USCIS Tech Talks: Supporting our Valued Stakeholders

USCIS Tech Talks: Supporting our Valued Stakeholders (Dec 10, 2024) 

During this engagement, on December 10, 2024, USCIS presented on the use of an Online Access Code by applicants and legal representatives, updating legal representatives, including filing a stand-alone form G-28, in online accounts.

New Year, New Citizen!

New Year's Day

• A Citizenship Quiz for New Year’s Day (2015/2016) mp3 / pdf
• Light Up 2022: New Year, New US Citizen! (2022) video
• New Year, New US Citizen (2018) audiogram
• New Year, New Citizen with Dr. Patricia Hernandez (2021) video
• New Year, New Citizenship Interview with Teacher Lisa Lau (2013) video
• wh.gov: A New Year's Message from President Biden (2022) video
• VOA Learning English: Words and Their Stories: What Does 'Auld Lang Syne' Mean? (New Year's Eve song) (2019)

The US National Anthem

NHL: Pentatonix sings U.S. National Anthem at Lake Tahoe

The Pentatonix sing the National anthem before a special hockey game between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers in Lake Tahoe, California.

USCIS 100:98. What is the name of the national anthem?

USCIS 100:53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen? 

Make the resolution to become a U.S. citizen in the upcoming New Year!

Rest in Power, President Jimmy Carter!

 

VOA News: Looking back at Jimmy Carter's life and legacy

Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. VOA’s Kane Farabaugh extensively covered the former president’s life and post-presidential career promoting global health and democracy and has more on the legacy of the 39th president of the United States.

Also see:

• Army.mil: Official State Funeral Schedule for President Jimmy Carter
• Carter Center: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: A Remarkable Post-Presidency (annotated timeline)
• PBS American Experience: Jimmy Carter | Full Documentary 
• PBS News: A look at Carter's accomplishments as president and his legacy as a human rights champion
• VOA Learning English: Jimmy Carter, Outsider
• VOA News: Americans remember Jimmy Carter
• WH: President Biden Delivers Remarks on the Passing of Former President Jimmy Carter

Happy Birthday President Andrew Johnson!

 VOA Learning English: America's President--Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson (December 29, 1808 – July 31, 1875) was the 17th President of the United States (1865-1869).  He grew up in a poor family and did not learn how to read or do math until he was an adult. Johnson served as governor of Tennessee and represented his state in both houses of Congress.  Although Johnson was from the opposition party, he went on to serve as Abraham Lincoln's vice-president and succeeded him after Lincoln's assassination. He was the first president to be impeached, but he was not removed from office. The impeachment happened because he fired the Secretary of War after Congress had made it illegal. This was unusual because a president usually appoints his cabinet secretaries. 

Learn more:

• ESL Library: Andrew Johnson (subscription required; teacher discretion advised!)
• VOA Learning English: Andrew Johnson

POP QUIZ:

USCIS 100:17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*

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

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

USCIS 100:43. Who is the Governor of your state now?

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

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

USCIS 100:75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*

Happy Birthday President Woodrow Wilson!

VOA Learning English: America's Presidents - Woodrow Wilson 

Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924) was the 28th president of the United States between 1913 and 1921. He was born in Virginia, grew up in Georgia, and became preside of Princeton University in New Jersey. Although Wilson supported peace, the United States entered World War I in 1917.  After the war, Wilson helped start the League of Nations. In 1919, he won the Nobel Prize for Peace.  In 1920, women gained the right to vote in America.

Learn More

• C-SPAN Classroom: Woodrow Wilson
• ESL Library: Woodrow Wilson (subscription required)
• Smithsonian: Woodrow Wilson (collection)
• VOA Learning English: Woodrow Wilson

POP QUIZ

100:15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?

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

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

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

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

100:78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*

100:79. Who was President during World War I?

