Many U.S. politicians throughout history owe their success to the drawing of boundary lines on a map that made their election a near certainty. Here is how it worked and continues to work to this day.
The Trail of Truth is a 90-day horseback journey across the United States, all the way from San Francisco to Washington, beginning August 4th. Led by the members of the Muwekma Ohlone tribe and Chairwoman Nijmeh, the protest aims to raise awareness about the injustice that the unrecognized tribes in the Bay Area have had to endure for decades.
The protest encourages other such unrecognized tribes to join the journey to DC and present their demands to the State & Federal governments and seek justice for their people and communities.
After four Decades of our tribe's struggle to be seen to be heard by the federal government, this Cross Country journey is about honoring our Legacy and sacrifices of our elders who are alive today and our ancestors before us.
It's also about demanding Justice from California, Congress, and this Administration.
Justice delayed is Justice denied and we have been denied justice for way too long.
We need you to support us.
We need your help to tell the truth and to demand Justice.
POP QUIZ:
USCIS 100:87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
Jerry Reyes was born and raised in the heart of California’s Central Valley, surrounded by a sweltering expanse of industrial agriculture. He never worked in the fields, but his parents and grandparents did – picking the very grapes that Cesar Chavez once boycotted. And while Jerry is a citizen, his family members were all undocumented and at risk of deportation over the years and administrations.
Sitting at a crowded taquerÃa, Jerry talks about the upcoming election, and describes what matters to him as a 24-year old, first-time voter: he wants to “make money.” And while he concedes he himself is a product of immigrants, he thinks it’s time to close the border. Jerry sells insurance, is a registered Republican, and is voting for Trump. This decision has meant multiple family members will no longer speak to him, a consequence Jerry believes is an unfortunate necessity of being a “free thinker.”
During this engagement, on October 8, 2024, USCIS reviewed the PDF intake filing option and addressed recently received questions on online filing. We also responded to live questions.
During any campaign, it is crucial that voters and candidates have a way to measure the state of public opinion. Polling — surveying representative samples of the electorate — allows everyone to understand and adapt to prevailing sentiments. But it has its flaws.
America's voting landscape is shifting. While many still cast ballots at local polls, mail-in voting is on the rise. Once limited to military personnel and homebound citizens, it's now the primary method in several states.
This week on The Inside Story, we travel to Springfield, Ohio, to capture reactions to the vice presidential debate. We also report on the Haitian community's response to the controversial accusations made by the Republican candidates. Plus, a major milestone for former President Jimmy Carter as he celebrates his 100th birthday.
In the United States, nearly 24 million immigrants are eligible to vote in November’s presidential election, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. census data. VOA’s Jeff Swicord spoke with two naturalized citizens about the choices they are making in this vote.
Tim Walz and JD Vance will face off in a vice presidential debate on Oct. 1 9pm EDT in New York City. Watch it on CBS, PBS, YouTube, or other streaming services.
In the U.S. election, vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz meet Tuesday for their first, and only, debate. VOA Correspondent Scott Stearns looks at what to expect when the candidates meet in New York.
The foreign policy positions of the two vice presidential candidates are coming into sharper focus. Democratic nominee Tim Walz and Republican nominee JD Vance present distinctly different approaches to global challenges.
POP Quiz:
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 100:36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Join us on The Inside Story as we report on President Biden's final address in NY at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Plus, we report on the potential shifts in foreign policy and what they might look like after Americans vote in the presidential election this coming November. That's this week on The Inside Story USAVOTES 2024.
USCIS' new insignia features the Statue of Liberty as a visual depiction of our commitment to upholding America's promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve. Read more.
Participants will identify the latest civics and online voting and 2024 Election resources appropriate for ELL, ABE, and Citizenship adult learners in the form of mobile apps, videos, podcasts, websites, activities, and more. By adapting and incorporating these digital resources, participants will be able to deliver relevant content about voting in online, blended, distance, or directed self-study learning environments. Check our the COABE VOTER RESOURCES page.
Speakers:
Jennifer Gagliardi from LINCS, and Chris Myers, Opportunities Industrialization Center of Oklahoma County, and a 2024 SAAEF Fellow
Every September 17 we celebrate Constitution Day as well as Citizenship Day, a holiday meant to honor and celebrate the privileges and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship for both native-born and naturalized citizens. In recognition of this special observance, watch live as the National Constitution Center hosts an annual Naturalization Ceremony as part of our Constitution Day celebrations, during which 50 immigrants from across the globe will take the Oath of Allegiance to officially become citizens of the United States. The Honorable John R. Padova, senior judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, will preside over the ceremony. National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen will offer remarks and MSNBC host and NCC Trustee Ali Velshi will give the keynote address.
