Trump Administration Plans Stricter Green Card Interviews, Tougher Civics Test from October

The Trump administration is implementing a comprehensive overhaul of the green card, visa, and citizenship interview processes, effective October 20, 2025, aiming to enforce a more rigorous, security-focused approach that emphasizes loyalty to American values. Key changes include expanded interviews, a tougher civics test requiring applicants to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly from a large pool, and stricter evaluations of applicants' "good moral character," which now consider positive societal contributions beyond just the absence of criminal behavior. The government is recruiting "homeland defenders" to conduct these interviews, with DHS and White House officials framing the role as a critical mission to protect America from exploitation of the immigration system, though critics warn this language may cast immigrants in a suspicious light. The process may also involve discretionary "neighborhood investigations," such as gathering testimonial letters or conducting interviews with people who know the applicant, a practice not widely used since the 1990s. These reforms have sparked debate, with supporters viewing them as a restoration of integrity and national pride, while opponents caution about potential bias and discouragement of lawful applicants. Additionally, detailed guidance is available for green card replacement processes, which remain essential for lawful permanent residents needing to renew or replace their cards due to loss, theft, or expiration.