US Revises Deportation Program

VOANews: US Revises Deportation Program

U.S. authorities say they are modifying how they enforce a key immigration program to concentrate on the most serious criminals.

West Wing Week: 06/17/11 or "Where the Future Will Be Won"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 06/17/11 or "Where the Future Will Be Won"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, walk step-by-step with President Obama as he meets with his Jobs Council to discuss ideas that will improve America's competitiveness, tours a leading manufacturer of energy efficient lighting in North Carolina, travels to Puerto Rico, hosts a Father's Day event for military dad's and their kids, and more.

Flag Day!

When is Flag Day?

My father displays the flag on Flag Day (June 14) and other civic holidays.

Flag Day is in June.

USCIS 100:52, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Oath of Allegiance, and the N-400

Compare USCIS 100:52, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Oath of Allegiance, and the N-400. Illustrated with USPS stamps of the American Flag. (download pdf)

New Citizen: Su Menh Chu!

New Citizen: Su Menh Chu!

This year Su Menh (blue shirt), his wife Sam Nhin (white shirt), her brother Phuc Nhin (not shown), and his wife Luong Mui (striped blouse) became US Citizens. Gung Hay! Chuc Mung!

In Texas, a Museum for a Larger-Than-Life Hero, Sam Houston

VOA Learning English: In Texas, a Museum for a Larger-Than-Life Hero, Sam Houston

Sam Houston was larger than life. The city of Huntsville, Texas, has a 20-meter-tall statue of him. It is said to be the largest statue of any American hero. Nearby, the Sam Houston Memorial Museum holds many of his belongings. Patrick Nolan is the director.

PATRICK NOLAN: "He is really the only man in our history who was president of an independent country, also governor of two different states, the only man to have that distinction, Tennessee and Texas, United States senator from Texas, commanding general in a very successful war." (read more)

Author Lisa See and the 'Dreams of Joy' of Two Chinese Sisters

VOA Learning English: Author Lisa See and the 'Dreams of Joy' of Two Chinese Sisters

We talk to Chinese-American writer Lisa See about her new book.Music from Broadway plays nominated for Tony Awards. And a visit to a job-training program for immigrants AMERICAN MOSAIC (download mp3)

LISA SEE: “I’m part Chinese. But I have red hair and freckles so I don’t look very Chinese, but I did grow up in a very traditional Chinese American family. I live in Los Angeles and today, in Los Angeles, I have about four hundred relatives, of which the majority of them are still full Chinese and there there’s this spectrum with me on one end – there are about a dozen that look like me – but then, sort of, this spectrum all the way up to the majority being full Chinese.”

She says she is also part Irish. Like most Americans, she celebrates her ethnicities.

LISA SEE: “I think all of us here in the United States, we all had someone in our families who was brave enough, scared enough, dumb enough, crazy enough to leave their home country to come here. But there is still a part of us that is tied to our original homeland and we all share in that feeling no matter where you came from.”

West Wing Week 06/10/11 or "Way to Get Our Money Back"

WH.gov: West Wing Week 06/10/11 or "Way to Get Our Money Back"

This week President Obama traveled to Toledo, Ohio, home to Chrysler's Supplier Park Complex. to congratulate auto-workers on the turnaround they helped bring about. At Northern Virginia Community College the President announced new initiatives that will help improve our manufacturing workforce. He also welcomed Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany for an official visit.

New USCIS Video: The Wrong Help Can Hurt: Beware of Immigration Scams

New USCIS.gov: The Wrong Help Can Hurt: Beware of Immigration Scams

Many firms and people offer help with immigration services. Unfortunately, not all are authorized to do so. While many of these unauthorized practitioners mean well, all too many of them are out to rip you off. If you need help filing an application or petition with USCIS, be sure to seek assistance from the right place, and from people that are authorized to help. To learn more, visit http://www.uscis.gov/avoidscams

Public service announcements in Spanish and English availble USCIS.gov YouTube.

West Wing Week: 06/02/11 or "One Step at a Time"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 06/02/11 or "One Step at a Time"

This week, President Obama traveled to Joplin, Missouri to see the devastation first hand. He finished his week-long trip to Europe in Poland and on Memorial Day, he visited Arlington National Cemetery.