USCIS 100:53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
give up loyalty to other countries
defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
obey the laws of the United States
serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)
VOA reports on a small town in Ohio at the center of the presidential campaign. Plus, we cover the forces threatening U.S. election integrity. This week on The Inside Story: USA VOTES 2024.
Every four years, the US presidential race zeroes in on "swing states." These battlegrounds, unlike states that consistently favor one party, can flip between elections and often determine who wins the White House. Understanding swing states is essential to grasping how America picks its president.
USCIS 100:64. There were 13 original states. Name the three swing states that were original states.
USCIS 100:92. Name one swing state that borders Canada.
USCIS 100:93. Name one swing state that borders Mexico.
American women are poised to play an important role in deciding the 2024 U.S. presidential election. In recent years, women have registered to vote and cast votes at higher rates than men. Although women are not a monolithic voting bloc, the trends favor one major party over the other.
POP Quiz:
USCIS 100:45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?*
USCIS 100:48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
This week on The Inside Story, American voters react to the first presidential debate between Republican candidate, Donald Trump, and Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris. Hear the details of what happened and what voters want from the candidates. Plus, we follow the path to freedom of our colleague, Alsu Kurmasheva, and hear from her husband about the journey to bring her back home. Join us this week on The Inside Story.
POP QUIZ
USCIS 100:06. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
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 100:45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?*
USCIS 100:46. What is the political party of the President now?
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 100:51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
WASHINGTON — On Sept. 17, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day as part of Constitution Week (Sept. 17 to 23). The commemoration honors both the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day.” Citizenship Day began in 1952, signed into law by President Harry Truman and, in 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed the first Constitution Week.
“We continue to work in communities to raise awareness about citizenship in line with our mission to uphold America’s promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect, and Constitution Week provides the opportunity to highlight this mission,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “We are committed to removing barriers to immigration benefits and ensuring that we operate fairly and efficiently.”
Each year, USCIS celebrates Constitution Week by celebrating the connection between the Constitution and citizenship, reflecting on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and holding special naturalization ceremonies across the country. The Constitution plays a meaningful role in the lives of all Americans, but particularly for those who are Americans by choice. The Constitution not only establishes the rule of law, but it also creates the framework for an immigration system that enables immigrants to become citizens.
As part of Constitution Week, USCIS will welcome more than 17,000 new citizens in over 400 naturalization ceremonies across the nation from Sept. 14-23. Among the special naturalization ceremonies taking place is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation event on Sept. 17, where USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou will administer the Oath of Allegiance. For additional venues, please view a list of highlighted 2024 Constitution Week themed ceremonies.
The 2024 Constitution Week caps a year of notable accomplishments for USCIS in promoting citizenship and upholding our mission by making the naturalization process accessible to all who are eligible, including:
Decreasing the naturalization backlog by 60 percent and returned to processing times under six months. Learn more about backlog reduction on ourimmigration data page.
Eligible lawful permanent residents go through a comprehensive, multi-step process to become U.S. citizens. The final step in the naturalization process is the most important one, the Oath of Allegiance.
To help applicants prepare to become U.S. citizens, USCIS provides study materials and resources, including a mobile app, USCIS: Civics Test Study Tools, which is currently available in the Apple App and Google Play Store. To find it, search for “USCIS civics test” or “USCIS.” In addition to being the only official USCIS Civics Test application, the app keeps old practice tests for review, has a game to challenge users’ civics knowledge, and lists all 100 questions and answers that could be asked in the actual civics test. Applicants can also access a civics practice test on the Citizenship Resource Center.
Following each naturalization ceremony, we encourage new U.S. citizens and their families and friends to share their naturalization photos on social media using the hashtags #NewUSCitizen, #ConstitutionWeek, and #WeThePeople.
This year, about 8 million young people will turn 18 and become eligible to vote. In all, an estimated 41 million members of Gen Z — people under age 27 — will be able to vote in the 2024 presidential election.
USCIS 100: 48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
USCIS 100:54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*
Arboreal Survivor of 9/11 is Alive, and Well Joyce Kilmer, an American poet who died in 1918, wrote a famous poem called Trees. It opens with: "I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree." In 2013, if alive, he could have written about a tree that loves life and defeated tragedy.
USCIS 100:86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
Today is California Admissions Day! I have created and uploaded a simple .pdf about the State of California. I included info about our local government officials for the students of Milpitas Adult School. Edit the pdf for your own officials.
USCIS 100:20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*
USCIS 100:23. Name your U.S. Representative.
USCIS 100:43. Who is the Governor of your state now?
The pdfs are fillable (to encourage digital literacy and support distance learning). Additionally, I have made every effort to make the pdfs accessible to people of all abilities.
Imagine taking 25 years to complete one task. Ana Yadira Aparicio Calderon, who goes by Yayo, took more than two decades of tears, fear, and community support to complete her task of becoming a U.S. citizen. (read more)
