America First Citizenship and Allegiance Act

Key Points

• The bill raises the passing score on the naturalization civics exam to 80% and requires at least half the questions to cover the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, government structure, or the oath of allegiance. The exam must also be given in English.
• Applicants must receive instruction on the oath of allegiance before taking it and must certify in writing, under penalty of perjury, that they understand the oath and are willing to take it freely. This applies to oaths administered 180 days after enactment.
• The bill creates mandatory denial of naturalization for anyone who makes false statements, conceals material facts, uses fraudulent documents, or obstructs background checks. Those who commit serious fraud tied to terrorism, espionage, or violent crimes face a permanent ban on citizenship.
• People who support terrorism, advocate violent overthrow of the government, work as agents of foreign powers, or participate in cartels and criminal gangs are explicitly defined as not being 'attached to the principles of the Constitution' and therefore ineligible for naturalization.
• Criminal penalties for naturalization fraud increase sharply, with sentences of up to 25 years for terrorism-related fraud and up to 20 years for drug trafficking or transnational crime. Document fraud fines jump tenfold, with first-offense minimums rising from $250 to $2,500.
• The bill establishes the 'America 250 Citizenship Initiative' to create updated study guides, citizenship guides, and oath ceremony materials in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. These must be developed within 180 days of enactment.