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

Kwanzaa

uscitizenpod: Two Citizenship Questions for a Joyous Kwanzaa! | pdf

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 Kwanzaa's principles: 

Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. (source)

Also checkout

• uscitizenpod: US Citizenship Resources for African-American History Month and Citizenship, Immigration, and Government Resources in African Languages 
• ESL Library: Kwanzaa
• Google Arts and Culture: Sharing the Timeless Principles of Kwanzaa through Stamps and Buttons
• NMAAHC: Kwanzaa
• Share America: American celebrate African Heritage during Kwanzaa
• uscitizenpod: Citizenship Quiz for Kwanzaa mp3 | pdf
• VOA News: African Americans Celebrate Kwanzaa
• 

Boxing Day

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

uscitizenpod: Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a secular holiday that is traditionally celebrated on December 26, the day after Christmas Day in England and its former colonies. December 26 is also the feast day of St. Stephen who collected food and clothing and gave them to the poor.  On Boxing Day, workers would received boxes of food and small gifts from their employers.  Frequently, there were used  clothing or blankets in the boxes.

Recently, Boxing Day has gained popularity in America.  Many families "box up" unused clothes, electronics, and furniture and donate them to charitable organizations such as Goodwill.

Goodwill was started in 1902 by the Reverend Edgar J. Helms of Morgan Methodist Chapel in Boston. Helms and his congregation collected used household goods and clothing being discarded in wealthier areas of the city, then trained and hired the unemployed or poor to repair them. The products were then redistributed to those in need.

Today, Goodwill has become an international nonprofit that is funded by thrift stores and provides more than 300,000 people with job training and community services each year.  Goodwill also offers free online job skills and technology courses--learn more at gcflearnfree.org 

In the spirit of Boxing Day, we encourage you to donate your unused goods or volunteer with your local civic or community groups.

Boxing Day Resources

• EnglishClass101: Boxing Day
• ESL Holiday Lessons: Boxing Day
• ESL Library: Boxing Day

Goodwill Industries

• Goodwill
• GFCLearnFree
• GCFLearnFree YouTube Channel
• GCFAprendeLibre YouTube Channel

More organizations in San Jose/Milpitas that accept household goods donations and need volunteers--check your local area for similar organizations!

• American Cancer Society Discovery Shop
• Habitat for Humanity
• Hope Services
• Humane Society
• Resource Area For Teaching: RAFT
• Sacred Heart Community Service
• Salvation Army
• Second Harvest Food Bank
• Santa Clara County Library District

US Citizenship Resources for Christmas

A Citizenship Quiz for Christmas  (2021) mp3 / pdf / video

More Citizenship Resources for Christmas

• George Washington's Mount Vernon: George Washington Remembers Crossing The Delaware (2018)
• Share America: White House decorations cheer visitors, especially children 2024
• Share America: U.S. towns named for Christmas 2024
• US Dept of Interior: Happy Holidays from Interior! 2024
• US Postal Museum: The Art of Christmas Stamps 
• VOA News: Pennsylvania's Bethlehem, founded by Moravians on Christmas eve, keeps its traditions alive 2024
• VOA News: A 400-Year-Old Mexican Tradition, Pinatas Are Not Child's Play 2023
• VOA News: How Did America’s Founding Father Celebrate the Holidays? 2023
• VOA News: Poinsettia's Origins, Namesake’s Checkered History Get New Attention 2023
• VOA News: Volunteers Join Annual Christmas Bird Count 2023
• VOA Learning English: 'Tis the Season!
• VOA Learning English Presents 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' 2023
• VOA Learning English: Everyday Grammar TV: Open-ended Questions about Gifts 2024
• WH: White House Holidays Throughout the Years 2024
• WH: The 2024 Holidays at the White House: A Season of Peace and Light 2024
• WH: The White House Transforms into Magic, Wonder, and Joy for the 2023 Holidays

uscitizenpod

• Winter Holidays Citizenship Quiz 2024   video | PDF | MP3   
• USCIS M-638 plus100:10. What is freedom of religion? plus Holiday Stamps (2011) mp3 / pdf
• Preparing for the Oath: USCIS 100:100 plus Holiday Stamps 2021 EN | SP
• Washington Crossing the Delaware, Christmas Night 1776 (2012) pdf
• A Citizenship Quiz for Christmas  (2021) mp3 / pdf / video
• Two Citizenship Questions for Christmas (2017) video
• O. Henry, author of "Gift of the Magi," Bio, Practice N-400, and Civics Quiz (2017) pdf (fixed!)

U.S. Citizenship Resources for the Hanukkah

uscitizenpod: Two Citizenship Questions for Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.

