If you’re preparing to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization and were planning to use the disability exemption – pay very close attention. A major shake-up in the way USCIS handles Form N-648 (Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions) is here, and it changes the rules of the game starting June 13, 2025.
What’s This All About?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new policy guidance to strengthen the review process for disability exceptions. This means that applicants submitting Form N-648 to request exemptions from the English language and U.S. civics requirements due to disability will now face increased scrutiny.
Why? Because for years, the system has been plagued by fraudulent certifications—doctors signing off on disabilities that don’t genuinely prevent applicants from meeting the naturalization test requirements. According to USCIS, this has compromised the fairness of the system and allowed some applicants to bypass legal requirements unjustly.
Who Does This Impact?
This policy affects all new naturalization applicants filing Form N-648 on or after June 13, 2025. If you’re seeking an exemption from the English/civics portion of the naturalization test due to a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment, you must now provide detailed and credible medical justification.
But here’s the catch: just having a disability isn’t enough. Your condition must:
- Be medically determinable,
- Have lasted (or be expected to last) at least 12 months, and
- Directly prevent you from being able to learn English and civics.
Plus, your medical professional must clearly explain how your disability disables your learning ability—not simply state the condition.
⚠️ What’s New and Stricter?
- No more rubber-stamp approvals. Submitting multiple N-648 forms at once could trigger a credibility review.
- Medical professionals will be held accountable. False certifications could be flagged, investigated, and penalized.
- Disability claims must directly tie to the applicant’s inability to meet the test requirements—not just reference a diagnosis.
These changes are now part of Volume 12 of the USCIS Policy Manual and fall under President Biden’s executive orders aiming to undo harmful immigration policies and protect the integrity of the system.
Why This Matters for New Applicants
If you’re preparing your naturalization application and considering filing Form N-648:
- Be cautious and truthful.
- Ensure your doctor understands the new requirements.
- Expect stricter verification and the possibility of an interview or follow-up if your submission lacks clarity.
This is not just paperwork anymore—it’s a test of credibility.