The public response to the new citizenship and green card rules displays a complex mix of support and apprehension. While many support stricter regulations aimed at fraud prevention, significant concerns remain about the intensified complexities of the immigration process and its potential negative impact on genuine relationships. Personal anecdotes reveal frustration, anxiety, and doubts about fairness in the system, highlighting a need for balance between regulation and compassion.

US Government

Immigration Applicants

Advocacy Groups

This isn’t for a green card. This is for citizenship.

ehrgeiz91

12 out of 20 doesn't seem unfair. Technically it's more forgiving than 6/10 if you studied

SamWest98

The administration don’t even have good moral character lol

cocholates

For any regular person it should be okay, but I can see elderly people struggling with the new test.

InsuranceGuyQuestion

&gt;USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said in a press release: “American citizenship is the most sacred citizenship in the world”

What? “Sacred” citizenship? Are people gonna have to swear that they accept Jesus as their lord and savior?

What a bunch of constitution-violating hacks!

Sheetz_Wawa_Market32

I can apply in two years. By that time, HE will have had time enough to make it so difficult that naturalization will be impossible.

darthuna

QuantumLeaperTime

concerned_llama

Wait so how do I provide good moral character evidence? Get letters from employer etc?

anneblythe

[deleted]

It does not apply to you because you submitted your application before the October deadline.

Broccoli_Soup_Fiend

My son was in the navy and died during active service
My fiancé is an Air Force veteran 
Apart from a traffic ticket/misdemeanor for speeding, I hope o should be ok

anyone4tea1

Actual-Strength1234

Funny thing is the orange man would fail the citizenship test based on lack of moral character and basic civic and historical knowledge.

Horse-w-no-name

Question if you apply on sunday October 19 would that change anything

zeey1

USCIS published Notice of Implementation of 2025 Naturalization Test in the Federal Register announcing it would administer the 2025 naturalization civics test to aliens who file their naturalization applications on or after Oct. 20, 2025.

To ensure sufficient time for the public to become familiar with the revised content and adequately prepare for the 2025 naturalization civics test, only those aliens applying for naturalization who file Form N-400 on or after Oct. 20, 2025, must take the 2025 test. Aliens who filed before that date will take the 2008 naturalization civics test.

Wallfinger

No_Share8571

If you apply till October 20th, will you avoid the changes?

No-Interview553

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Trump wouldn’t be able to pass that test

BlackNight305

Guys, showing good moral character is easy. Letters from bosses, neighbors, priests, etc. Volunteer for non profits.  Show that you appreciate and love your new American community. No need to make a mountain out of a mole hill.

catholichusband24

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I don’t see the problem. If you want to become a citizen of a country, you better learn the history, customs and important facts about the country you’re about to swear allegiance to

flairix0203

Interviews are now mandatory for all marriage cases. 

K1 finance visa processing times have increased exponentially as they fired everyone who worked on them. They went from average of 7-8 months in January, to 18 months. People applying now won’t be approved til early 2027. 

Not much else has changed. I came over on a k1 visa, married in march and interview for our Green card this week :)

milliehg1991

I can only speak from my experience.   
My spouse entered January 10th via K-1.   We married at the end of February.    Filed all the paper AOS, EAD and got the green card in the middle of June.   It felt really fast.   I was almost upset because i thought it would take longer and all the lawyer fees added up quickly.

DogInside5753

Immigration policies have not materially changed but some things like interviews for AOS or ROC are now mandatory when previously they might have been waived for some people. Therefore this makes the process take longer and there have been some reductions in Consular staff or on what their focus is, same at USCIS with some reduction in overall staff numbers and changes in flexibility of hours, etc. 

Naturalization was faster than I expected and faster than the USCIS’s own estimates for the Field Offices my family did our applications through.

Kiwiatx

&gt; Is it harder to apply if the fiance is already in USA vs out of state?

Generally it's easier unless the immigrant entered illegally.

&gt; Are any of those green cards being denied for any reason?

Yes.

&gt; Or worse are they getting detained at their adjustment of status hearings or anything like this?

It's happened to some people with existing removal orders.

renegaderunningdog

Gosh I hope so, most of the GC marriages I encountered were so fraudulent it was comical

Different-Student859

From what people tell me it's about the same. 


Its kinda obvious when he is 46 usc and she is 22 that it's not a relationship. 


