Saturday, December 31, 2016

Hamilton at the White House



wh.gov: Hamilton at the White House

On March 14, 2016, the President and First Lady hosted local students and the cast of Broadway musical Hamilton for a daylong celebration of the arts in America. Watch the cast perform musical selections "Alexander Hamilton" and "Schuyler Sisters" in the East Room.

Also see:



USCIS 100: 67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

▪ (James) Madison
▪ (Alexander) Hamilton
▪ (John) Jay
▪ Publius

Friday, December 30, 2016

A Look Back at the 2016 US Presidential Race



VOA Learning English: A Look Back at the 2016 US Presidential Race

In 2016, Americans voted for a new president. The result was a surprise to many people. Learning English takes a look back at what happened along the way in this unusual election year.
Originally published at -http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/a-look-back-at-the-2016-us-presidential-race/3657918.html

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Pearl Harbor Victims Honored by Obama, Japan's PM Abe



VOA News: Pearl Harbor Victims Honored by Obama, Japan's PM Abe

Seventy-five years after Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II killed 2,400 American servicemen, President Barack Obama and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a historic visit to the memorial to honor the victims, and to stress the message of reconciliation. Jesusemen Oni reports.


Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Lewis and Clark: An American Adventure Story

USCIS 100:71. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?



VOA Learning english: Lewis and Clark: An American Adventure Story

Originally published at http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/the-making-of-a-nation-lewis-and-clark/3632753.html


USCIS 100:71. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

  • the Louisiana Territory
  • Louisiana

Monday, December 26, 2016

A Citizenship Quiz for Kwanzaa

A Citizenship Quiz for Kwanzaa
mp3: https://goo.gl/IqLgwj
pdf: https://goo.gl/byK0vR
post: 2017 resources
Today's podcast matches the seven principles of Kwanzaa with seven USCIS civics questions. Are any of the Kwanzaa principles similar to your community's values?



What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration (Dec 25 to Jan 1) held in the United States to honor universal African heritage and culture.


Kwanzaa is a celebration that came out of the black nationalist movement of the 1960s.


It was created as a way to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage.


Every night, people light a candle on a kinara (candle holder) which represent the following principles:


Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith


Source: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Merry Christmas from the President, the First Lady, and US Citizenship Podcast!



wh.gov: Merry Christmas from the President and the First Lady (video)

In this week’s address, the President and the First Lady wished all Americans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Listen and Read along: President Obama - video caption - Dec 24th, 2016 - Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Listen and Read Along: Merry Christmas from the President and First Lady (just the captions)
Merry
uscitizenpod: A Citizenship Quiz for Christmas mp3  pdf

Christmas is a national U.S. holiday.   Christians celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ.  All Americans look forward to a long holiday of family, food, and fun. Here is a list of historical events which occurred on Christmas Eve (Dec 24) or Christmas Day Dec (25) plus ten Citizenship questions.

Also check out: 

A brief history (and puzzle) of Washington Crossing the Delaware, Christmas Night 1776 (download pdf)

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Let's Learn English Holiday Greeting



VOA Learning English: Let's Learn English Holiday Greeting

At this time of year, the team at Let's Learn English is spending time with their families and friends. We share the holiday traditions with you in this video.

Originally published at - http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lets-learn-english-holiday-greeting/3648376.html

More from VOA News and VOA Learning English

VOA Learning English: The History of Christmas in America 

In the first half of the 19th century, Christmas was a very different kind of holiday than it is today. People did not have a set way of celebrating. Christmas was not even an official holiday yet.
(read) (listen)

VOA Learning English: Holiday Displays in Washington, DC

From the U.S. Botanic Garden, to Union Station to the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. lights up colorfully over the winter holidays. We take you on a walking tour of the magical seasonal sights. (read more)

VOANews: Scenic Wonderland Cheers Holiday Spirit at Botanic Garden

Holiday cheer abounds at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. It is one of the nation’s most popular public gardens, with more than 1.3 million visitors each year. During this holiday season, the living plant museum is greeting visitors with imaginative displays featuring oversized flowers, bees, birds and butterflies, all created with plant materials. VOA’s June Soh gives us a tour of the garden’s scenic wonderland.  Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/scenic-wonderland-cheers-holiday-spirit-at-botanic-garden/3117124.html

Friday, December 23, 2016

USCIS Fee Changes Take Effect Dec. 23

USCIS Fee Changes Take Effect Dec. 23
USCIS.gov: USCIS reminds applicants and petitioners to pay our new fees with forms postmarked or filed on or after Dec. 23, 2016, or we will not be able to accept the filings. We will only accept previous fees if they are postmarked Dec. 22 or earlier. 
Beginning on Dec. 23, you will no longer have a 14-day grace period to correct a failed fee payment. USCIS will immediately reject a benefit request for nonpayment. We will also no longer hold benefit requests submitted without the correct biometric services fees.  You must pay biometric services fees, if applicable, at the time of filing.  We will reject a benefit request if it is received without the correct biometric services fee, as specified in the form instructions.
Along with the fee changes, we are introducing a reduced fee option for certain low-income naturalization applicants who do not qualify for a fee waiver. For eligibility details and filing instructions, see Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee, and Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
USCIS is funded almost entirely by fees. Read our Oct. 24 news release about our first fee increase in 6 years, which is needed to recover the full cost of services. These include the costs associated with fraud detection and national security, customer service and case processing, and providing services without charge or fee waivers and exemptions for those who are eligible.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Undocumented US Immigrants Learn Rights in Case of Crackdown



VOANews: Undocumented US Immigrants Learn Rights in Case of Crackdown

n many parts of the U.S., local groups are teaching undocumented immigrants their rights in the event they are detained by law enforcement, a mission that has become more urgent in the face of President-elect Donald Trump's promises to be tough on immigration. VOA's Aline Barros and Christina Smit went to a workshop in Hyattsville, Maryland, near Washington, that teaches immigrants their rights.
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/a/3644834.html

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Electoral College Citizenship Quizzes



Electoral College Citizenship Quizzes

Part 1: U.S. Civics 
mp3: https://goo.gl/v0ekKs
pdf: https://goo.gl/0BSdyq

Part 2: U.S. History 
mp3: https://goo.gl/2tzFWW
pdf: https://goo.gl/LvfWri














George Washington, the Chairman of the Convention spoke. 
“The Illustrated Story of American Presidents ” – The World Around Us- A Classics Illustrated Comic 1960.

Source: https://envisioningtheamericandream.com/2016/11/10/whats-up-with-the-electoral-college/

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

US Electoral College Casts Presidential Votes



VOA News: US Electoral College Casts Presidential Votes

The 2016 presidential election is officially over. Finally. Almost. The 538 members of the Electoral College cast their votes Monday. And though Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by a margin of almost 3 million, the Electoral College elected Donald Trump the 45th President of the United States. From Washington, Arash Arabasadi reports how that was possible.
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/a/3643241.html


More updated Electoral College Resources at https://goo.gl/Xcycr4

Monday, December 19, 2016

Confusing US Electoral Process Continues to Raise Questions



VOANews: Confusing US Electoral Process Continues to Raise Questions

American voters had their say more than a month ago. But in terms of the U.S. Constitution, the president is still to be chosen. That is because of a system dreamed up by the founders of the United States, who never trusted the public to make a wise decision. VOA's Carolyn Presutti explains.

Read more:



More resources about the Electoral College

Sunday, December 18, 2016

New Americans



ArizonaPublicMedia: New Americans

The United States is a nation of immigrants and each year thousands of new immigrants take the oath of allegiance to the U.S. at naturalization ceremonies across the country. We attended one recently at the DeConcini Federal Courthouse in Tucson, Arizona.​

Friday, December 16, 2016

Generational Experiences of Asian Americans



wh.gov: Generational Experiences of Asian Americans

The program will highlight the generational experiences of Asian Americans, including Japanese-Americans placed in internment camps during World War II, as well as modern day challenges facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Muslim, Arab, Sikh, and South Asian (MASSA) communities today.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

NEW PODCAST: Bill of Rights Interview and Quiz 2016


In response to federal legislation about national security and immigration, the USCIS expanded the Moral Character, Acts of Violence, and Crime sections of the N-400 in 2014.  This action was taken to safe guard the basic rights of all those living in America, and to have legal recourse if a legal permanent resident or new citizen was found to have engaged in past violent crimes.

