Wednesday, April 30, 2025

2024-2025 MAE Citizenship Class 27


The U.S. federal government consists of three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Each one has a distinct role, ensuring a balance of power that protects the institution.

This is the eleventh class of our semester.  
Learn more:
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Tuesday, April 29, 2025

First Hundred Days

Center for Civic Education: 60-Seconds Civics: How Recent Presidents Began Their Administrations (video) | Episode 4235 audio

Today is the second day of the First Hundred Days of the second Trump Administration.  The first 100 days of a president’s term are seen as an important time to judge how successful they are early on. This tradition began during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency. Trump is expected to sign many executive orders during this time.  Here are some lesson plans and resources that are appropriate for adult education students.

Ballotpedia: Executive orders issued by Donald Trump in the first 100 days of his second term

C-SPAN Classroom: Lesson Plan: President-Elect’s Plans for Their Administration (great graphic organizers)

FDR Library: The First 100 Days (video)

iCivics: Mini-Lesson: The First 100 Days

ILRC: The First 100 Days of the Second Trump Administration: Key Immigration-Related Actions and Developments (2025-04-28 includes pptx)

KQED: Lesson Plan: Trump’s First 100 Days

PBS News Hour: Why 100 days is a benchmark for presidential performance

VOA News: Executive Orders: The Presidential Power (2025)

VOA Learning English: News Words: Executive Order | Birthright Citizenship


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Monday, April 28, 2025

Happy Birthday President James Monroe




POP QUIZ

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

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

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

USCIS 100:59.  Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

USCIS 100:61.  Why did the colonists fight the British?

USCIS 100:64.  There were 13 original states.  Name three.

USCIS 100:70.  Who was the first President?*

USCIS 100:74.  Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

USCIS 100:80.  Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? 

USCIS 100:88.  Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.


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Sunday, April 27, 2025

Bucks Halftime Naturalization Ceremony


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Saturday, April 26, 2025

Sonam's Mom

 

City University of New YorkWe Speak NYC: Sonam's Mom 

Samten, Sonam's mom, is coming to America for the very first time. Sonam is a taxi driver but when his mom arrives in NYC she gets a ride with Osman, a different taxi driver. Sonam is busy helping his friend get free, safe immigration legal help. He doesn’t know his mom is already here. How will they meet? (Sonam's Mom | We Speak NYC: Season 2)
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Friday, April 25, 2025

KYR Resources: Prepare for an Immigration Consultation Appointment

Script examples from 4/25 CATESOL webinar: Real-World Civics: KYR Teaching Tools for the Classroom: Part 2 of "Top Immigration Resources for ESL Teachers"

Long: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Q1HgLLS7Ygp5O2oJjPDifrADx3CaCy3x?usp=drive_link 
Short: https://bit.ly/prep-immi
Folder includes 10 scripts of increasing difficulty plus supporting resources based on a questionnaire from USImmigrationplan.com 
  • Extract the folder on your hard drive.
  • Rename the folder.
  • Upload the folder to your Google drive.
  • Now you can copy, edit, and share all of the documents in the folder.
  • Questions? Email Jennifer Gagliardi uscitizenpod@gmail.com 

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Thursday, April 24, 2025

Happy Birthday Library of Congress!

Generated with MS Designer AI· April 24, 2025 at 10:27 AM

Today, the Library of Congress celebrates its birthday. On April 24, 1800, President John Adams approved the appropriation of $5,000 for the purchase of “such books as may be necessary for the use of congress.”  See LOC: On This Day April 24: Books for Congress and check out a Citizenship Preparation Book (1907) in the LOC collection.

Learn more about the USCIS and Library partnership:

USCIS.gov: Libraries
Libraries play a critical role in serving immigrant communities. Through our joint effort with IMLS, we plan to educate librarians, and in turn their immigrant customers, on topics ranging from naturalization, the unauthorized practice of immigration law, and the importance of digital literacy.
More Citizenship resources are available at National Library Week.
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Wednesday, April 23, 2025

2024-2025 MAE Citizenship Class 26



This is the tenth class of our semester.  
Learn more:
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Tuesday, April 22, 2025

U.S. Citizenship Resources for Earth Day



uscitizenpod: Three quick Citizenship Questions in Honor of Earth Day

uscitizenpod: 10 Citizenship Questions in Honor of Earth Day (pdf)

UPDATED 2025-04-14

 More Earth Day, Arbor Day, and National Parks Weeks Resources


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!