They know when you both are bsing. Don't do that. 

420osrs

I’m not sure. I applied for everything in December and just got my green card last week. Other than the mandatory interview, I’d say it was pretty quick

mashbluka

If your fiance is NOT in the US right now and comes on a K1 ...you will be fine so long as you file for AOS prior to the end of the 90 days. I plan to file probably within the first 30-45 days. 

If your fiance is already here in the US on some sort of other type of visa ....student, tourist etc....i would make damn sure they are not in the US without status at any time. My understanding... overstaying a tourist visa because you got married and filed AOS is not the same as having a K1 and filing for AOS. 

I filed for my K1 and K2s in Jan....our expected approval is Jan '26 right now. (Per trackmyvisanow....I pay for the premium account)

I don't think USCIS lost a lot of people to firings ...but I had heard they were being reassigned to help ICE on certain cases. But I can't tell you where I heard that or how reliable that is.

ExPatMike0728

As someone who works in immigration, if you have a legal entry in the US, you are absolutely guaranteed a GC within under 2 years ( a lot less but giving wiggle room). 

I have always seen ( in the last 2+ years working in this field) every petitioner and beneficiary WILL have an interview. ( have not seen one case exempt or didn’t do the interview) EVEN under Biden. 

We have had ONE case where a client went to their AOS interview with a military spouse who is overseas, detained. 

Safe to say under this administration, NOTHING is going how it’s supposed to &amp; delays are expected.

Less_Bandicoot_4825

A pending I-485 no longer shields out of status beneficiaries from removal, at least in the case the beneficiary was out of status when I-485 was filed.

Then there is https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-7-part-b-chapter-3

&gt; In addition, a pending application or petition does not automatically afford protection against removal if the alien’s status expires after submission of the application. The alien may have no actual lawful status in the United States and may be subject to removal proceedings unless and until the extension of stay (EOS) application, change of status (COS) application, adjustment application, or petition is approved. 

Afaik, DHS is not invoking this policy. But I expect it will, with K visa holders being exempt.

Mission-Carry-887

Gee, I’m sure there’s no chance the Trump admin will apply these standards in a bigoted manner. None at all.

HeimLauf

Basically the Trump administration doesn’t want immigrants, got it!

No-Anteater5184

Per article:
“A greater emphasis will be placed on positive attributes and contributions such as community involvement, family caregiving, educational attainment, stable and lawful employment history, length of lawful residency in the U.S. and compliance with tax obligations and financial responsibility, USCIS said.”

I think those are good reasons. They’re the same reasons used in the past. Before becoming a green card holder or a US citizen you have to prove you won’t be a burden. I just wish they would allow people to bring families over quicker if you can prove you can support them while they’re going through the process. Instead making families wait 15-20 years.

WorstHumanWhoExisted

If you end up giving up your green card, make sure you research how to properly "check out" of the US tax system. Just giving up your green card doesn't end your status as a US taxpayer, you need to file some special forms. It's a bunch of bullshit.

If you take US citizenship, you won't really be able to have any investments in Spain (this already applies to you as a green card holder). Look up PFIC. Personally if you don't think you'll ever live in the US again, I would give it up (I gave up citizenship myself). But as others said, if your financial activities in the US are important to you, you might want to keep it as a hedge against potential future restrictions. You could always give it up in the future if you changed your mind, but once it's done there's no going back.

If you do decide to surrender the green card, I would check first with your brokerage about what would happen to your 401k and stock account. My brokerage still lets me use it as a non-resident alien (although their system is kind of janky and bug-ridden due to my status), but you might have to move your stuff somewhere else first if yours doesn't allow it. You can probably switch brokerages easily now, but nobody will give you a new account if you aren't a US resident. No idea about rental properties.

Triarag

Take the citizenship. It will become much harder to get back into the system and days tests will become harder under Trump.


Being a US citizen will be a massive advantage as I personally predict more limitations for foreigners doing anything in the U.S. Including a potential special/additional tax. Again, just a prediction. As the U.S. becomes more isolationist, citizens will be more and more prioritized. There will be downsides of course, but don't potentially lock yourself out of the system or potentially your own investments.


Just an opinion. Many will disagree with me, but multiple citizenships will always bring advantages.

Pale-Candidate8860

If the investments are your main concern, then having dual citizenship makes that harder on a number of fronts. You should consult a tax professional to look at your particular case, but as a dual citizen I can tell you that it makes things complicated even if your country has a tax treaty with the US.

