Monday, February 28, 2011

USCIS 100 Remix Quizzes and MP3s


USCIS 100 Remix Quizzes
  • "Ones" USCIS 01, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91
  • "Twos" USCIS 02, 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, 92
  • "Threes" USCIS 03, 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73, 83, 93
  • "Fours" 04, 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, 84, 94
  • "Fives" 05, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95
  • "Sixes" 06, 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66, 76, 86, 96
  • "Sevens" 07, 17, 27, 37, 47, 57, 67, 77, 87, 97
  • "Eights" 08.18, 28, 38, 48, 58, 68, 78, 88, 98
  • "Nines" 09, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, 79, 89, 99
  • "Tens" 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100

USCIS 100 Remix MP3s

Friday, February 25, 2011

West Wing Week: 2/25/11 or "Don't Bump My Atoms"



wh.gov: West Wing Week: 2/25/11 or "Don't Bump My Atoms"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week, President Obama held events in Oregon and Ohio focused on promoting growth and winning the future through investments, concentrating on innovation and small business growth. Also, the President convened his Council on Jobs and Competitiveness at the White House.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

More Muslim Americans on Ballot in Chicago



VOANews: More Muslim Americans on Ballot in Chicago

Much of the attention on Chicago's local elections February 22 is focused on the race for mayor. Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel and former Senator Carol Moseley Braun lead a list of candidates seeking the office currently held by Mayor Richard Daley. But in those same elections, an increased number of Muslim American candidates also are seeking positions on Chicago's city council. VOA's Kane Farabaugh has more.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

West Wing Week: 2/18/11 or "Goodbye, Gibbs"



wh.gov: West Wing Week: 2/18/11 or "Goodbye, Gibbs"
Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week, President Obama released his federal budget, discussing the need to take responsibility for our deficits while investing in education, to prepare our children to be competitive in the global economy and win the future. He also responded to the situation in Egypt, chatted with some Boy Scouts, and honored some of our greatest Americans

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

President Obama Unveils Budget Proposal



VOAVideo: President Obama Unveils Budget Proposal

U.S. President Barack Obama has unveiled a $3.7 trillion federal budget for next year that seeks to cut America's mammoth deficit while retaining certain spending priorities to spur future economic expansion. Republicans, who control one house of Congress, are dismissing the president's proposed budget as a costly burden to the economy that fails to address a fiscal crisis. As VOA's Michael Bowman reports, the positions staked out constitute opening bids in what is expected to be a protracted battle over the government's finances.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

February 15 is Susan B. Anthony Day!

The Susan B. Anthony dollar is a United States coin minted from 1979 to 1981, and again in 1999. It depicts women's suffrage campaigner Susan B. Anthony. The reverse depicts an eagle flying above the moon (with the Earth in the background), a design adapted from the Apollo 11 mission insignia that was also present on the previously issued Eisenhower dollar (Source: Wikipedia: SBA).

77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?

  • fought for women’s rights
  • fought for civil rights

Susan B. Anthony was born in Massachusetts on February 15, 1820. She is known for campaigning for the right of women to vote. She spoke out publicly against slavery and for equal treatment of women in the workplace.

In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution gave women the right to vote. Susan B. Anthony died 14 years before the adoption of the 19th Amendment, but it was still widely known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment.

In 1979, she became the first woman whose image appeared on a circulating U.S. coin. The coin is called the Susan B. Anthony dollar and is worth one dollar. (source: USCIS M-638)

See also:

Monday, February 14, 2011

American Heart Association

FEBRUARY IS AMERICAN HEART MONTH!
On Valentine's Day, US Citizenship Podcast salutes the outstanding work of the American Heart Association.
Their mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. A great mission and a great volunteer organization
!


americanheartassoc: American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown Discusses Ideal Health and 2020 Goal
American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown presents new tools the organization has developed to help Americans improve their heart health -- and help prevent heart diseases, strokes and other diseases.

Brown describes how the American Heart Association has taken the unprecedented step of defining "ideal heart health". Brown explains how ideal cardiovascular health is based on seven simple behaviors and health factors, named "Life's Simple 7", that anyone can adjust to lower their chances of heart diseases or stroke.

Based on this definition, the Association has created a website where anyone can check their heart health.

