for extended periods. A senior policy counsel at the National Immigration Law Center remarked, “All this does is make it harder for long-time residents who contribute to this country every day to finally achieve the permanent protections that only US citizenship can offer.”
Implications for Indian H-1B Holders and Beyond
These policy shifts hold particular weight for Indian professionals currently on H-1B visas who aspire to obtain green cards. Many already face a protracted and often uncertain journey toward securing permanent residency. Citizenship, typically the ultimate step, confers vital benefits such as voting rights, protection from deportation, and the ability to sponsor family members. The updated test, with its expanded question pool and more intense scrutiny, necessitates a greater investment of time and meticulous preparation from all applicants.
It’s crucial to understand that these revised regulations apply universally—to anyone seeking U.S. citizenship, regardless of their country of origin. This means that all prospective citizens must now contend with the more challenging civics test and comprehensive vetting procedures. For America’s ever-growing immigrant population, which now constitutes over 14% of the nation, these changes underscore a renewed emphasis on assimilation, a deep understanding of American history, and adherence to foundational national values.
Navigating the Path Forward
For H-1B visa holders and other aspiring citizens, thorough preparation is paramount. Grasping the full scope of the new test, diligently studying the expanded 128-question civics pool, and being fully aware of the intensified background checks can be the decisive factor between achieving your American dream and facing prolonged delays. While these reforms might appear formidable, they represent an undeniable part of the U.S. immigration policy’s evolving landscape—a landscape that professionals, particularly those from India, must vigilantly track.
As the United States redefines its citizenship process, Indian professionals and other immigrant communities face the dual challenge of advancing their careers while simultaneously adapting to rapid regulatory shifts. With the pathways to H-1B visas, green cards, and citizenship becoming more demanding, it prompts a critical question: how much are you truly prepared to invest in understanding the real costs—both tangible and intangible—of this profound journey?