Flying the US Flag at Half-Mast

ESLPodcast Blog: Watch Where You Put That Flag

In the U.S., when an important person in government dies, flags are flown (displayed) at half-mast* or half-staff* (both terms are commonly used). Both of these terms mean for a flag to be flown lower on the flagpole (tall outdoor metal pole on which a flag is attached and shown). (read more)

Memorial Day 2011

USCIS 100:100. Name two national U.S. holidays.



NPR: Arlington Graves Of Iraq And Afghanistan Vets Digitized By Teen

VOANews: US Remembers Its War Dead
Americans honor US servicemen and women who gave their lives in service of the country on Memorial Day

VOANews: Obama Honors US War Dead on Memorial Day
America pays tribute to the men and women who died while in the military service

VOAVideo: 'Rolling Thunder' Veterans Group Rolls Through Washington | Jun 1, 2010

Memorial Day [May 31] is a U.S. national holiday that pays tribute to Americans killed in military service. Each year during the three-day holiday weekend around Memorial Day, the veterans group known as Rolling Thunder rumbles into Washington, D.C. The organization, with its roots in the Vietnam War of the 1960s and 1970s, focuses attention on those who were held as prisoners of war, or POWs, and who are still listed as missing in action, or MIA. VOA's Suzanne Presto takes us to the annual motorcycle gathering that culminates in the National Mall near the Vietnam Memorial.

USCIS 100:100. Name two national U.S. holidays.

▪ New Year’s Day

▪ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

▪ Presidents’ Day

▪ Memorial Day

▪ Independence Day

▪ Labor Day

▪ Columbus Day

▪ Veterans Day

▪ Thanksgiving

▪ Christmas

Six Men, a World War, a Pacific Island and an Image for All Time

Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, by Joe Rosenthal / The Associated Press.

VOA Learning English: Six Men, a World War, a Pacific Island and an Image for All Time

We remember the flag-raising captured in 1945 on Iwo Jima by a photographer and the famous statue of that historic moment THIS IS AMERICA (download mp3)

The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, located in Arlington, Virginia.

For more info about this image, see Wikipedia: Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima

ESL Podcast 689 – Listening to a Political Speech

ESL Podcast 689 – Listening to a Political Speech

Tired of the same nonsense from politicians? Learn how to complain about in English in this episode. Download Podcast
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

West Wing Week "OCONUS III: A Homecoming of Sorts"

VOAVideo: West Wing Week "OCONUS III: A Homecoming of Sorts"

This week, President Obama embarked on a six-day trip to Europe, visiting Ireland, the United Kingdom, France and Poland to engage our allies in the region on a host of issues. While overseas, the President pledged support for those back home affected by devastating tornadoes in Missouri and across the Midwest. Before leaving, the President met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and went to the CIA Headquarters in Langley, VA. That's May 20th to the 26th, or "OCONUS (Outside the Continental United States) III: A Homecoming of Sorts.

Books That Celebrate America

Scholastic: Books That Celebrate America

Honor America's birthday with fiction and nonfiction that promotes patriotism, encourages reflection, and enlivens history.

Obama in London: 'The Time for Our Leadership Is Now'

VOAVideo: Obama in London: 'The Time for Our Leadership Is Now'

Addressing Britain's Parliament on Wednesday, US President Barack Obama sent a message that the United States and Great Britain will continue to lead efforts toward world peace and democracy. The president also visited British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Civil War Photographer's Work Draws Belated Praise

VOANews: Civil War Photographer's Work Draws Belated Praise

Traveling with the troops, George Houghton captured their daily life (download mp3)

USCIS Naturalization at Basic Training: Fort Sill, Oklahoma

VOAVideo: USCIS Naturalization at Basic Training: Fort Sill, Oklahoma

Congratulations, New Citizens!

Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense.

West Wing Week: 5/13/19 - 5/19/11 or "The Commencement at Booker T"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 5/13/19 - 5/19/11 or "The Commencement at Booker T"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week the President visited flood victims in Memphis,TN before speaking at the Booker T. Washington High School graduation, celebrated the Situation Room's 50th birthday, and gave a speech on the change sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa.