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USCIS Open Amid Shutdown: New Civics Test Coming Soon

10/8/2025

34 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices stay open during the shutdown; processing delays are expected.
USCIS prioritizes national-security cases and vetting; critics say the civics test may hinder developing-nation applicants.
A new citizenship civics test launches October 20, 2025; filings before take the 2008 test, after take the revised version.
USCIS uses Direct Hiring Authority to expedite critical hires.

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Story summary

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices stay open during the shutdown; processing delays are expected.
USCIS prioritizes national-security cases and vetting; critics say the civics test may hinder developing-nation applicants.
A new citizenship civics test launches October 20, 2025; filings before take the 2008 test, after take the revised version.
USCIS uses Direct Hiring Authority to expedite critical hires.