This strategy of prevention is a major part of the American Heart Association's bold new goal: To improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% by the year 2020, while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20%.

American Heart Association YouTube ChannelAHA OfficialGoRed4Women's YouTube Channel

Saturday, February 12, 2011

'Lincoln Portrait': Music of Copland, Words of a Leader

2009 Lincoln Bicentennial 4 of 4- Lincoln the President
By the time Lincoln was inaugurated on March 4, 1861, seven southern states had already seceded and formed the Confederacy (the rest joined in April). Seeking initially to preserve the Union, then eventually working to end slavery, Lincoln struggled against the Confederacy as well as his own military. He learned the ways of a war leader quickly and was able, after four bloody years, to bring the conflict to a close in 1865. He was not able to enjoy the fruits of victory or lead the effort to reconcile the nation, the victim of assassination on April 14, 1865.

VOA Learning English: 'Lincoln Portrait': Music of Copland, Words of a Leader

Abraham Lincoln, born February 12, 1809, was the 16th US president. He led a civil war to keep the states united THIS IS AMERICA (download mp3)

Friday, February 11, 2011

President Obama on a Historic Day in Egypt



wh.gov: President Obama on a Historic Day in Egypt
President Obama speaks on the situation in Egypt following the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, saying the U.S. supports the Egyptian people and stands ready to assist as the country moves towards a genuine democracy. February 11, 2011.

West Wing Week: 2/11/11 or "The New Electrification"



West Wing Week: 2/11/11 or "The New Electrification"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week, President Obama focused on the second part of his State of the Union goals of out-innovating, out-building, and out-competing the rest of the world, putting forward plans to build up the nation's infrastructure, investing in things like high speed rail, and expanding broadband access so all of America's families will be equipped to win the future. The Prime Minister of Canada also dropped by.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

USCIS Open House in San Jose


On Friday, Febuary 11 join the Milpitas Adult School Citizenship Students for USCIS SJ Open House activities:

  • 10:30am Meet in Room 703, eat snacks, form carpools, watch Citizenship dvds
  • 12 noon Leave Milpitas Adult School in carpools
  • 12:30pm Lunch (dutch treat) at Pho Ha, 951 Mc Laughlin Ave, San Jose, CA 95122
  • 2-4:00pm USCIS Open House, USCIS Field Office, 1887 Monterey Road, San Jose, California 95112.
  • We will probably return to Milpitas Adult School before 3:30pm

USCIS San Jose Field Office invites Silicon Valley community stakeholders and the general public to open house to meet USCIS personnel and learn more about the agency’s programs. The effort is designed to enhance USCIS’s presence in the community and strengthen its partnership with stakeholders.

“We are opening our offices throughout the country to the communities we serve,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “This is a continuation of our ongoing efforts to be transparent and open in our delivery of services to the public.”

San Jose attendees will tour USCIS offices, witness mock naturalization interviews, watch InfoPass demos, and talk to USCIS staff. This will be a great opportunity to preview the USCIS Naturalization interview.

For more info about more USCIS Open Houses, see: Upcoming Local Engagements in Your Area

Check out USCitizenPod's pictures from the SF USCIS Open House

Also coming up:
Citizenship Day! / Dia De Ciudadania!
Sat, April 9, 8:30am – 5:30pm
CET, 701 Vine St. San Jose Ca 95110

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Obama Urges Businesses to Invest in America

USCIS 100:11. What is the economic system in the United States?*



VOAVideo: Obama Urges Businesses to Invest in America

President Barack Obama urged business leaders at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Monday to work more closely with his administration to improve the job picture and bolster economic growth in the United States. The president, who has often been at odds with the business community, reminded corporate leaders of their shared responsibility and promised to do more to help American businesses maintain their competitive edge. Mil Arcega reports.

USCIS 100:11. What is the economic system in the United States?*
* capitalist economy
* market economy

Monday, February 7, 2011

US Prayer Breakfast Brings Together Lawmakers, International Leaders



VOAVideo: US Prayer Breakfast Brings Together Lawmakers, International Leaders

The annual National Prayer Breakfast meeting Thursday in Washington brought together members of the U.S. Congress, a few world leaders, a Chilean miner and the husband of Gabrielle Giffords who was shot and injured last month at a political event in Arizona, VOA's Ravi Khanna has more on the story.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

New Readers Press Citizenship program











New Readers Press Order $100 or more of New Readers Press Citizenship materials(s) by March 31st, 2011 and receive a FREE gift. Call 800-448-8878 and mention promotion code: CITS11 or download the order form at http://www.newreaderspress.com/

Adult Education, ESL and Citizenship, Citizenship Passing the Test
http://www.newreaderspress.com/
The Citizenship: Passing the Test program provides all of the skills and concepts needed to pass the Civics and Literacy tests and to prepare for the interview.