Emma Lazarus (1849-1887) was a Jewish-American poet and activist who used the image of America as a light to the nations when she wrote "The New Colossus" (1883). This poem, which is engraved inside of the Statue of Liberty, talks about the millions of immigrants who came to the United States many of whom came through Ellis Island at the port of New York. The final lines say:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Manfred Anson (1922-2012), a survivor of the Holocaust, designed this Hanukkah lamp for the centennial of the Statue of Liberty in 1986. Anson used a souvenir figurines to cast the statuettes for the lamp, and the Statue of Liberty torch was transformed into a candle holder. The lamp is surmounted by an American eagle, and the base of each statuette is inscribed with significant dates in Jewish history. This Statue of Liberty Menorah is currently displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Washington DC.

USCIS 100:95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?*

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

Learn more:

A closer look at our Statue of Liberty Hanukkah lamp blog post

A Menorah That Honors an Immigrant’s Story: After escaping the Holocaust, Manfred Anson paid tribute to his new home article

Emma Lazarus: Poet Of Exiles post

National Menorah: Chanukkah on the National Mall

Statue of Liberty National Monument website

She Wrote a Nation’s Welcome article

This One-of-a-Kind Menorah Represents the True Spirit of Thanksgivukkah: A Hanukkah tradition melds with an icon of Americana article

U.S. Postal Service and Israel Post Jointly Issue Hanukkah Stamps blogpost

Winter Holidays Citizenship Quiz

uscitizenpod: Winter Holidays Citizenship Quiz

Celebrate the Winter Holidays with 15 Civics Questions.  I ask, you answer.

Download a PDF or MP3 of this quiz.

For more Citizenship Resources for the Winter Holidays, click here.

For more info on Inauguration Day, including the Oath of Office, visit https://www.usa.gov/inauguration

Even during the holidays, study a little bit every day.  I know that you will be a GREAT American citizen!

The White House Transforms into a Season of Peace & Light for the 2024 Holidays

 wh.gov: The White House Transforms into a Season of Peace and Light for the 2024 Holidays 

Each room and design element throughout the White House holiday display are guided by the peace and light of the holiday season.

Learn more: Citizenship Resources for the Winter Holidays

New musical project tells 1800s story of US transcontinental railroad

VOA News: New musical project tells 1800s story of US transcontinental railroad

Rhiannon Giddens is an award-winning artist whose new project tells the story of the U.S. transcontinental railroad — a story told through the eyes of its builders, including African American, Chinese, Japanese, Irish and Native American workers. Nina Vishneva has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. Read more.

Listen to "American Railroad" by Silkwood Ensemble and Rhiannon Giddens.  Also check out the American Railroad Podcast!

Lean more about the Transcontinental Railroad

The Transcontinental Railroad was built across the United States, starting after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railroad Act in 1862 during the Civil War.

Much of the railroad was built on land taken from Native American tribes.  The Central Pacific Railroad built east from Sacramento, California, while the Union Pacific Railroad built west from Omaha, Nebraska.  The two railroads met at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869. Workers from China and Ireland, played a big role in its construction.

The railroad reduced travel across the U.S. from months to weeks or days. At the time, it was one of the longest railroads in the world, and more railroads were built later.

POP QUIZ:

• USCIS 100:89.  What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
• USCIS 100:59.  Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
• USCIS 100:44.  What is the capital of your state?
• Bonus: Sacramento is the capital of California.  What is the capital of Nebraska?
• USCIS 100:75.  What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*
• USCIS 100:33.  Who signs bills to become laws?

Winter Solstice

 

Share America: Celebrating Brighter Days on Yalda with Pomegranates 

Why a pomegranate, and how do you cut one? Tonight, on Shabe Yalda or the Winter Solstice, families in Iran and across the wider region gather together to celebrate the beginning of winter and brighter days ahead.