StopDropNRoll0

If you would never ever want to come back, you don’t have to take the citizenship. BUT you don’t really know what would happen tomorrow, or the next 10 years. With citizenship, you are free to come and go as you please.

mintchan

Regardless of a US citizenship, your Spanish bank will consider you a "US Person", and hate your guts because of the added regulatory bullshit that comes with it. There might also be disadvantageous tax implications for keeping your US investments while living in Spain.

If your long-term plan is to never live in the US again, it *might* be better to hand in your green card so you're no longer a US Person, and move all your assets to Spain. You might be allowed to move your US 401(k) to a Spanish equivalent without penalties.

Cutting ties with the US means no US exit tax, no US income tax, no IRS reporting, no FBAR, no nothing. That *might* be better for you financially long-term.

henrik_se

When I left the USA I chose not to become a US citizen. I knew that I would never live in the USA again (I was 63 when I left), having to file US taxes every year would be an inconvenience, and US citizens living outside that US aren't allowed to invest in ETFs or mutual funds.

Take the citizenship.  No one with a green card is safe from whatever this fucking disaster presidency thinks up.

Status_Silver_5114

I (and my two kids) have opted for citizenship. They wanted the option to return and having it makes my US citizen husband feel better about us leaving.

Well, I took the dual citizenship. I can’t advise what to do but here is the reasoning of why I got citizenship instead of abandoning my green card:

1. I am 28 and who knows the twists and turns my life will take still. Right now I am thinking I won’t ever want to return. But who knows, what the Us or Lithuania will be like when I am 48 for example. I am closing the door to ever working in the US when I give up my green card and not get citizenship 

2. Based on current salaries in Lithuania, there is a super low chances of me making over $100k. So yeah, filing will suck but that income will be excluded in the US income taxes.

3. I guess I still have active bank account in Lithuania from before I moved, so that’s not a problem

ltudiamond

Take the citizenship.  

While this seems to have complicating ramifications, it can only be a net advantage to  you in life as you manage your assets from Spain. While specific future events cannot be predicted, citizenship will enhance your agility, including your ability to return to the States to exert personal, immediate contol over your property, or a return to the States for safety in times of social instability.

maxthed0g

US citizenship has absolutely no benefits for a Green Card holder. No one outside the US wants to deal with US citizens and their money, too many issues with IRS.
Abandoning Green Card and exiting after IRS settlement is fairly straightforward.
Then the worlds your oyster, lots of fun options.

TheRensh

You have to enter the US a certain number of times in a year to maintain a green card I believe. Or at least stay for X number of days in the US.

Illustrious-Pound266

How many years were you a green card holder? If 8 (inclusive of partial years) and you give up your green card you may be subject to exit tax. I am in the same boat and speaking with a tax attorney but for PT. This has such huge ramifications on options and tax consent I think it’s worth the investment

cupomatcha

You should state return intentions to US.

If you want to return to US in say 5, 20, 50 years or you want that option you most likely should keep it. Once you leave the green card will be lost and you may not get residency visa so easily.

Also. Children. Do you want them to have this option


Ultimately most people won't pay more tax being US citizens BUT you do need to file returns and some foreign banks may refuse you as a US citizen but I think the 500$/year accountant cost to file your taxes (maybe you can do it yourself eventually) is worth the citizenship for you and children, but that is the key decision.

michaelsmith0

You should get US Citizenship and be a dual-Citizen. As a green card holder you’d have to return to the U.S. every year in order to keep your green card, which can be a hassle.

Another issue to consider is social security payments once you are retired. As a USC, you will receive them wherever you live, but that's not necessarily true for then former LPR, and even if you would receive SS according to today's agreements, this can easier change for non-USC.

Topbernina

Keeping your green card or becoming a citizen is essentially the same thing: you are what’s called a “US person.” What you seem to want to ask is whether or not you should give up your green card entirely. For that I’d talk to an attorney or someone with  knowledge about retiring elsewhere.

mac_the_man

If you got American citizenship, would you have to give up your Spanish (EU) citizenship? Or would you be a dual citizen?

Barbarake

NeoLephty

New testing requirements for U.S. citizenship will be implemented, affecting green card holders seeking naturalization.

US Citizenship and Green Card Changes

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