Acceptable answers include ▪  Absolutely not ▪  No 

You can access the most recent version of the Civics Questions for the Naturalization Test on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. As the instructions state at the top of the page, the civics test is “an oral test and the USCIS Officer will ask the applicant up to 10 of the 100 civics questions.” Applicants are also tested on their ability to read and write in English. Naturalization applicants arrive at their interview through many channels, but the majority have either (1) held Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card) status for at least five years, or (2) maintained a bona fide marriage to a U.S. Citizen for at least three years. Learning a new language is difficult, but many if not most applicants are proficient in English after living several years abiding by the laws and customs of the United States. The Civics Exam, however, can present challenges for an applicant – especially when the answers conflict with current Presidential interpretation. Below are examples of questions asked during the United States Citizenship interview and test. 

What Stops One Branch of Government From Becoming Too Powerful? 

Acceptable answers include  ▪  Checks and balances  ▪  Separation of powers

What Movement Tried to End Racial Discrimination?

Acceptable answers include   ▪  The Civil Rights Movement 

What Did Susan B. Anthony Do? 

Acceptable answers include   ▪  Fought for women’s rights   ▪   Fought for civil rights 

What is the Supreme Law of the Land?

What is the Supreme Law of the Land? This is the first question featured under the American Government, Principles of American Democracy section of the exam questions. The question is derived from Article VI of the Constitution, also known as the Supremacy Clause. “The Constitution… shall be the supreme law of the land.” The acceptable answer is: The US Constitution. 

What is an Amendment? 

What is an Amendment? Acceptable answers include  ▪  A change (to the Constitution) and  ▪  An addition (to the Constitution). 

The process for amending the Constitution is outlined in Article Five. Amendments must be proposed and ratified. The Constitution is difficult to amend, but it is not impossible. The last amendment to the US Constitution was the 27th Amendment, ratified over thirty years ago. 

What is the Rule of Law? 

What is the Rule of Law? Acceptable answers include ▪  Everyone must follow the law.  ▪  Leaders must obey the law.  ▪  Government must obey the law.   ▪  No one is above the law. 

On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14160,“Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship.” Mr. Trump reinterpreted, or redefined, the Fourteenth Amendment in the Executive Order. Specifically, Mr. Trump sought to end birthright citizenship in the United States. The 14th Amendment codified birthright citizenship in 1868. 

The court challenges began here in Seattle. On January 23, 2025, Judge Coughenour, of the Western District of Washington issued a temporary (14-day) block on the order. On February 5, US District Judge Boardman of Maryland issued a nationwide preliminary injunction. A day later, Judge Coughenour issued the second nationwide preliminary injunction and made the following remarks in his oral decision: 

“It has become ever more apparent that to our president the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain. Nevertheless, in this courtroom and under my watch – the rule of law is a bright beacon which I intend to follow… There are moments in the world’s history when people look back and ask where are the lawyers, where are the judges. In these moments the rule of law becomes especially vulnerable. I refuse to let that beacon go dark today. As a judge, my job is not only to uphold the law but to protect the rule of law itself. Birthright citizenship is a fundamental, constitutional right. The 14th Amendment secures the blessings of liberty to our posterity by bestowing on all those born in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction, the rights of citizenship. We are all citizens subject to the rule of law. No amount of policy debate can change that. The fact that the government has cloaked what is effectively a constitutional amendment under the guise of an executive order is equally unconstitutional. The Constitution is not something with which the government may make policy games. If the government wants to change the exceptional American grant of birthright citizenship, it needs to amend the Constitution itself. That’s how our Constitution works, and that’s how the rule of law works.” 

If The Rule of Law is Grounded in an Honor System, What Happens When the President Has No Honor?*

*Not featured in the USCIS Naturalization questions. 

Donald Trump’s attack on birthright citizenship displays his contempt for immigrants, expecting mothers, and the Rule of Law in the United States. His administration has suspended legal means of immigration, undermined fundamental women’s rights, and sought to amend the Constitution through illegal means. 

The US Constitution is just another piece of text Donald Trump will never read. His progress is hindered by swift court action, but what happens when the mud of litigation becomes too thick to circumvent? Do we leave our Duck boots behind? Perhaps they’re already lost to the mire, and it’s time to proceed barefoot.