This Citizenship Day, reaffirming our commitment to accessible naturalization

As we celebrate Citizenship Day on September 17, the Trump administration is making it harder for eligible immigrants to become citizens.

By: Gary Sang, Immigrant Integration Program Manager

Every year on September 17, we celebrate Citizenship Day, honoring the transformative moment when eligible permanent residents choose to make the United States their permanent home by becoming U.S. citizens. This year’s celebration carries special significance as we witness a concerning rollback of policies that make applying for U.S. citizenship accessible and affordable for millions of Americans-in-waiting.

The numbers tell a powerful story of what’s possible when policymakers remove barriers to naturalization. Under the Biden administration’s commitment to “Restore Faith in Our Legal Immigration System and Promote Integration of New Americans”, nearly 3.5 million immigrants became U.S. citizens between fiscal years 2021 and 2024 — the most of any single presidential term in history. This achievement was no accident. It resulted from deliberate policy choices: expanding fee waiver and fee reduction eligibilities, streamlining applications, reducing processing times from 11.5 months to five months and removing unnecessary barriers.

Yet in just a few months, the current administration has begun dismantling this progress, making naturalization significantly more complex.

Making the application process harder, not fairer

The Trump administration has announced a series of policy changes that significantly increase barriers for eligible permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship. These new requirements create additional layers of scrutiny and documentation throughout the naturalization process.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services(USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow announced plans to make the naturalization exam more difficult, including adding a new component where applicants would describe pictures in English. These changes echo the punitive approach of the previous Trump administration, which implemented an unnecessarily complex civics test that was quickly reversed for being unfair and discriminatory.

Beyond the anticipated test changes, new guidance issued in June 2025 has made it significantly harder for immigrants with disabilities to receive medical exemptions from English and civics requirements. The policy now presumes fraud in medical certifications and creates multiple new hurdles for applicants who need disability accommodations — effectively denying equal access to citizenship for some of our most vulnerable community members. Adding to these barriers, USCIS also proposed revisions in August 2025 to the medical disability exemption form (N-648) that would require more detailed documentation about the nature and impact of disabilities, updated timing requirements for medical evaluations and generally increase the scrutiny applied to applicants. These changes further complicate the process for applicants with disabilities and raise concerns about equitable access to naturalization.

USCIS has also expanded its scrutiny of applicants’ “good moral character” beyond simply checking for disqualifying acts, now requiring applicants to demonstrate “positive attributes,” and may subject them to additional questioning about their personal lives and contributions. Even more troubling, the agency has resumed “neighborhood investigations” — background checks that include visits to applicants’ homes and workplaces, and may require testimonial letters from neighbors and employers — a practice that had been generally waived since 1991. 

Additionally, starting October 28, 2025, USCIS will no longer accept money orders, cashier’s checks or other paper-based payments for filing fees, requiring applicants to pay by credit card, debit card or electronic bank transfer through ACH. While limited exemptions are available, this shift may disproportionately affect individuals without access to banking services who have historically relied on paper-based payments.

The administration has even restricted civic engagement opportunities for new citizens. Starting on August 29, 2025, USCIS banned nonpartisan organizations like the League of Women Voters from providing voter registration services at naturalization ceremonies, despite decades of trusted partnership. As Celina Stewart, CEO of League of Women Voters, noted, this decision “is an attempt to keep new citizens from accessing their full rights” and represents “yet another intimidation tactic and attack on the immigrant community.” 

Eliminating community support

Another troubling action by the administration is the elimination of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, which has provided $168 million since 2009 to help eligible immigrants navigate the naturalization process. This program has enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress providing appropriated funding for citizenship assistance services at trusted community institutions like libraries, community colleges and nonprofits across the political spectrum. 

The on-the-ground impact of this funding cut is devastating. As Randy McGrorty of Catholic Legal Services noted, “Under President George W. Bush, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security saw naturalization support as part of its mission. It is my hope that we will again reprioritize people’s naturalization.” Carlos Manrique, a former Republican legislator who directed adult education programs for 26 years, called the program’s cancellation “a betrayal.” 

With over 9 million eligible lawful permanent residents nationwide, defunding this program abandons individuals who depend on these trusted community resources for citizenship assistance. 

The broader cost of restricting citizenship

These policy reversals aren’t just harmful to immigrant families — they hurt our entire economy. Research consistently shows that naturalized citizens earn higher wages than non-naturalized immigrants and contribute significantly more in taxes. When the government creates barriers to citizenship, it limits economic growth and reduces tax revenue at both local and federal levels. 

Doubling down on what works

On this Citizenship Day, we must double down on defending naturalization policies that work. At UnidosUS, alongside our national partners and Affiliates, we will continue advocating for policies that make citizenship accessible and affordable for all eligible permanent residents.

If you or someone you know is eligible for citizenship, don’t let these policy changes discourage you. Seek assistance from qualified legal service providers who can help navigate the current system and ensure you’re fully prepared for the application process.

Citizenship strengthens our democracy by fostering civic involvement, driving economic development and building stronger communities. As we celebrate Citizenship Day in 2025, let’s remember that defending fair and accessible naturalization policies isn’t just about immigration — it’s about upholding the principles that make our country stronger.

For resources on applying for citizenship and finding qualified legal assistance, visit: Celebrate Citizenship Day: Unleashing the Power of Naturalization

Date posted: September 17, 2025