We will first read about Q99 from the USCIS M638 quick civics lesson. Then we will discuss the Declaration of Independence, the Compromise of 1850, and abolitionist Fredrick Douglass. Then we will listen to a short reading from Fredrick Douglass speech: “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro.” Note that Negro was a common term for Black or African-Americans, but it is not often used today. Let's get started.
I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelly to which he is the constant victim.
To him, your celebration is a sham;
your boasted liberty, an unholy license;
your national greatness, swelling vanity;
your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless;
your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence;
your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery;
your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings,
with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast,
fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy—a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages...
Listen to and read text from The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro, written by abolitionist and former slave: Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass presented this speech on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, NY. This speech concludes with a poem, a peace prayer, written by William Lloyd Garrison
Watch actor Danny Glover read abolitionist Frederick Douglass's "Fourth of July Speech, 1852" on October 5, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. Part of a reading from Voices of a People's History of the United States (Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove.)
The U.S. celebrates this Independence Day amid nationwide protests and calls for systemic reforms. In this short film, five young descendants of Frederick Douglass read and respond to excerpts of his famous speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" which asks all of us to consider America's long history of denying equal rights to Black Americans.
.gov Resources for Independence Day SI.edu/USCIS: Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship This web resource provides online videos and activities on the 100 civics questions from the naturalization test and highlights museum objects from the Smithsonian Institution. Visit the “Establishing Independence” and “Symbols and Holidays” themes for information on Independence Day.
USCIS helps you prepare for the civics test by posting a new paylist: one video for each civics and history question asked by different examiners. For Independence Day, check out 100:08, 09, 61, 62, 63, 64, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100. Good job, USCIS! USCIS: Lesson Plans and Activities Visit this page to find lesson plans, student handouts, and answer keys on a variety of topics, including Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence (Beginning Level), American Symbols and Celebrations (Beginning and Intermediate Levels), Establishing Independence (Intermediate Level). USCIS: Independence Day 2015 - Declaration of Independence U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (uscis.gov) thanks everyone who participated in our video project to celebrate the nation's 239th birthday on July 4. To find naturalization ceremony photos and immigrant stories posted by some of the more than 700,000 people each year who become U.S. citizens, check #newUScitizen and #newAmericans on social media.
More Resources American English at State: Celebrate Independence Day(pdf) Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4 because on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, officially breaking bonds with England and forming a new independent nation, the United States of America. JenniferESL: Lesson 26 - Red, White & Blue Idioms - Happy Fourth of July! Learn six idioms based on the colors red, white, and blue. MORE PRACTICE Rachel's English: 4th of July Traditions Happy 4th of July! This is the day we celebrate America’s independence. Study vocabulary, pronunciation, and phrases as we study REAL English conversation and learn about 4th of July traditions in the US. TED-ED: What you might not know about the Declaration of Independence - Kenneth C. Davis (video) In June 1776, a little over a year after the start of the American Revolutionary War, the US Continental Congress huddled together in a hot room in Philadelphia to talk independence. Kenneth C. Davis dives into some of the lesser known facts about the process of writing the Declaration of Independence and questions one very controversial omission. US News: 15,000 people became Americans on Independence Day 2017 Immigrants from around the world celebrated their new American citizenship in over 65 naturalization ceremonies across the United States. uscitizenpod: Independence Day Citizenship Interview with Lien Ho (2017) uscitizenpod: A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs for Independence Day New for 2016: 24 questions based on the N-400r plus 10 civics question.
uscitizenpod: US Citizenship Podcast Independence Day Quiz (video) Celebrate Independence Day with uscitizenpod. Here is a quiz based on USCIS 100:08, 09, 61, 62, 63, 64, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100.
Extra Credit: TeachCove.com: US History 11 - The Declaration of Independence July 4 is an important date. The country of America was born July 4, 1776. TED-ED: What you might not know about the Declaration of Independence - Kenneth C. Davis (video) In June 1776, a little over a year after the start of the American Revolutionary War, the US Continental Congress huddled together in a hot room in Philadelphia to talk independence. Kenneth C. Davis dives into some of the lesser known facts about the process of writing the Declaration of Independence and questions one very controversial omission.
Across the country, many young people have spoken out on social justice issues by taking to the streets to march in protests. This generation of digital natives is also active online, capitalizing on various social media and digital tools to organize and mobilize their peers. During the pandemic, TikTok, Twitter and Snapchat are proving to be effective in rallying the younger generation. Tina Trinh reports.
