West Wing Week 04/25/14 or, "POTUS Dreams of Sushi"

wh.gov: West Wing Week 04/25/14 or, "POTUS Dreams of Sushi"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week, the White House celebrated Easter, and the President began a week-long trip to Asia, while the First Lady and Dr. Biden hosted a Career Forum on Veterans Jobs.

Study: Immigrants Benefit NYC Economy, Quality of Life

VOAVideo: Study: Immigrants Benefit NYC Economy, Quality of Life

New York has long been a magnet for immigrants looking for a better life. A new independent research study also shows that immigrants help the city thrive as well. VOA's Adam Phillips has more.

NorCal CATESOL Citizenship Prep presentation

NorCal CATESOL Citizenship Prep Presentation

New USPS Stamp: RED, WHITE, AND BLUE

New USPS Stamp: RED, WHITE, AND BLUE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE: April 25, 2014 • San Francisco, CA 94188

Celebrate America with the Red, White, and Blue issuance. Each of the four stamps features a modern interpretation of a flying flag, complete with six red and white wavy stripes and a handful of five-pointed stars.  (read more)

Immigrant-Friendly NYC Mayor Pushes Official IDs for All

Immigrant-Friendly NYC Mayor Pushes Official IDs for All

mmigration advocates in the United States continue to press for sweeping reforms that will clear a path to citizenship for all immigrants, including those without valid visas, and grant them access to many of the benefits and protections that U.S. citizens enjoy. VOA's Adam Phillips files this report from immigrant-rich New York, where the new mayor is hoping to implement a new universal identity card program that will help undocumented immigrants move into the city's mainstream.

10 Citizenship Questions in Honor of Earth Day

Prepare for Earth festivities with a new quiz: 10 Citizenship Questions in Honor of Earth Day

Download pdf

GO GREEN Forever stamp series

USCIS 100: 55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

uscitizenpod: GO GREEN with USPS Stamps

In honor of Earth Day 2011 and in celebration of the new USPS GO GREEN Forever stamp series, US Citizenship Podcast presents a collection of stamps reflecting America's ongoing commitment to make EARTH DAY, EVERY DAY!

USCIS 100: 55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

▪ vote
▪ join a political party
▪ help with a campaign
▪ join a civic group
▪ join a community group
▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue
▪ call Senators and Representatives
▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
▪ run for office
▪ write to a newspaper

How American Money is Made

USCIS 100:41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. 

What is one power of the federal government?

VOAVideo: How American Money is Made (VOA On Assignment Feb. 28, 2014)

VOA's Julie Taboh talks with On Assignment's Rebecca Ward about her visit to the Washington headquarters of the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which makes the nation's dollar bills.

USCIS 100:41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

▪ to print money
▪ to declare war
▪ to create an army
▪ to make treaties

Although this video was posted in February, I posting it today in memory of Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790).

USCIS 100:68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

▪ U.S. diplomat
▪ oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
▪ first Postmaster General of the United States
▪ writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”
▪ started the first free libraries

MLK and Cherry Blossoms

USCIS 100:85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

uscitizenpod: MLK and Cherry Blossoms

Here are some photos of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial and Cherry Blossoms. I will post the video of the fountains, etc at a later date.

USCIS 100:85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

▪ fought for civil rights
▪ worked for equality for all Americans

Cherry Blossom Centennial Stamps

USPS: Cherry Blossom Centennial Stamps

In 2012, the U. S. Postal Service commemorates the centennial of the gift of more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees from the city of Tokyo to the city of Washington, D.C with the Cherry Blossom Centennial (Forever®) stamp design. The two stamps, which are near mirror images, form the left and right halves of a panoramic view of blooming cherry trees surrounding the Tidal Basin. The stamp on the left depicts blossoming trees arching over two girls dressed in bright kimonos, and a family on a stroll with the Washington Monument in the background. On the second stamp, the Jefferson Memorial forms the backdrop for tourists taking in the sights under a canopy of pink blooms.

West Wing Week: 4/18/14 or, "Pull Together, Fight Back, and Win"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 4/18/14 or, "Pull Together, Fight Back, and Win"

This week, the President nominated Sylvia Burwell as Secretary of Health and Human Services, hosted an Easter Prayer Breakfast and a Passover Seder, discussed immigration reform with Faith leaders, welcomed the Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride, announced a major milestone in the continued implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and hit the road to New York City and Oakdale, Pennsylvania.

Washington Cherry Trees Sign of Harmony, Friendship with Japan

I just returned from Tokyo so I really appreciated this video from VOA News whose Washington DC headquarters I visited last year--Teacher Jennifer.

VOAVideo: Washington Cherry Trees Sign of Harmony, Friendship with Japan

Washington's iconic cherry trees were originally a gift to thank the United States for recognizing Japan as a member of the international community. More than 100 years after their arrival, the trees are a symbol of the relationship between the two countries, the brevity of life, and the beauty of nature. VOA's David Byrd spoke with U.S Park Ranger Brad Berger about the trees, what they represent, and what they have come to symbolize for millions of visitors to Washington each year.