A complete teacher resource for the Citizenship: Passing the Test program including guidelines and teaching suggestions (48 pages)Student Pack

  • (1) Civics and Literacy Student Book
  • (1) Civics and Literacy Audio
  • (1) Literacy Skills Workbook
  • (1) Literacy Skills Audio
  • (1) Ready for the Interview Student Book
  • (1) Ready for the Interview Audio
  • A FREE Teacher's Guide is included with each Student Pack order

Saturday, February 5, 2011

USCIS on YouTube: The Citizenship Interview and Test


This week, we will feature the videos from from the new USCIS Channel on YouTube



USCIS: The Citizenship Interview and Test

Informative description of the naturalization process including a sample interview and test.

USCIS Channel on YouTube

USCIS secures America's promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system.

Friday, February 4, 2011

West Wing Week: "Dispatches from Sudan"



wh.gov: West Wing Week: "Dispatches from Sudan"

Today the official preliminary results from the historic referendum in Sudan were released. The people of Southern Sudan appear to have voted overwhelmingly in support of independence: total turnout was about 97 percent with almost 99 percent of voters casting their ballots to create the world's newest nation. West Wing Week was on the ground in Sudan during the week-long referendum, traveling to all parts of the country with the President's Special Envoy, General Scott Gration. We went behind the scenes at polling stations from Juba to Khartoum, met some of the international community who helped to ensure the vote was fair and peaceful, and traveled to Darfur to inspect conditions and learn about the commitment of the United States to peace in this region after decades of civil war.

VOANews: 99% of Southern Sudanese Vote for Independence

Nearly final referendum results show just 45,000 out of 3.8 million voters supported continued unity with north

VOANews: Choosing a New Name for a New Southern Sudan

Consensus seems to be forming that the newly independent country will call itself 'South Sudan'

Thursday, February 3, 2011

New Year, New Podcast: USCS 100:10 Freedom of Religion


MP3 USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

· You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

PDF USCIS 100:10. M638 Quick Civic Lesson, more historical background, USPS stamps, and dictation!

1. New Year Day is January 1st.

2. New York City was the first capital of the United States

3. You are free to practice any reigion or not practice a religion.

USPS Lunar New Year Stamp

Happpy Lunar New Year from USCitizenPod
and Milpitas Adult School Citizenship class!

USPS.com: On Jan. 22, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the fourth of twelve stamps in its Celebrating Lunar New Year series, which began in 2008 with the Year of the Rat. The Year of the Rabbit begins on Feb. 3, 2011, and ends on Jan. 22, 2012.

The Lunar New Year is celebrated primarily by people of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tibetan, and Mongolian heritage in many parts of the world. In the United States as elsewhere, the occasion is marked in various ways across a diverse array of cultures. Parades, parties, and other special events are common.

Kumquats, such as those depicted in the stamp art, are given as gifts and eaten for luck at this time of renewed hope for the future.

Famous people born in the Year of the Rabbit include film director Francis Ford Coppola, athlete Michael Jordan, and actress Drew Barrymore.

Art director Ethel Kessler worked on the series with illustrator Kam Mak, an artist who grew up in New York City’s Chinatown and now lives in Brooklyn. The illustration was originally created using oil paints on panel.

Kessler’s design also incorporates elements from the previous series of Lunar New Year stamps, using Clarence Lee’s intricate paper-cut design of a rabbit and the Chinese character—drawn in grass-style calligraphy by Lau Bun—for "Rabbit."

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

USCIS on YouTube: USCIS.gov: Where to Start

USCIS VIDEOS ARE NOW ON YOUTUBE!!!

This week, we will feature the videos
USCIS.gov: Where to Start

In September 2009, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services redesigned its Web site, USCIS.gov. This video provides a brief overview of the new site. It is also available on the USCIS.gov site