POP Quiz
USCIS 100:6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
USCIS 100:9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
USCIS 100:51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
USCIS 100:77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?
USCIS 100:84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
USCIS 10085. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
QUICK TAKE: USCIS Openings Week 3
Video with slides only, no audio.
10 seconds per slide, approximately 3.5 minutes https://bit.ly/uscis-week-03x
Dr Hernandez and I talk about the good news and bad news from USCIS June 18-26: DACA victory, Visa bans, Civics Pilot, SF/SJ re-opening, possible new procedures, impending furlough, participating in democracy, DC statehood and more!
One big concern: a possible USCIS furlough in August. This can greatly delay naturalization and immigration petitions.
Please contact Congress to fully fund USCIS!
Write or say this message: I SUPPORT THE FULL FUNDING OF USCIS
Example of the address:
Honorable Lucille Roybal-Allard
Chairwoman, Homeland Security Subcommittee House Appropriations Committee
2006 Rayburn House Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20515
More information about who to contact about USCIS funding:
You can also direct postal correspondence to your representatives as follows:
The Honorable (Name)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 224-3121 http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/
Dr Hernandez and I talk about the good news and bad news from USCIS June 18-26: DACA victory, Visa bans, Civics Pilot, SF/SJ re-opening, possible new procedures, impending furlough, participating in democracy, DC statehood and more!
QUICK TAKE: USCIS Openings Week 3
Video with slides only, no audio.
10 seconds per slide, approximately 3.5 minutes https://bit.ly/uscis-week-03x
One big concern: a possible USCIS furlough in August. This can greatly delay naturalization and immigration petitions.
Please contact Congress to fully fund USCIS!
Write or say this message: I SUPPORT THE FULL FUNDING OF USCIS
Example of the address:
Honorable Lucille Roybal-Allard
Chairwoman, Homeland Security Subcommittee House Appropriations Committee
2006 Rayburn House Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20515
More information about who to contact about USCIS funding:
You can also direct postal correspondence to your representatives as follows:
The Honorable (Name)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 224-3121 http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/
In honor of LGBT Pride Month, a single question about the Flag: Long May She Wave! Text: uscitizenpod | Video: Lori Saltis Take the full quiz: LOVE AND PRIDE: A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of LGBT Pride Month (10 questions)
Equal treatment. That’s the idea behind the Civil Rights Act. One part of the legislation, called Title VII deals with the workplace. What does that mean for American workers? VOA explains.
THIS BAN DOES NOT AFFECT THOSE WORKING CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE U.S. ON A H1-B OR SIMILAR VISA.
THIS BAN DOES NOT AFFECT THOSE WORKING CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE U.S. ON A H1-B OR SIMILAR VISA.
THIS BAN DOES NOT AFFECT THOSE WORKING CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE U.S. ON A H1-B OR SIMILAR VISA. VOA Learning English: Who Is Affected by the US Visa Ban? U.S. President Donald Trump is suspending immigration visas for some kinds of foreign workers for the rest of the year. (read more) The following visa categories are affected: H-1B "high-skilled" workers H-2B seasonal non-agricultural labor H-4 spouses/dependents of H-1B and H-2B holders J-1 cultural and educational exchange J-2 spouses/dependents of J-1 holders L-1 high-level and specialized company employees L-2 spouses/dependents of L-1 holders (read more) THIS BAN DOES NOT AFFECT THOSE WORKING CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE U.S. ON A H1-B OR SIMILAR VISA.
USCIS: Deputy Director for Policy Statement on USCIS’ Fiscal Outlook
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Deputy Director for Policy Joseph Edlow issued the following statement on the agency’s fiscal outlook due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
“The effects of the coronavirus pandemic are long reaching and pervasive, leaving few unscathed in its wake. USCIS is still experiencing those very effects, which began with an alarming drop in applications at the end of March. Forecasts predict a crippling budget shortfall that requires assistance from Congress to allow USCIS to maintain current operations.