USCIS Volunteer Training

USCIS VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Introduction

Volunteers are vital to the success of adult citizenship education programs. This series of training modules provides essential introductory information to volunteers in adult citizenship education classrooms or other learning environments. These training modules are designed to provide volunteers with a basic understanding of adult second language acquisition and the naturalization process, including the interview and test. After reviewing the modules, volunteers can use this information to help prepare learners for the naturalization process. The volunteer modules can be reviewed in any order.

Module 1: Understanding the Naturalization Process

This module will provide you with a basic understanding of the naturalization process.

Module 2: Learning About Who Applies for Naturalization

This module will provide you with a basic understanding of who is applying for naturalization and the benefits and privileges of U.S. citizenship.

Module 3: Meeting the Educational Needs of Adult Learners

This module will provide you with a basic understanding of the characteristics and educational needs of adult learners as well as how their needs are different from other learners.

Module 4: Identifying the English Language Skills and Civics Knowledge Needed for Naturalization

This module will provide you with a basic understanding of the English language skills and civics knowledge needed for the naturalization interview and test.

Module 5: Helping Adult Learners Prepare for the Naturalization Interview and Test

This module will provide you with basic strategies for helping adult learners acquire the English language skills and civics knowledge they will need for the naturalization interview and test.

Module 6: Developing a Lesson Plan

This module will provide you with basic ideas on how to prepare and develop a lesson plan.

Module 7: Assessing if Learners are Making Progress

This module will provide you with basic ways to assess learner proficiency levels and how to determine if learners are making progress.

Module 8: Finding Additional Materials and Resources

This module will provide you with links to educational resources.

New Quiz for April 15 Income Tax Day!

New Citizenship Quiz: Fifteen Questions for April 15 Income Tax Day!

Download PDF

USCIS Grant Program

USCIS Grant Program

FY 2014 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program Funding Opportunity Announcement

On April 1, 2014, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting applications for a competitive grant funding opportunity to promote immigrant civic integration and prepare permanent residents for citizenship. USCIS will offer up to $10 million in competitive funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. This funding opportunity is for public or non-profit organizations that prepare permanent residents for citizenship by offering both citizenship instruction and naturalization application services. Applications are due by May 16, 2014. Find out how to apply.

Revised N-400 Section 11 Overview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 11 Overview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Citizenship Day in San Jose April 12

Citizenship Day in San Jose April 12
http://www.immigrantinfo.org/events/Citizenship_day/CD_Schedule_041214.pdf

Santa Clara County residents are invited to participate in the Annual Citizenship Day on April 12, 2014. 

The SCC Citizenship Collaborative holds an annual Citizenship Day in 14 languages.  This year marks the 17th year and the 25^rdCitizenship Day in Santa Clara County.  It is the only event of its type in the nation as outreach and presentations occur simultaneously in 14 languages.  Last year, the event had over 1,200 participants.

This year the event take place on April 12 from 9 am to 3 pm. 

San José City College Tech Building (Corner of S. Bascom Ave & Moorpark Ave) 600 South Bascom Avenue San Jose, CA 95128 Go to http://www.immigrantinfo.org/events/Citizenship_day/CD_Schedule_041214.pdf for the schedule of orientations in various languages:

·  Amharic

·  Arabic 

·  Chinese Traditional

·  Chinese Simplified

·  English 

·  Farsi 

·  Korean 

·  Russian 

·  Somalian  

·  Spanish 

·  Tagalog 

·  Tigrinya

·  Vietnamese 

Presentations will be held in English and Spanish in Gilroy at:

St. Francis Center 7950 Church St. Gilroy, CA 95020

  

Please  share the information with your clients, family and neighbors if you think they might be interested.  Thank you much, T

Teresa Castellanos

Immigrant Relations & Integration Servcies

2310 N. First Street, Suite 100

San Jose, CA 95131

Revised N-400 Section 10 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 10 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 9 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 9 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 8 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 8 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 7 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 7 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 6 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 6 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 5 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 5 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 4 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 4 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 3 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 3 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 2 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 2 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 1 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 1 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.  Corrected 4/15/14!

More scripts will be posted in April.

Easy Interview based on the Revised N-400

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Easy Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf

I just noticed an error on question 11. I will fix it when I. Return on vacation April 14. Sorry for the inconvenience.  FIXED! (04/13/14)

Simple Interview based on the Revised N-400

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Simple Interview based on the Revised N-400. More scripts will be posted in April.
Download pdf.

Also check out Notes from Building and Maintaining a Comprehensive Adult Citizenship Education Program Feb 19-20, 2014 USCIS San Francisco District Office

And these revised N-400 resources from USCIS:

USCIS Revised N-400 Application for Naturalization http://1.usa.gov/1dBDEwu

Instructions for the N-400 http://1.usa.gov/1k2LGQB

Video;  USCIS Revises Form N-400, Application for Naturalization http://bit.ly/1cDCByb

USCIS Presentation about the Revised N-400 http://1.usa.gov/1dBCLE5