Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Monday, May 13, 2024

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Happy Mother’s Day!


VOA News: White House garden opens to public on Mother’s Day weekend 
 🌹🌹The White House Garden opened to the public ahead of Mother's Day weekend. VOA's Dora Mekouar has more on this story.

Ann Reeves Jarvis was a peace activist who took care of wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War. After the war, she hosted Mother's Day Friendship picnics for the women on both sides of the war.  She also created Mother's Day Work Clubs to address public health issues.

C-SPAN: President Biden Responds to a Reporter's Question About Mother's Day May 12, 2024 
As President Biden exited church with his granddaughter, he responded to a reporters' question about how he spent Mother’s Day. The president replied, “I prayed for you all. You need help.” He then added, “To those of you who are mothers, Happy Mother’s Day

Saturday, May 11, 2024

What is a ‘third-party’ candidate?

VOA News: What is a ‘third-party’ candidate? 

The United States has two main political parties – Democrat and Republican. A third-party candidate is a term used for someone who runs as a candidate for a party that forms outside of the two main political parties. A third party is most often discussed during a presidential campaign. 

USCIS 100:45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?* 

USCIS 100:46. What is the political party of the President now?

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Monday, May 6, 2024

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Threats to democracy top concern for US voters, poll finds


VOA News: Threats to democracy top concern for US voters, poll finds 

"Threats to democracy" have overtaken the economy and immigration as the chief concern of U.S. voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election, according to a recent Ipsos poll. VOA's Veronica Balderas Iglesias breaks down the results.

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, May 4, 2024

What does it mean to be a red state or a blue state?

VOA News: What does it mean to be a red state or a blue state?

Here’s a look at how the tradition of calling states that usually favor Republicans “red” and Democrats “blue” came about. 

In U.S. politics, it’s commonplace to hear about red states and blue states. 

In red states, most voters choose Republican Party candidates. In blue states, most choose Democratic Party candidates. 

U.S. television networks get credit for the shades of meaning. 

As color TV gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s,  networks started using color-coded maps to show election night results. 

At first, there was no consensus on which color would represent which political party. 

But during coverage of the 2000 presidential election, most networks used blue for Democratic states and red for Republican. 

People then started using red state and blue state as political figures of speech. 

Purple states, also called swing states, are a blend of red and blue. They’re so evenly divided, they could tip toward either party.

USCIS 100:45.  What are the two major political parties in the United States?*  
  • Democratic and Republican

Friday, May 3, 2024

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 75| 2024

Kulwinder Singh PASSED his interview, but there were some tense moments: the USCIS officer said there was another person with the same name and case details who had been deported!  Mr. Singh kept his cool and answered all of the officer's questions about deportation.  Most interviews go smoothly, but you still need to prepare how to answer awkward questions.  Good job, Mr. Singh!

Here are his practice interviews:

Kulwinder Singh’s 1st Practice Citizenship Interview

Kulwinder Singh’s 2nd Practice Citizenship Interview

Kulwinder Singh’s 3rd Practice Citizenship Interview

Kulwinder Singh’s 4th Practice Citizenship Interview

Kulwinder Singh’s 5th Practice Citizenship Interview

Kulwinder Singh’s 6th Practice Citizenship Interview

Kulwinder Singh Talks about his Citizenship Interview

N-400
USA Learns 
Learn More:
  • U.S. Citizenship Resources for the May page

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 72 | 2024

Candy Tran's Citizenship interview is next week, so here is her third practice interview with civics questions and reading/writing test. Note her explanation about the difference between the name on her Legal Permanent residence Card (Green Card) and her Legal Name. Check back soon for updated Closed Captions. Watch all of Candy Tran's Citizenship Interviews: Candy Tran's First Practice Citizenship Video--UPDATED! Candy Tran's Second Practice Citizenship Interview Candy Tran’s Third Practice Citizenship Interview Candy Tran nói về cuộc phỏng vấn thi công dân Hoa Kỳ của cô Candy Tran Talks About Her U.S. Citizenship Interview

N-400
USA Learns 
Learn More:
  • U.S. Citizenship Resources for the April page

Monday, April 29, 2024

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 71 | 2024

Elvia Velázquez is back with Teacher Jennifer got a practice U.S. Citizenship plus dictation and Civics Questions. Closed Captions have been updated. Check Elvia's first interview in Spanish with fellow teacher Ana Mendoza:

La Entrevista de Ciudadanía en Español con audio mejorado!

U.S. Citizenship Interview with Elvia Velázquez (2nd interview; cc--updated!)

Both interview were recorded at #tdls sponsored by OTAN.us Learn more about Gonzales Adult School's Citizenship and Distance Learning Programs at https://ae.gonzalesusd.net/

N-400
USA Learns 
Learn More:
  • U.S. Citizenship Resources for the April page

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Pew: Asian Americans fastest growing group of US voters

VOA News: Pew: Asian Americans fastest growing group of US voters 

Asian Americans are the fastest growing group of eligible voters in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center. That makes them an important focus for presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. VOA correspondent Scott Stearns has our story.

POP QUIZ:

USCIS 100:27.  In what month do we vote for President?*

USCIS 100:48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote.  Describe one of them.

USCIS 100:49.  What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*

USCIS 100:50.  Name one right only for United States citizens.

USCIS 100:54.  How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*

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

Saturday, April 27, 2024

What are the roles of the US House and Senate?

VOA News: What are the roles of the US House and Senate?

As the legislative branch of the United States government, Congress is responsible for proposing and passing the nation’s laws. But in recent years, fewer and fewer laws have been making their way to the president’s desk to be signed. The 118th U.S. Congress that began its session in 2023 passed only 34 bills in its first year, compared to 197 for the 108th Congress and 221 for the 98th. This deadlock is due not only to increased political polarization, but to the unique structure of two congressional chambers that operate in parallel yet distinct ways. The concept of a bicameral legislature originates with the British Parliament, where the House of Commons was intended to represent the people, while the House of Lords has evolved to be seen as a body of experts to review proposed laws. America’s founders adopted the model with a different idea. Since the nation began as a confederation of sovereign states, there was a conflict between representing each state equally and reflecting the greater contributions of the more populated states. Bicameralism enabled a compromise, where each state is represented proportionally according to population in the House of Representatives, but equally in the Senate. Each state’s total congressional representation also determines the number of votes they are given in presidential elections, giving voters in smaller states more impact. Today, the Senate has 100 members — two for each state — while the House has 435, each representing a district of about 760,000 people. Each of the two chambers introduces and votes on legislation, but only the House may introduce revenue bills. House bills are introduced when they are referred to committee by the House speaker, while Senate bills may be introduced by any senator on the floor. The two chambers also have different roles when it comes to impeachment. The House initiates the process and votes on whether to bring charges. The Senate conducts the trial by voting to convict or acquit. Another important difference is the filibuster, a maneuver allowing any senator to block a vote by drawing out debate indefinitely unless overruled by three-fifths of the Senate. Initially used only as an emergency measure, increasing polarization in recent years has turned the filibuster into a perpetual threat by the minority party to block any legislation favored by the majority. In practice, this means that every Senate bill needs a supermajority of 60 votes to pass.

The House, which has no filibuster option, only requires a simple majority. Ultimately, any bill must pass both the House and the Senate to be signed into law, which is especially difficult if the two chambers are controlled by opposing parties. The partisan gridlock of recent decades has periodically led to calls for reforming the Senate by removing the filibuster or even abolishing the chamber altogether in favor of a unicameral legislature.

POP QUIZ:

USCIS 100:13. Name one branch or part of the government.* USCIS 100:14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? USCIS 100:15. Who is in charge of the executive branch? USCIS 100:16. Who makes federal laws? USCIS 100:17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?* USCIS 100:18. How many U.S. Senators are there? USCIS 100:19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? USCIS 100:20. Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators?* USCIS 100:21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members? USCIS 100:22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? USCIS 100:23. Name your U.S. Representative. USCIS 100:24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent? USCIS 100:25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? USCIS 100:45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?* USCIS 100:47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? But as their structure is enshrined in the Constitution, both chambers of Congress will likely persist into the foreseeable future.

Friday, April 26, 2024

Thursday, April 25, 2024

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 69 | 2024

 

N-400
Civics:
USA Learns 
Learn More:
  • U.S. Citizenship Resources for the April page
  • April 18: Income Tax Day page (postponed because of Passover, Easter, and DC Emancipation Day)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Monday, April 22, 2024

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Helping African Refugees in the Mediterranean

 

Since 2003, Father Mussie Zerai has received thousands of emergency calls from distressed refugees and migrants stranded in the Mediterranean Sea. The Eritrean priest, head of the refugee rights organization Habeshia, travels to the Italian island of Lampedusa to commemorate October 3, 2013, when a fishing vessel caught fire and sank near the coast, killing 368 people. Leaning on his faith, Father Zerai helps survivors start anew. The 2015 Nobel Peace Prize nominee fields crisis calls as Europe struggles to accommodate the ongoing influx of migrants and refugees desperate to escape war, famine, and persecution.​

Saturday, April 20, 2024

What are the requirements to be a US president?

 

VOA News: What are the requirements to be a US president?


Can anybody be president of the United States? 

No. 

The job is open only to those who meet the qualifications spelled out in the U.S. Constitution. 

Requirements: Be at least 35 years old. Have lived within the United States for 14 years. Be a natural-born citizen. 

35 years old: The founders hoped age might bring with it wisdom and maturity. 

The average life span was less than 40 years at the time the Constitution was adopted. 

Residency and citizenship: These requirements were intended to discourage foreign influence. 

Most legal experts believe natural-born citizen applies to a person born in the U.S. or born to parents who are U.S. citizens. 

But the U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled on an official definition of the term.


POP Quiz

USCIS 100:26. We elect a President for how many years? 

USCIS 100:27. In what month do we vote for President?* 

USCIS 100:28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?* 

USCIS 100:29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? 

USCIS 100:30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? 

USCIS 100:31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? 

USCIS 100:32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? 

USCIS 100:33. Who signs bills to become laws? 33 34. Who vetoes bills? 

USCIS 100:35. What does the President's Cabinet do? 

USCIS 100:36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Friday, April 19, 2024

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 65 | 2024


 

  • Interview Based on the USCIS N-400r for Senior Citizens or Those Who Request Accommodations/Exemptions plus the USCIS 100qs for 65/20 Applicants (8 pgs) Script
  • Before the Interview: 7 Questions about Exemptions and Accommodations PLUS 65/20 Civics Questions video
 أسئلة التربية المدنية للمتمتعين بالإعفاء 20/65 
65/20 면제에 해당되는 공민/역사 시험 문제
Các câu Hỏi của Công Dân về Miễn Trừ 65/20
N-400
Civics:
USA Learns 
Learn More: