Thursday, April 30, 2020

U.S. Citizenship 34, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School


N-400

  • On Monday May 5, we begin a deep dive into N-400 Part 12
  • N-400r Easy Interview Vocabulary http://goo.gl/50NyZu
Civics
Integration:
Extra Credit:
  • Listen and Read Along: American History - Part 019 - Birth of the Constitution - Part 5 - Big State vs Small State video
  • VOA Learning English: American History: A Struggle to Balance Power Between Big and Small States article
  • VOA Learning English: What Is the Gerrymandering? article and video
  • VOA Learning English: US Census Decides How Many Lawmakers to Send to Congress article and video
More Resources
  • U.S. Citizenship Resources for Ramadan post
  • Muslim American Citizenship Interviews and more! video playlist

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

U.S. Citizenship 33, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School


VOANews: What Is the US House of Representatives?

N-400

Civics
Integration:
  • A Citizenship Interview Quiz for Paulette Poujol-Oriol (Port-au-Prince, Haiti) pdf
Extra Credit:
  • VOA Learning English: What Is the House of Representatives? article
More Resources
  • U.S. Citizenship Resources for Ramadan post
  • Muslim American Citizenship Interviews and more! video playlist

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

U.S. Citizenship 32, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School



VOANews: What Is the US Senate?

N-400
Civics
Integration:
  • Citizenship Interview Quiz: América Griselda Ayes (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) pdf
Extra Credit:
  • VOA Learning English: What Is the US Senate? article
More Resources
  • U.S. Citizenship Resources for Ramadan post
  • Muslim American Citizenship Interviews and more! video playlist

Monday, April 27, 2020

U.S. Citizenship 31, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School



uscitizenpod: Travel Questions during the USCIS Interview with Dr Patricia Hernandez
uscitizenpod: Preguntas de Viaje durante la Entrevista de USCIS con Dr Patricia Hernandez (more details!)

N-400
Civics
Integration:
  • Claudia Rios Castro: A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about the Branches of Gov’t Part 1 pdf
Extra Credit:

Sunday, April 26, 2020

U.S. Citizenship Resources for Ramadan


A Citizenship Quiz for the Month of Ramadan




Videos
  • NEW: 2020 Muslim American Citizenship Interviews and more! playlist (50+ videos)
  • 2019 Citizenship Interview with Nahil Ireiqat (Jerusalem) and Juana Garcia  (Mexico) video
  • 2018 Citizenship Interview with Nahil Ireiqat (Jerusalem) and Josefina Rios (Mexico) mp3  video
  • 2018 Spring U.S. Citizenship Interview with Pari Akbari, Iran mp3 / video
  • Blessed Eid al-Adha! (video)
  • Interview with Samia Amed (Yemen) video / mp3
  • Milpitas Adult School Open House Citizenship Interview 1 (Teacher Nahil / Palestine) (video)
  • Milpitas Adult School Open House Citizenship Interview 2 (Kasim / Bangladesh) (video)
  • MST Saleha Khatun’s First Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • New US Citizen Minire Karamanaga (Bosnia/Yugoslavia) (2010) video
  • New US Citizen Sardar Habibi (Afghanistan) (English) (video)
  • New US Citizen Sardar Habibi (Afghanistan) (Farsi) (video)
  • Practice! Practice! Practice! (video)
  • Tasleem's First Practice Interview (Pakistan) video
  • Tasleem's Second Practice Interview (Pakistan) video
  • 2015 USCIS 100 Remix Round 1 Twos with Tasleem (Pakistan)  video
  • Tasleem Khaldoon talks about her Citizenship Interview (Pakistan) video

Interview Podcasts 
  • 2018 Citizenship Interview with Nahil Ireiqat (Jerusalem) and Josefina Rios (Mexico) mp3  video
  • 2018 Spring U.S. Citizenship Interview with Pari Akbari, Iran mp3 / video
  • 2016 Spring Citizenship Interview with Ali Akbari (Malyasia/Iran) (2016) mp3
  • An "Everyday" Citizenship Interview with Munni Thakkar (Mumbai, India) (2016) mp3
  • A Basic Citizenship Interview with Pari Akibari (Esfahan, Iran) (2007) (mp3)
  • Interview with Samia Amed (Yemen) video / mp3

Quizzes (pdf)
  • A Citizenship Quiz for the Month of Ramadan pdf  mp3  video
  • Citizenship Interview Quiz for Esam Omeish (Liberia) pdf
  • Citizenship Interview Quiz for Hushang Ansary (Iran) pdf
  • Citizenship Interview Quiz for Louay Safi pdf
  • Citizenship Interview Quiz for Mohamed Awad Elhassan pdf
  • Citizenship Interview Quiz for Nimco Ahmed (Libya) pdf
  • Citizenship Interview Quiz for Rend al-Rahim (Iraq) pdf
  • Citizenship Interview Quiz for Safa Aldabyani (Yemen) pdf

    VOA News (There are so many videos and articles--please search for more)

    Arabic
    Farsi
    • CLINIC: 100 Civics Questions in Farsi
    • ACLU: Immigrants' Rights: What To Do If Stopped (IN FARSI) (video)
    • ACLU: What To Do When Faced With Anti-Muslim Discrimination (in Farsi) (video)
    • CA DMV: California Driver Handbook (pdf)
    • John Q. Khosravi Law Firm (JQK Law Firm): Naturalization for Iranians (Farsi/Persian) سیتیزنشیپ وتابعیت امریکا برای ایرانیان (video)
    • MedicinePlus: Health Information in Farsi (فارسی) (web page)
    • SSA: Social Security Resources in Farsi (web page)
    • uscitizenpod: Citizenship Resources for Nowruz 2018 (blog post)
    • VOA Farsi
    Urdu
    For more resources, go to
    Check back for more resources!

    Saturday, April 25, 2020

    USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4



    uscitizenpod: USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4


    USCIS: USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4
    https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-offices-preparing-reopen-june-4

    On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS is readying offices to reopen on or after June 4. Employees in these offices are continuing to perform mission-essential services that do not require face-to-face contact with the public while the offices are closed.

    While offices are temporarily closed, USCIS will continue to provide limited emergency in-person services. Please call the USCIS Contact Center for assistance with emergency services.

    USCIS field offices will send notices to applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments and naturalization ceremonies impacted by the extended temporary closure. USCIS asylum offices will send interview cancellation notices and automatically reschedule asylum interviews. When the interview is rescheduled, asylum applicants will receive a new interview notice with the new time, date and location of the interview. When USCIS again resumes operations for in-person services, USCIS will automatically reschedule ASC appointments due to the temporary office closure. Individuals will receive a new appointment letter in the mail. Those who had InfoPass or other appointments must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center once field offices are open to the public again. Please check to see if the respective office has been reopened before calling the Contact Center.

    Please also visit https://www.uscis.gov/coronavirus for updates. For the latest information on the status of an office, visit https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-office-closings

    Oficinas de USCIS se Preparan para Reabrir el 4 de Junio
    https://www.uscis.gov/es/noticias/alertas/oficinas-de-uscis-se-preparan-para-reabrir-el-4-de-junio

    El 18 de marzo, el Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos suspendió temporalmente los servicios en persona en sus oficinas locales, oficinas de asilo y centros de asistencia en solicitudes (ASC, por sus siglas en inglés) para ayudar a frenar la propagación del coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS está en el proceso de preparar las oficinas para su reapertura en o después del 4 de junio. El equipo de trabajo de USCIS continúa brindando servicios esenciales para la misión, que no requieren contacto en persona con el público mientras las oficinas permanecen cerradas.

    Mientras las oficinas estén cerradas temporalmente, USCIS continuará los servicios en persona en limitadas situaciones de emergencia. Por favor, llame al Centro de Contacto de USCIS para asistencia con los servicios de emergencia.

    Las oficinas locales de USCIS enviarán notificaciones a los solicitantes y peticionarios con citas y ceremonias de naturalización programadas afectadas por el cierre temporal extendido. Las oficinas de asilo de USCIS enviarán notificaciones de cancelación y reprogramarán entrevistas de asilo automáticamente. Cuando se reprograme una entrevista, los solicitantes de asilo recibirán una nueva notificación de entrevista con una nueva hora, fecha, y lugar de la entrevista. Cuando USCIS reanude las operaciones para servicios en persona, UCIS reprogramará automáticamente las citas en el ASC debido al cierre temporal de la oficina. Las personas recibirán una nueva Notificación de Cita por correo postal. Las personas que tenían una cita InfoPass u otras citas, deben reprogramar su cita a través del Centro de Contacto de USCIS cuando abran nuevamente las oficinas al público. Por favor verifique si la oficina respectiva ya ha sido abierta antes de llamar al Centro de Contacto de USCIS.

    También, por favor visite https://www.uscis.gov/es/coronavirus para actualizaciones. Para la información actualizada sobre el estatus de oficinas, visite https://www.uscis.gov/es/estatus-oficinas

    Friday, April 24, 2020

    U.S. Citizenship 30, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School



    VOA News: Ali Safi: Immigrant's Success Creates Abundant Opportunities for Many Others


    N-400
    Civics
    Integration:

    • Citizenship Interview Quiz for Esam Omeish pdf 
    Extra credit:
    • NEW: VOANews: Different Countries, Different Scenarios, One Goal: Reopening the Economy (video)
    • Crash Course: Market Economy: Crash Course Government and Politics #46 (very fast) video
    • Simple Politics: What is Capitalism? (British accent, fast) video
    • Vocabulary Help: Learn English Words - Capitalism (Vocabulary Video)
    • VOA Learning English: Muslim Refugee Women Get a Taste of Starting a Business (article and audio)
    • VOANews: BanglaTown: Beleaguered Detroit Relying on Immigrants to Revitalize City (video)
    • VOANews: Customers and Store Owners’ Viewpoints of Ramadan Shopping (video)
    • April 23-May 23 Citizenship Resources for Ramadan post

    Thursday, April 23, 2020

    U.S. Citizenship 29, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School



    NBS Bay Area: REAL ID Explained: Everything You Need to Know
    It's become the source of headaches and delays at DMV offices across California: the new Federal driver's license security requirements known as REAL ID.

    N-400
    Civics

    Integration:
    • A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about the Branches of Gov’t Part 3 pdf
    Extra credit:
    • CA DMV: REAL ID – Application Guide (step by step) (video
      • This step-by-step information video explains the REAL ID program and prepares you to apply for a REAL ID driver license or identification card.  New federal ID requirements to fly within the U.S. and enter secure federal facilities and military bases begin October 1, 2020  October 1, 2021.   https://realid.dmv.ca.gov/
    • April 23-May 23 Citizenship Resources for Ramadan post

    Wednesday, April 22, 2020

    U.S. Citizenship 28, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School



    uscitizenpod: Three quick Citizenship Questions in Honor of Earth Day

    N-400
    Civics

    Integration:
    • Citizenship Interview Quiz for Louay Safi pdf
    Extra credit:
    EXTRA CREDIT: Earth Day, Arbor Day, and National Parks Weeks Resources
    Family Fun


    Tuesday, April 21, 2020

    U.S. Citizenship 27, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School



    US Courts: Rule of Law

    What does the rule of law mean, and how does it affect our daily lives? Nine federal judges explain how fair and consistent adherence to the law protects our rights and well-being in everyday situations like buying a breakfast sandwich, reading mail, and investing in the stock market. The video begins with a 2009 quote from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor: “I firmly believe in the rule of law as the foundation for all our basic rights.” (read more in the video's notes)

    N-400
    Civics
    Integration:
    • Citizenship Interview Quiz for Mohamed Awad Elhassan pdf
    Extra credit:
    • VOANews: Coronavirus Restrictions Raise Questions About Civil Rights (read)

      Monday, April 20, 2020

      U.S. Citizenship 26, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School

      Happy Patriots Day!





      Patriots' Day  is an annual event, formalized as several state holidays, commemorating the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and the Battle of Menotomy, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.

      Although Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord cancelled its annual Patriots Day celebration due to the coronavirus pandemic, the park is offering a lineup of virtual events so folks can still celebrate the 245th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
      The virtual events, taking place Saturday through Monday, include interviews, video montages, dramatic renditions, and “opportunities to experience the real events of April 19, 1775,” park officials said via a press release.


      Here is the schedule of virtual events, which you’ll find on the park’s website and Facebook page and YouTube channel.


      Minute Man in front of the Milpitas City Hall

      N-400
      Civics
      Integration:
      • Citizenship Interview Quiz: Héctor Sánchez (Maracay, Venezuela) pdf
      Extra Credit:
      • GCFLearnFree.org : How to Create and Manage a Gmail (email) account playlist
      • History: Paul Revere and the American Revolution - Fast Facts
      • USCIS: Change of Address page
      • uscitizenpod: Preamble Puzzle 
      • VOA Learning English: What does the Constitution Say?
        • PREAMBLE
          • We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

      Sunday, April 19, 2020

      Happy Pascha! A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Eastern Orthodox Christian Americans

      updated 5/01/2021; check back for an updated recording



      Happy Pascha! A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Eastern Orthodox Christian Americans  mp3 | pdf

      I wrote this quiz for several reasons. First, to honor Central/Eastern European-American Heritage. Second, to showcase the diversity in the American Christian community. Third, to celebrate Easter.

      In the past, Western Christians and the Eastern Orthodox have been divided by religion, history, and politics, but as Americans, we are united as one people.

      I would also like to introduce, Branka and Tony, from Canada and the former Yugoslavia. Branka is a longtime colleague who currently leads the Sacramento Adult Education Consortium and just finished her term on the COABE board.  Last year she became a U.S. citizen in 2017.

      Quiz answers:
      1. Colonists came to America for freedom.
      2. Freedom of religion is that you can practice any religion or not practice a religion.
      3. America bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803.
      4. The two parts of the US Congress are the Senate and the House of Representatives
      5. Dianne Feinstein is one of the two US senators from the state of California.
      6. Joe Biden is the current President of the United States.
      7. Kamala Harris is the current Vice-President of the United States.
      8. Gavin Newsom is the current Governor of California.
      9. The two major political parties are Democratic and Republican parties.
      10. The President's Cabinet advises the President.
      11. Ro Khanna is the US Representative of San Jose/Milpitas, California.
      12. Two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy are join a civic group and join a community group.
      Also watch these videos from VOA News about Eastern Orthodox Christians:
      EXTRA CREDIT: Listen to a great interview with Vlade Divac!
      • StoryCorps: Vivek and Vlade: From New Arrivals To Kings
        • Former Sacramento Kings center and current general manager Vlade Divac is interviewed by his boss, majority owner Vivek Ranadive, in this StoryCorps segment. They talk a little basketball but mostly focus on their shared experience as immigrants.