A requirement for naturalization has always been establishing good moral character. This remains a significant factor but the review process is changing. Previously, USCIS primarily relied upon a satisfactory financial history (e.g., verifying that the applicant has complied with tax obligations and child support payments) and no past misconduct (such as unlawfully voting, making false claims to citizenship, or criminal activities).
The changes USCIS announced include restoring “robust” vetting for all applicants and stricter reviews of disability exceptions to the English and civics requirements. USCIS will also be looking for positive contributions to American society instead of a mere absence of bad behavior. The agency is resuming neighborhood investigations to ensure that applicants meet statutory requirements and are worthy of U.S. citizenship. Other recent policies include clarifying that unlawfully voting, unlawfully registering to vote, and making false claims to U.S. citizenship disqualify applicants from showing good moral character.
USCIS is also changing the civics and government test, which is conducted orally. Applicants who file Form N-400 on or after Oct. 20, 2025 must take the 2025 civics test. Applicants who filed before that date will take the 2008 naturalization civics test.
The 2025 test will include administering 20 test questions (instead of the previous 10) wherein the applicant must get 12 correct (versus the previous 6 correct answers). An applicant fails the test if they have 9 incorrect answers.
More information can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources/check-for-test-updates.