“Since May, USCIS has worked with Congress to explain the financial situation and educate members and staff on the needs of the agency. Recognizing the need to not let taxpayers carry this burden, USCIS’ proposal to Congress includes a requirement that any funding provided by Congress will be paid back to the U.S. Treasury. Both the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and the Office of Management and Budget have written to Congress supporting this proposal. Without congressional action before August 3, USCIS will need to furlough over 13,000 staff members, which will have tremendous negative impacts on our mission administering our nation's lawful immigration system, safeguarding its integrity, and protecting the American people. We urge Congress to provide the funding needed to pay our dedicated staff and ensure our operations continue uninterrupted during these unprecedented times.”
The majority of USCIS operations rely on fees paid by applicants and petitioners, not appropriated or taxpayer funds. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, USCIS has seen a 50% drop in receipts and incoming fees starting in March and estimates that application and petition receipts will stay well below plan through the end of Fiscal Year 2020. In the past few months, USCIS has taken action to avert a fiscal crisis, including limiting spending to salary and mission-critical activities.
On May 15, USCIS notified Congress of a projected budget shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and requested emergency funding of $1.2 billion. USCIS would repay these funds by adding a 10% surcharge to applications. The Office of Management and Budget (PDF, 2.39 MB) and the Department of Homeland Security (PDF, 111 KB) have sent letters in support of USCIS’ proposal.
One big concern: a possible USCIS furlough in August. Please contact the White House and Congress to fully fund USCIS!
You can also direct postal correspondence to your representatives as follows: The Honorable (Name) U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 (202) 224-3121 http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/
I am in Chicago taking care of a family emergency.
JennifererESL: U.S. States, Capitals, Regions and Time Zones - Learn them all! Dear viewers! Thank you for your patience. 🙏 I had to reload this video to improve the quality of my presentation. I hope I fixed everything I needed to. Please know that the arrows on the map point to the states, but not necessarily the location of each capital city. Also, remember that different dictionaries and textbooks represent sounds with different symbols. You'll note, for example, that I prefer to use /ɚ/ to represent the "er" as a vowel sound, as in "Dover." /ˈdoʊvɚ/ In the end, I think it's more important to trust your ears and listen to my model. Look in the video description for other resources you can use. It's very helpful to hear different models. Train your ears to accept variations. Most of the variations in state names concern the vowel sounds. We become familiar with a number of variations, so we understand each other. Vowel sounds and word stress are very important. This is why I've begun to promote a pronunciation app called Blue Canoe. I appreciate their methodology, and I've decided to be one of their affiliates. I invite you to use my link to sign up and try this self-study app for free. 👉👉👉👉 https://bluecanoe.onelink.me/Tb6l?pid=affiliate_english-with-jennifer&af_dp=bluecanoe%3A%2F%2FHappy studies!🌼🌻
Equal treatment. That’s the idea behind the Civil Rights Act. One part of the legislation, called Title VII deals with the workplace. What does that mean for American workers? VOA explains.
uscitizenpod: Happy Father's Day from US Citizenship Podcast In 1966, Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972. Who signs bills to become laws? a) the President a) the President Pro Tempore b) the Speaker of the House c) the Vice-President Happy Father's Day! #FamiliesBelongTogether
Dr Hernandez and I talk about the June 18 USCIS Webinar. We summarize and comment on USCIS info about case backlog priorities, Oath Ceremonies, requirements to enter USCIS facilities, citizenship interviews, fingerprint appointments, translators, and much more!
One big concern: a possible USCIS furlough in August. Please contact the White House and Congress to fully fund USCIS!
You can also direct postal correspondence to your representatives as follows:
The Honorable (Name) U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 224-3121 http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/
uscitzenpod: USCIS 100:76 Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth Today we continue our exploration of the USCIS History and Government questions and African American History. Today we will talk about USCIS 100:76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? We will first read about Q76 from the USCIS M638 quick civics lesson. Then we will listen to an interview with Robin Braxton who helps organizes our local Juneteenth festival. Robin will talk about Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. Juneteenth celebrates the day when slaves in Texas heard about the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is also a holiday that celebrates African American history and culture. Let's get started!
VOANews: Juneteenth 2020: Balancing Celebration of Emancipation and #BLM Protests June 19, or Juneteenth, is observed by many Americans as the day in 1865 the last slaves in America were told the Civil War had ended and that they were now free. But this year, strikes and protests may accompany barbecues and celebrations amid a national effort demanding racial justice.
A Juneteenth Citizenship Quiz: 19 Civics Questions that Celebrate Freedom
A former police officer recalls the racism and sexism she endured during her law enforcement career. Watch the video and answer 3 citizenship questions and 1 reflection question.