Family Fun
updated 2023-04-02
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Monday, April 21, 2025

Pope Francis in the U.S. from beginning to end

 



From 2015: 


VOANews: Pope Urges US Congress to Put Aside Divisions

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Sunday, April 20, 2025

A U.S. Citizenship Quiz for Easter



uscitizenpod: A U.S. Citizenship Quiz for Easter 

 This quiz pairs ten citizenship questions with ten American Christians from the western Catholic and Protestant traditions:
  • Bartolomé de las Casas
  • Sojourner Truth
  • Aimee Semple McPherson
  • Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin
  • Bishop Fulton Sheen
  • Mother Angelica
  • Billy Graham
  • Huston Smith
  • Watchman Nee
Later, dig deeper into the lives of these saints. For example, Bartolome de las Casas was once a slave owner himself, but changed. His failed mission in Puerto Rico compelled him to take holy orders as a Dominican friar. This change eventually led to his new job as the Bishop of Chiapas, Mexico where used his power to fight for civil rights. Reading his works today, it would be easy to imagine what he would say about Puerto Rico's economic woes or the increased criminalization of US immigration policies. Download the bonus quiz pdf!
Also see:
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Saturday, April 19, 2025

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



Happy Pascha! A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Eastern Orthodox Christian Americans video | 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, and this year, we are celebrating Easter on the same day.

This is recording is an update of a 2017 podcast featuring Branka and her husband Tony, both of whom were from the former Yugoslavia by way of Canada. Branka was a longtime colleague who at the time worked as a Projects Coordinator for OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK (otan.us) and had recently became a new US citizen.  She then moved on to lead the Capital Adult Education Consortium.  In late 2021, she and her family returned to Serbia where she continues to consult on Adult Education and digital literacy matters.

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. Alex Padilla is one of the two US senators from the state of California.
  6. Trump is the current President of the United States.
  7. JD Vance 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.

 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.
Also visit: 
updated 2025-04-15
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Jesus Among the Detained


This image came to me as I narrated the Passion of Jesus during our Good Friday service. It places Jesus among the detained to highlight the suffering of undocumented immigrants in modern detention systems.

Jesus Among the Detained. Prompted by Jennifer Gagliardi, AI-generated image by ChatGPT, OpenAI, 18 Apr 2025.


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Friday, April 18, 2025

GOOD FRIDAY Faith-Based Immigration and Refugee Resources


Cross at the Arizona/Mexico Border Photo Source

The Way of Asylum as a community experience of compassion and empathy was inspired by the art of Michelina Nicotera-Taxiera, who created a moving interpretation of Stations of the Cross, a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man. In her version, Michelina's art recognizes that asylum seekers embody Christ in our midst, confronting us with the truly horrific journey that many who seek asylum endure on their journey to seek safety and refuge.

Meditate on Christ’s journey to the cross in solidarity with people experiencing poverty around the world. As we walk through the Stations, we take time to pray and reflect on where we see Christ in our world.

Catholic Relief Service: Ministry 
Resources throughout the year related to justice for immigrants, refugees, and the marginalized.  Powerful Stations of the Cross.

As EKKLESIA associate Doug Hynd, from Australia, has also observed recently: “Jesus was crucified with criminals by the imperial occupying power. A permanent reproach to those of his followers who wish to use political power to enforce their vision of the sacred.”

DSJ: Stations of the Cross: The American Immigrant Experience 
Via Cruces: La Experiencia de los Inmigrantes en Los Estados Unidos Based on the Scriptural Version of the Stations by Fr. Jon Pedigo, STL

 Daylesford Abbey: Stations of the Cross for Immigrants and Migrants
When we pray the Stations, it is not for the purpose of undertaking an historical remembering of what occurred but to show us what is happening now – what is happening within each of us. The reason for praying the Stations of the Cross is to enter into the mystery of Jesus’ gift of himself for us – to experience his means of transforming suffering through love. (see their collection of themed-SOTC)
Episcopalian Migration Ministries
Our reflection authors represent a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds; each offers a poignant reflection on a Station and its relevance to migration and what it means to welcome the stranger as we would welcome Christ. Each reflection calls us back to our essential identity as beloved children of God and asks us to prayerfully reflect on the meaning of the Cross in a world being transformed by migration.

Stations of the Cross is a public art project that seeks to use the story of the Passion to prompt reflection and action in response to challenges of social justice.   Also see imago-arts.org.

 Im/migration: Stations of the Cross
The following series of stations was curated by Grace Commons during Lent 2012, contemplating each station through the lens of immigration and migration.

 JRUSA: The Jesuit Refugee Service Way of the Cross
Christ calls us to keep watch. Let us accompany Jesus on this journey as we watch and pray over all that is going on with many of our sisters and brothers around the world. 2025 pdf.  Also see 40 Prayers for 40 Days, A Lenten Prayer Guide

Jacqueline Romo: The Passion of the Monarca Migrante: Un Vía Crucis Latino
The Passion of the Monarca Migrante reimagines the Way of the Cross as the journey of a migrant, symbolized by the monarch butterfly.
Maryknoll Spanish | Maryknoll English |  Holy Rosary ABQ video | UDayton

These Stations are written by members of our province and others who work with immigrants and asylum-seekers on the U.S.-Mexico border and beyond. They tell the stories of real people who have dealt with challenges and pain that reflect the suffering of our Lord. 

 MIGRANT STATIONS OF THE CROSS ARE IN EXHIBITION AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL
Lenten worshippers admired the artwork exhibit created with sacred artifacts found along the U.S.-Mexico border

Welcome to 'Way of the Cross', a stations of the cross series allowing you to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross and the Resurrection, whilst praying for refugees around the world. Each station begins with a piece from scripture, followed by a reflection, and culminates with a prayer to say together.

The Way of the Cross is directed towards those communities and people who are living the painful experience of migration and refugee status, to all who work with migrants and refugees in order to build a better world, a world without borders, and to all men and women of goodwill who wish to be involved in this noble task.

 Trocaire: Stations of the Cross: Reflections on war by Syrian Child Refugees
Trócaire is delivering humanitarian assistance to those fleeing conflict and seeking refuge. Download and use our stations of the cross with reflections on war by Syrian child refugees.

 USCCB: PRAYING THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING  English 
Hear the prayers which we pour forth to you, for the freedom of captives and the conversion of those who enslave them.  Also see: Statements on Migration, Support of Refugees, and Recent Executive Orders

USCCB: Overcoming Racism  English | Espanol | More Thematic Stations of the Cross
This new Stations of the Cross resource on overcoming racism can help you, your family, or faith community reflect on the pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. A rich Lenten reflection, this prayer resource can help open our hearts to the persistent sin of racism and the call to help overcome it.

More Faith-Based Immigration and Refugee Resources

CLINIC: Praying the Rosary with Our Lady of Guadalupe and Tales of Immigrants - The Luminous Mysteries | pdf
CLINIC invites you to join us in praying for dignity and justice for our immigrant sisters and brothers. Just as the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary shed light on an important aspect of Christ’s mission, we hope these reflections will shed light on some immigrant experiences. Also see Holiday Prayer Cards for Immigrant Integration in English and Spanish

Crossing Borders: The Reconciliation of a Nation of Immigrants - with Ali Noorani and Amanda Ripley (video)
In an era when immigration on a global scale defines the fears and aspirations of Americans, Crossing Borders presents the complexities of migration through the stories of families fleeing violence and poverty, the government and nongovernmental organizations helping or hindering their progress, and the American communities receiving them. (TED Talk)

 ESA: Immigration and Refugee Resources
We propose a discussion based on the reality that immigrants (authorized or otherwise) are human beings made in the image of God.  Download ESA's Citizen Among Us: Loving the Immigrant as Ourselves, ESA’s free small group study guide on immigration

Esperanza Immigration Legal Services
Driven by the biblical mandate to serve the “least of these” (Matthew- 25:40), we strengthen Hispanic communities. We carry out this mission through a variety of programs and services that are all designed to empower people through education, housing and economic development, immigration legal services, job training and advocacy.

