Strengthening civics and English requirements for naturalization

(a) In general Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1423) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking an understanding of the English language and inserting a sufficient understanding of the English language to read, write, speak, and understand ordinary English, including the English language used in the oath of allegiance described in section 337; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States and inserting a substantial knowledge and understanding of the history, principles, form of government, constitutional structure, and civic obligations of the United States; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (3) The examination required under paragraph (2) shall include questions testing the applicant’s knowledge and understanding of— (A) the Declaration of Independence; (B) the Constitution of the United States; (C) the Bill of Rights; (D) the separation of powers; (E) Federalism; (F) the rule of law; (G) equal citizenship under law; (H) religious liberty; (I) freedom of speech; (J) the history of the United States; (K) the duties and obligations of citizenship; (L) the meaning of the oath of allegiance described in section 337; and (M) the requirement that a citizen bear true faith and allegiance to the United States. (4) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) or any other provision of Federal law, the examination required under paragraph (2) shall be administered in the English language. (5) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) or any other provision of Federal law, the Secretary shall ensure that an applicant may not satisfy the requirement under paragraph (2) unless the applicant correctly answers not less than 80 percent of the questions asked during the examination. (6) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) or any other provision of Federal law, the Secretary shall ensure that not less than 50 percent of the questions asked during the examination required under paragraph (2) concern the Constitution of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the structure of the Government of the United States, or the oath of allegiance described in section 337.; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (c) Review and publication of naturalization examination materials (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the America First Citizenship and Allegiance Act, the Secretary shall revise the naturalization examination and study materials used to administer this section to comply with the requirements of such Act. (2) Publication The Secretary shall make publicly available the study materials described in paragraph (1), including a description of the subjects tested and the minimum passing standards. (3) Review Not less frequently than once every 4 years, the Secretary shall review and, as appropriate, revise the examination and study materials described in paragraph (1) to ensure that such examination and materials adequately test an applicant’s knowledge of the subjects described in subsection (a)(3). (d) Report on waivers Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the America First Citizenship and Allegiance Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report identifying— (1) the number of applicants granted a waiver or exception from any English-language requirement under this section; (2) the number of applicants granted a waiver or exception from any civics or history requirement under this section; (3) the statutory basis for each category of waiver or exception; (4) the number of applicants who failed the examination required under subsection (a)(2); (5) the number of applicants who passed the examination required under subsection (a)(2); and (6) any recommendations for improving the integrity and rigor of the naturalization examination.. (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to any application for naturalization filed on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.