E PLURIBUS

US Flag Reinvented To Reflect Immigrant Heritage

New Patriotic Star Stamp Coming in 2013

USCIS 100:97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?

In 2013, USPS will continue its long tradition of patriotism with the release of the Patriotic Star stamp. (read more)

USCIS 100:97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?*

▪ because there is one star for each state
▪ because each star represents a state
▪ because there are 50 states

West Wing Week: 12/28/12 or "Best of the West (Wing Week)"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 12/28/12 or "Best of the West (Wing Week)"

Welcome to the "Best of the West (Wing Week)!" That's right, folks, West Wing Week took some time over the holidays to reflect on a busy year in video, and to bring you some highlights from the archive. But first, a quick wrap up of the President's week.

Obama Named Time's Person of the Year

USCIS 100:28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?

VOAVideo: Obama Named Time's Person of the Year

Time Magazine has named President Barack Obama its "Person of the Year" for 2012, following a tumultuous year in U.S. politics. Mr. Obama won re-election after a hard-fought campaign against Republican Mitt Romney. But the president has no shortage of challenges awaiting him in a second term, as we hear from VOA national correspondent Jim Malone.

USCIS 100:28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*

▪ Barack Obama
▪ Obama

USCS 100:10 Freedom of Religion

MP3 USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

· You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

PDF USCIS 100:10. M638 Quick Civic Lesson, more historical background, USPS stamps, and dictation!

1. New Year Day is January 1st.

2. New York City was the first capital of the United States

3. You are free to practice any religion or not practice a religion.

(originally posted Thursday, February 3, 2011)

Washington Crossing the Delaware, Christmas Night 1776

Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmanuel Leutze, 1861

uscitizenpod: A brief history (and puzzle) of Washington Crossing the Delaware, Christmas Night 1776 (download pdf)

Holidays at the White House 2012

wh.com: Holidays at the White House 2012

Go behind the scenes as volunteers decorate the White House for the holidays. See Bo inspect the decorations, the 2012 White House Menorah, holiday ginger crinkles recipe from the White House pastry chef and more at http://www.whitehouse.gov/holidays

White House Time-Lapse: The 2012 Gingerbread Dough White House

wh.gov: White House Time-Lapse: The 2012 Gingerbread Dough White House

Happy Holidays America!! http://www.whitehouse.gov/holidays

Senator Kerry Has Extensive Foreign Policy Credentials

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

VOAVideo: Senator Kerry Has Extensive Foreign Policy Credentials

President Barack Obama's expected choice to lead the State Department after Hillary Clinton's departure, Democratic Senator John Kerry, has vast experience on the world stage gained through a lifetime of public service. VOA Senate correspondent Michael Bowman has more in this report.

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

▪ Secretary of Agriculture
▪ Secretary of Commerce
▪ Secretary of Defense
▪ Secretary of Education
▪ Secretary of Energy
▪ Secretary of Health and Human Services
▪ Secretary of Homeland Security
▪ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
▪ Secretary of the Interior
▪ Secretary of Labor
▪ Secretary of State
▪ Secretary of Transportation
▪ Secretary of the Treasury
▪ Secretary of Veterans Affairs
▪ Attorney General
▪ Vice President

Implementation of New USCIS Immigrant Fee Feb. 1

Implementation of New USCIS Immigrant Fee Feb. 1

New fee allows USCIS to recover the costs of processing immigrant visas after individuals receive their visa packages from the Department of State abroad.

On Feb. 1, 2013,U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin collecting a new USCIS Immigrant Fee of $165 from foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the United States. This new fee was established in USCIS’s final rule adjusting fees for immigration applications and petitions announced on Sept. 24, 2010.

Who Needs to Pay the Fee

Any individual who on or after February 1, 2013 receives an immigrant visa package from a United States consulate or embassy abroad (including Canada and Mexico) will pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee.

(read more)

West Wing Week: 12/21/12 or "We Are There For Them"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 12/21/12 or "We Are There For Them"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President addressed the national tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, and promised meaningful action to address gun violence, while the White House invited some of its newest Pinterest followers, and the President spread some holiday cheer.

WHY?

NEWTOWN, CT – DECEMBER 18: A sign hangs near a cemetery where shooting victim Jessica Rekos was to be buried on December 18, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut. Credit: Getty Images 

The 2012 White House Menorah

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday.

wh.gov: The 2012 White House Menorah

The 2012 White House Menorah is from Temple Israel in Long Beach, New York and a survivor of the damage inflicted by Hurricane Sandy.


USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

CITIZENSHIP TEST: Lê Thị Hiệp (Đà Lạt, Vietnam)

CITIZENSHIP TEST: Lê Thị Hiệp (Đà Lạt, Vietnam)

Prepare for your citizenship interview with a multiple choice test about Lê Thị Hiệp's interview and 10 USCIS questions.

This quiz was inspired by my students from Vietnam--I am so thankful for all of my students!

(download pdf)

Killing of US School Children Sparks Gun Control Discussion

US Constitution Second Amendment

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, 
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

VOAVideo: Killing of US School Children Sparks Gun Control Discussion

Friday's mass shooting in a Connecticut elementary school has again sparked a national discussion about gun control. While arms possession enjoys constitutional protection premised on the need to protect the security of a free state, thousands of Americans die every year because of gun violence. VOA Correspondent Peter Fedynsky looks at the issue from the point of view of the town reeling from the latest incidence of such violence.

USCIS 100:51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

▪ freedom of expression
▪ freedom of speech
▪ freedom of assembly
▪ freedom to petition the government
▪ freedom of worship
▪ the right to bear arms

Flag of Honor

President Obama Makes a Statement on the Shooting in Newtown, Connecticut

VOANews: 26 Dead in Connecticut School Shooting

President Obama Makes a Statement on the Shooting in Newtown, Connecticut

President Obama delivers a statement on today's shooting at a school in Newtown, Connecticut. December 14, 2012. (transcript)

THE PRESIDENT: This afternoon, I spoke with Governor Malloy and FBI Director Mueller. I offered Governor Malloy my condolences on behalf of the nation, and made it clear he will have every single resource that he needs to investigate this heinous crime, care for the victims, counsel their families.

We’ve endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years. And each time I learn the news I react not as a President, but as anybody else would -- as a parent. And that was especially true today. I know there’s not a parent in America who doesn’t feel the same overwhelming grief that I do.

The majority of those who died today were children -- beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them -- birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers -- men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams.

So our hearts are broken today -- for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children, and for the families of the adults who were lost. Our hearts are broken for the parents of the survivors as well, for as blessed as they are to have their children home tonight, they know that their children’s innocence has been torn away from them too early, and there are no words that will ease their pain.

As a country, we have been through this too many times. Whether it’s an elementary school in Newtown, or a shopping mall in Oregon, or a temple in Wisconsin, or a movie theater in Aurora, or a street corner in Chicago -- these neighborhoods are our neighborhoods, and these children are our children. And we're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics.

This evening, Michelle and I will do what I know every parent in America will do, which is hug our children a little tighter and we’ll tell them that we love them, and we’ll remind each other how deeply we love one another. But there are families in Connecticut who cannot do that tonight. And they need all of us right now. In the hard days to come, that community needs us to be at our best as Americans. And I will do everything in my power as President to help.

Because while nothing can fill the space of a lost child or loved one, all of us can extend a hand to those in need -- to remind them that we are there for them, that we are praying for them, that the love they felt for those they lost endures not just in their memories but also in ours.

May God bless the memory of the victims and, in the words of Scripture, heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.

********************************************************************************

WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO: Immediately address the issue of gun control through the introduction of legislation in Congress

West Wing Week: 12/14/12 or "True to Ourselves and Our History"

West Wing Week: 12/14/12 or "True to Ourselves and Our History"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the First Family attended the annual Christmas in Washington concert, the Vice President talked #My2k over lunch with middle-class Americans and attended the Army Navy football game with Dr. Biden, while the President signed the Child Protection Act into law, visited the Daimler Detroit Diesel plant, joined conference calls with Latino leaders and Mayors, and invited regional television reporters to the White House for a series of interviews.

New Music Icons Series of Stamps Debuts in Early 2013 With Lydia Mendoza

In 2013, the U.S. Postal Service will kick off its new Music Icons series with this stamp honoring Lydia Mendoza (1916–2007), one of the first and greatest stars of Tejano music: (read more)

USCIS 100:93. Name one state that borders Mexico.

▪ California
▪ Arizona
▪ New Mexico
▪ Texas

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Virgen de Tepeyac,


Patroness of the Americas,


Mother Without Borders,


PRAY FOR US!