2024-2025 MAE Citizenship Class 14

USCIS: Oath of Allegiance

Classroom:

• 10 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• Holiday Stamps and Religious Freedom  pdf
• A Citizenship Quiz for Christmas  (2021) mp3 / pdf / video
• Voices of Freedom: Ch 12: Citizens Rights and Responsibilities
• Preparing for the Oath:  Responsibilities (homework)
• n-400r-18    Oath of Allegiance
• Civic Responsibilities pdf

A Quick Review of the Bill of Rights and the N-400 (2024) Part 9 plus Civics Questions

 

uscitizenpod: A Quick Review of the Bill of Rights and the N-400 (2024) Part 9 plus Civics Questions | pdf  | mp3

After a long hiatus, we are back with regular podcasts that feature questions from the new USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization.  In honor of the Bill of Rights Day, December 15, we are pairing the first ten amendments with some questions from the new N-400 Part 9 and some Civics questions.  pdf 

Before we begin, there are three news items:

1)     On September 20, USCIS released their new “One Nation, One People: Civics Test Textbook” for adults preparing to naturalize.  In support of their commitment 2gen civic literacy, USCIS also released “Color Me Civics: U.S. Landmarks and Symbols Coloring Book” in English and Spanish.  You can download these free resources from USCIS.

 2) Two new N-400 (2024) Part 9 resources:

·        Pearson ELT USA Team just release a free pdf of the UPDATED Naturalization Speaking Test from Voices of Freedom by Bill Bliss.  Download the test practice. 

·        New Readers Press has just posted a new “Tricky Vocabulary” handout (for explaining vocabulary in the new N-400 part 9):  .  This resource complements Citizenship: Passing the Test Ready for the Interview Student Book 4th Edition by Lynn Weintraub

3)     On December 13, LINCS.ed.gov The 2024 Naturalization Fee Reduction Webinar with Shawn Chakrabarti, a former Education Specialist with the office of Citizenship, USCIS.  Mr. Chakrabarti explained the USCIS naturalization fee structure, highlighting that 9.2 million people are eligible for citizenship, with 4 million likely having limited English proficiency. He detailed the new fee waiver and reduction rules, noting that 80% of LPRs may qualify for fee reductions. Mr. Chakrabarti emphasized the importance of detailed student intakes, partnering with legal service providers, and leveraging digital literacy to navigate the new fee rules. He also encouraged commenting on Federal Register notices to influence future policies.  Although this webinar was not recorded, detailed notes and resources are available on LINCS.ed.gov Civics Education and Citizenship Group under the “FOLLOW UP: 12/13 The 2024 Naturalization Fee Reduction Webinar.”

4)     Finally, a petition titled, Call to Codify Improvements to U.S. Naturalization Test, hosted on the TESOL Advocacy Action Center.  The petition asks USCIS to codify two items in the Federal Register:

·        Intermediate low level of English is the fair and appropriate level for the civics and speaking test.

·        The speaking test which is based on eligibility interview with an USCIS officer should be limited to basic questions. For complex questions, applicants may use interpreters.

With just one click, you can virtually sign the petition, which is immediately sent to your US representative and both senators.  Please sign this petition immediately to protect the fairness of the Naturalization interview.

2024 Bill of Rights Day Naturalization Ceremony at the National Archives

National Archives: 2024 Bill of Rights Day Naturalization Ceremony at the National Archives 

WASHINGTON, December 17, 2024 – On Friday, December 13, 25 people from 25 nations were sworn in as U.S. citizens in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. The petitioners took the oath of allegiance in front of the nation’s Founding Documents: the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence. (read more)

What is Bill of Rights Day?

National Archives: What is Bill of Rights Day?

On December 15, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued a proclamation dedicating December 15 as Bill of Rights Day. This date marks the anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Join the National Archives for student programs on the Bill of Rights: civics.archives.gov

Biden memorializes painful past of Native Americans

VOA News: Biden memorializes painful past of Native Americans 

U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday presided over his final White House Tribal Nations Summit by establishing a national monument to honor the suffering of thousands of Native children and their families in federal boarding schools. VOA White House correspondent Anita Powell reports from Washington.

Learn more:

NPS: The Carlisle Indian Industrial School: Assimilation with Education after the Indian Wars (Teaching with Historic Places)

Dickinson.edu:  Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center

POP QUIZ:

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

USCIS 100:87.  Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

Madre Sin Fronteras

Virgen de Tepeyac,


Patroness of the Americas,


Madre sin fronteras,


PRAY FOR US!