Global Refugee: Congregational Resources (was LIRS Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service)
Congregations play an invaluable role in welcoming immigrants and refugees to their new communities, whether sponsoring a family, showing solidarity through advocacy, or accompanying new neighbors in other ways. Global Refuge creates resources to support congregations in living out the Biblical call 

IIC: Holy Days and Holidays Resources
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is a partnership of faith-based organizations committed to enacting fair and humane immigration reform that reflects our mandate to welcome the stranger and treat all human beings with dignity and respect. Coalition members work together to advocate for just and equitable immigration policies, educate faith communities, and serve immigrant populations around the country.

IOCC humbly offers a collection of spiritual reflections each Lent, plus other resources you may find helpful during the Great Fast.

This Lent, the Justice for Immigrants Campaign invites you to pray, fast, learn, give and advocate for just and humane immigration reform, in solidarity with immigrants and refugees by committing to one or more of the following activities.  More immigration resources. 

As we enter the season of Lent, the Office of Immigration Issues offers this brief study guide for the Sunday lectionary, with additional prayers for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. For each Sunday, we have prepared brief contextual notes for a few of the lectionary readings, including where possible and appropriate their context in the Bible, in history, and in interpretation. We also offer some questions and thoughts to ponder as you prepare for worship. 

 Sojourners: Immigration: Welcoming the Stranger
The United States is a nation of immigrants. Yet, our laws prevent immigrants from using their God-given gifts to improve communities and grow the economy. Through our work with the Interfaith Immigration Coalition and other partners, we are articulating the biblical witness for immigration reform, demonstrating the human cost of inaction, and encouraging our political leaders to take action. By working together, we believe the faith community has a historic opportunity to help create a road map to citizenship for 11 million aspiring Americans. who wish to fully integrate and contribute to the social fabric of our nation. 

We have a long history of providing and creating robust structures of welcome for the resettlement of refugees and the protection of asylees within the United States, while advocating for and responding to
the needs of those displaced globally.

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Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Emancipation Day in Washington DC

 
 

Updated 2025-04-14
 
Washington D.C. will mark Emancipation Day on Sunday, April 13, 2025. commemorating an 1862 act signed by Abraham Lincoln which abolished slavery in the District, freeing over 3,000 people eight months before the Emancipation Proclamation. Learn more about Emancipation Day

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

USCIS 100:73. 74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
  • slavery
  • economic reasons
  • states’ rights

USCIS 100:73. 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 100:73. 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
Learn more
updated 2025-04-14
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Tuesday, April 15, 2025

INCOME TAX DAY!




Income Tax Day
Here are fifteen citizenship questions from the N-400 and the USCIS Civics Test about taxes and our economic system. Happy Income Tax Day!
 
USCIS 100:56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
* April 15 

Learn more:

IRS: Tax Information and Responsibilities for New Immigrants to the United States

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Monday, April 14, 2025

EXPANDED U.S. Citizenship Resources List for April Holidays

Tulips in front of the U.S. Capitol Building

U.S. Citizenship Resources for April 2025

April is Arab American Heritage Month! page
U.S. Citizenship Resources for Arab American Heritage Month page

April is Financial Literacy Month page
Financial literacy and financial responsibility are key components of citizenship.

April is National Poetry Month post
Spotlight on Emma Lazarus' poem "New Colossus" and poetry that celebrates America and our immigrant heritage.

April 6-12: National Library Week  page
Explore the role of Libraries in supporting the formation of new American citizens!

April 12 to April 20 Passover  page
Passover Haggadah celebrating our Immigrant Nation

Apr 13-16: DC Emancipation Day post
Commemorates 1862 act signed by Lincoln which freed the slaves in the District of Columbia.

April 15: Income Tax Day page 
15 question quiz and more

April 18: Good Friday page
GOOD FRIDAY Faith-Based Immigration and Refugee Resources

April 20: Easter page and Pascha page
A U.S. Citizenship Quiz in honor of Western Christians and Eastern Orthodox Christians

April 22: Earth Day page
Citizenship Resources for Earth Day, Arbor Day, and more! 

updated 2025-04-14

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Sunday, April 13, 2025

Naturalization Ceremony Welcomes 22 New U.S. Citizens: One U.S. citizen Shares Her Journey

 


“I always wanted to get to this point to become a citizen. And I've been waiting and doing everything that I needed to do in order to achieve this goal.”
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