Thursday, April 30, 2015

Citizenship Eligibility: a Google Drive Class Project



uscitizenpodclass: Citizenship Eligibility: a Google Drive Class Project
http://goo.gl/aZ1l8Z

Many applicants stumble on the Citizenship Interview Question: Explain how you are eligible to become a US Citizen. Milpitas Adult School Citizenship students collaborated via Google Drive to practice this very important question.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Monday, April 27, 2015

From human trafficking victim to survivor

NPR weekend Marketplace Money: From human trafficking victim to survivor

Lizzie O'Leary and Jenny Ament Apr 24, 2015
One woman describes her journey from invisible to visible.
For several years, Rama was virtually invisible to the outside world.
In 2003, she was sold by her late husband's family in southern India to work for a doctor in California. She was effectively housebound, working without pay for more than three years, with no real idea where she was.
"Every day I would hear, 'You don't have papers, we could do anything to you,'" she says.
She was eventually able to escape, working a series of other jobs below minimum wage in other doctors' homes for a few more years.
In 2012, she got help from the South Asian Network, or SAN. That's when she was able to get her T Visa, for victims of trafficking. Listen to the full story: 

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Human Trafficking Plagues Houston

USCIS N-400r Part 11:30B. Have you ever been a prostitute or procured anyone for prostitution?



VOANEWS: Human Trafficking Plagues Houston

Authorities worldwide are fighting human trafficking rings that exploit migrants and force young women into prostitution. The U.S. Justice Department estimates that one in four women trafficked in the United States passes through Houston, Texas, at some point because it is an international and domestic

For more info, please see:

Victims of Human Trafficking & Other Crimes | USCIS

www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/victims-human-trafficking-other-crimes
There are two types of immigration relief we provide to victims of human trafficking and other crimes: Nonimmigrant Status (T Visa) and U Visa.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

ESL Podcast 1089 – Unconventional Marriages

Need more help with English? Check out ESLPod.com--their Introduction to the United States is of special interest to Citizenship students.

Who want to get married and live happily ever after? Learn how not to do it on this episode. 
Download Podcast 

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Day One: Share Your American Story

The New Americans Project
Day One: Share Your American Story
https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/immigration/new-americans

America's story-telling tradition is as old as our nation itself.

And as a nation of immigrants, those stories are rich and diverse. Whether you've recently embarked on your first day as an American or want to share how your ancestors came to arrive here, telling your story will help promote a sense of inclusiveness and understanding.

We'll promote these stories across White House channels, and compile them in a memo to the President as a follow-up to the Task Force's Action Plan.

Susan from Dohuk, Iraq Talks about her Citizenship Interview

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

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

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Volunteer and Support the New Americans Project

wh.gov: The New Americans Project
We can make every American feel welcome — and make our communities stronger in the process.

New Americans
Find a volunteer opportunity to learn more about your community and life in the United States. Many Americans volunteer a few hours each week or month with a local school, place of worship, neighborhood association, hospital or other organizations. Become a volunteer and help America!
U.S. Citizens
Support the New Americans Project by helping immigrants and newcomers learn English, learn about America, and settle in the United States. Use the search box below to find an opportunity to teach an English class, teach American history and civics, or help an immigrant settle in his or her new community.

Friday, April 17, 2015

West Wing Week: 04/17/2015 or, “The Quintessential Sounds”



wh.gov: West Wing Week: 04/17/2015 or, “The Quintessential Sounds”

This week, the President wrapped up a trip to Panama, held a historic meeting with President Raul Castro of Cuba, grooved with Gospel artists, held a town hall about working families, and kicked off a Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride. That's April 10th to April 16th or, "The Quintessential Sounds."

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Huang Yanli's Citizenship Interview



uscitizenpod: Huang Yanli's Citizenship Interview https://youtu.be/poHYm7FGZu4


Huang Yanli practices for her Citizenship Interview. She is answering questions from uscitizenpod's A “Typical” Citizenship Interview Based on the USCIS N-400r (4 pages) http://goo.gl/9Z97UK

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

US Marks 150th Anniversary of Lincoln's Assassination



VOAVideo: US Marks 150th Anniversary of Lincoln's Assassination

The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln 150 years ago changed the course of U.S. history. As Julie Taboh reports, museums and historic institutions across the country are featuring special exhibits, plays and musical performances to commemorate that seminal event on April 14, 1865.

USCIS 100:72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
▪ War of 1812
▪ Mexican-American War
▪ Civil War
▪ Spanish-American War

USCIS 100:73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
▪ the Civil War
▪ the War between the States

USCIS 100:74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
▪ slavery
▪ economic reasons
▪ states’ rights

USCIS 100:75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*
▪ freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
▪ saved (or preserved) the Union
▪ led the United States during the Civil War

USCIS 100:76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
▪ freed the slaves
▪ freed slaves in the Confederacy
▪ freed slaves in the Confederate states
▪ freed slaves in most Southern states

Monday, April 13, 2015

Guide to the US Presidential Campaign, Part One


Every four years Americans go to the polls in November to pick a president. Americans will elect the next president in November of 2016. Although the election is still more than a year away, candidates have been announcing they are running. The candidates will compete in caucuses and primaries.

Read more
download mp3

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Hilary Clinton: Getting Started



Hilary Clinton: Getting Started

Hilary Rodham Clinton announces that she is running for President.

VOA Learning English: Hillary Clinton Announces 2016 Campaign for President

“I’m running for president." Hillary Clinton kicks off her anticipated campaign for the presidency with a video posted on YouTube. With her second run for the White House, the former first lady and Secretary of State is hoping to become the first female president of the United States.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

About the U.S.A.

About the U.S.A. is an American Studies reader that examines the customs, government, and history of the United States of America. The text provides a wealth of information on U.S. geography and history; the roles of local, state, and federal government; national holidays and symbols; the Constitution; and citizenship. The book, which was written for intermediate to advanced learners of English, contains a range of activities for language students to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Triet talks about his Citizenship Interview (English and Vietnamese)



uscitizenpod: Triet talks about his Citizenship Interview (English and Vietnamese)
https://youtu.be/SsNYwJFr7pk

Jennifer and Huyen interviews Triet about his Citizenship Interview in English and Vietnamese. The students ask him some questions about the interview and then have a party to celebrate his success. Chúc Mừng!

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Monday, April 6, 2015

Despite First Amendment, Religious Freedom Has Not Been Easy in America

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?



VOAVideo: Despite First Amendment, Religious Freedom Has Not Been Easy in America

Religious freedom laws sponsored by opponents of same-sex marriage in Indiana, Arkansas and other states have recently triggered fierce protests from gay rights groups that have led lawmakers to roll back some of the legislation. But as VOA religion correspondent Jerome Socolovsky reports, the fight over religious liberty goes back to the founding of the republic.
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/2705171.html

VOA Learning English: Religious Freedom Acts Raise Controversy in US 
Indiana and Arkansas recently passed – then considered changing – religious freedom laws. Nineteen other states have such laws to protect religious minorities. However, the new laws expand some religious protections to organizations. Some say the laws threaten the civil rights of homosexuals.--read and listen to the story then take the quiz!

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

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