This interview and quiz explores the link between the Bill of Rights and the N-400 part 12.  This is a very detailed interview and quiz, so please download the pdf.  

The Bill of Rights and the N-400 Part 12 plus Civics Questions

Listen for and and circle the key words. 

Think about and discuss the connections that you see between each amendment of the Bill of Rights and the N-400 Part 12  questions.

After the interview, Teacher Lisa Lau will discuss the importance of the Bill of rights and how to prepare for the citizenship interview.  he will speak in Cantonese for a minute, and then will summarize her remarks in English.


Also check out our resources for Human Rights Day http://www.uscitizenpod.com/2016/12/human-rights-day.html

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Important info about the N-400 (was: Milpitas Adult School's Citizenship Class 32)

Milpitas Adult School Student--classes are cancelled for all day and evening students. We are testing new students. Please read the following notice and practice with the USCIS civics questions below. Thank you.

Important information about the N-400 application from USCIS.gov

Starting December 23, 2016, applicants must use only the 12/23/16 edition of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. USCIS will reject earlier versions of the form after that date.  Applications postmarked or filed on or after Dec. 23 must also include the new fees or USCIS will not be able to accept them.

Special Note for Applicants at Group Processing Events

For applicants who received help completing their Form N-400 at an immigration group processing event (such as a citizenship workshop or fair), the sponsoring organization must provide its name, address, and contact information in Part 14 (for interpreters) and Part 15 (for preparers).

 The sponsoring organization must also type or write the name of the organization representative who was responsible for managing the event, and the representative must sign and date the completed Form N-400.

 The representative’s signature must be handwritten (a photocopy of an original handwritten signature is acceptable, but a stamped signature is not acceptable). USCIS will no longer accept stamps or stickers in the preparer and interpreter sections. 

 The representative may be required to later provide additional information or answer questions about the event and procedures.

 For information on how to complete the revised form, visit www.uscis.gov/n-400. For eligibility requirements, refer to our Guide to Naturalization.

**Note that  N-400 applicants whose documented annual household income is greater than 150% but not more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline may request for a reduced application fee on the new Form I-942. 

2016-12-14 Further Comments from a USCIS Community Liaison:

Once the below stakeholder message was issued yesterday, there have been several questions along the lines of “What, there is going to be a 12/23 version of the N-400? Why? What has changed?”

  • The answer is that the only change between the current 9/29/2016 version and the upcoming 12/23/2016 version is the fee information.
  • Basically, the form has been updated to reflect the new fee that will go into effect on 12/23/2016. So on that date, there will be a new version posted on 12/23/16
  • As for whether you can use prior versions (and for how long) please watch out for further alerts. As a reminder, it is always a good idea to check our website for the latest information

Please always feel free to contact Your community laison if you have comments, questions oryou can always Ask Emma. 


Get ready for your citizenship interview with the USCIS 100 Civics Questions Playlist

Monday, December 12, 2016

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Kids, teens from various countries take citizenship oath on CA Senate floor

Teacher Jennifer--These Sacramento-area young adults (YAs) acquired citizenship through their parents.  
  • Children under 18 automatically acquire US citizenship when their parents naturalize. 
  •  Although the Certificate of Citizenship (N-600) is optional (Before Dec 23 $600! After Dec 23: $1170) or college apps, military, etc. 
  • Better to get early because citizenship derived through parents is more difficult to prove later.




A citizenship ceremony was held on the California Senate floor for the first time Monday. Twenty kids and teens from dozens of countries took their oath of citizenship in front of their loved ones. Subscribe to KCRA on YouTube now for more: http://bit.ly/1kjRAAn

Teacher Jennifer--For more details about an N-600 oath ceremony, go to my slightly edited transcript of my live tweeter feed during the USCIS SF N-600 Citizenship Ceremony, Spring 2014  

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Human Rights Day!



HRAC: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (video)

More videos:

More resources:

USCIS 100:9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
  • life
  • liberty
  • pursuit of happiness