The hope for a 'free China' lives on in a new Manhattan museum dedicated to China's 1989 suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations around Tiananmen Square, exhibit organizers said ahead of the 34th anniversary of the crackdown.
An effort called the Welcome Blanket project aims to help refugees by giving them hand-made blankets. The project has grown over the years. Recently, Welcome Blanket showed at least 86 blankets at the Heritage Mill Museum in Winooski, Vermont.
The blankets were made by people who sewed, crocheted and knitted them. The person who made the blanket then attaches a handwritten note. The blankets were then given to refugees.
The national group describes its efforts as an artistic action that supports refugees settling in the United States. (read more | listen)
HARLINGEN, TEXAS —
U.S. authorities on Thursday expanded slots to seek asylum at land crossings with Mexico through a mobile app for the second time in less than a month, seeking to dispel doubts it isn't a viable option.
There are now 1,250 appointments daily at eight land crossings, up from 1,000 previously and 740 in early May.
The increase "reflects our commitment to continue to expand lawful options for migrants," said Blas Nuñez-Neto, the Homeland Security Department's assistant secretary for border and immigration policy. "We'll continue to expand appointments at the border as our operations allow in terms of capacity." (read more)
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.
Memorial Day: Vietnam Time Line (video)
Ngo Huu Phuc reads "The Vietnam Time Line" essay in honor of Memorial Day. Mr Ngo was a mechanic in the South Vietnam Air Force and studied for US Citizenship at Milpitas Adult School. He became a US Citizen in 2009. You can find a copy of "The Vietnam Time Line" in HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL DAYS IN THE USA by Mary Glasgow, Scholastic Inc., 2001, ISBN 1-900702-59-2.
The Vietnam War Memorial, Washington DC(photos) The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, The Three Soldiers, and The Vietnam Women's Memorial, april 2013. I took this picture in 2010 near the Vietnam Heritage Garden, San Jose. May the American and Vietnamese peoples always stand together!
I hate war. I hate violence. I hate greed. I look at this name etched into granite and wonder ... what if?
Over the course of the couple hours I was at this memorial today people came and went. Parents, siblings, friends, vets, Vietnamese with bouquets of thanks. Everyone had a story. "Do you have someone on the wall?" The answer was always yes and the story told. A man came and put his hand on my shoulder. After several moments we spoke. He helped with find raising the memorial and talked about his buddies who are on the wall. I shared about Gus.
American Pentecost: A Citizenship Quiz about Languages in America Podcast | Video | PDF
An American Pentecost:
We are American Indians, Native Alaskans, Europeans, Latinos, Africans, Arabs, Asians, Pacific Islanders-- yet all of us hear America speaking in our own languages about FREEDOM!
For more info about languages spoken in America:
Slate: Tagalog in California, Cherokee in Arkansas: What language does your state speak? By Ben Blatt (great graphics)
Section 203 targets those language minorities that have suffered a history of exclusion from the political process: Spanish, Asian, Native American, and Alaskan Native. The Census Bureau identifies specific language groups for specific jurisdictions.
Section 203 says that jurisdictions (cities, counties, states) shall provide election materials in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English language.
Sources:
DOJ: MINORITY LANGUAGE CITIZENS: Section 203 of the voting Rights Act
Antonio and his family have been living in a Tijuana shelter for months after fleeing violence in the Mexican state of Michoacan in 2020. After months of trying, they secured an appointment to seek asylum in the United States and will be some of the first to be processed after the lifting of Title 42, a pandemic-era policy.
VOA Mandarin's Hai Lun, Mo Yu and Ning Lu and VOA Spanish's Victor Hugo Castillo traveled to Mexican and Texas border cities to talk to Chinese migrants who had come from South America. VOA's Elizabeth Lee tells the story. Cameras: Hai Lun, Ning Lu, Victor Hugo Castillo, Oscar Cavadia.
The midwestern city of Chicago is struggling to accommodate a wave of migrants, many from Central and South America, transported to the city after entering the U.S. at America’s southern border. VOA's Kane Farabaugh reports on how the city and aid agencies are mobilizing to tend to asylum-seekers’ critical needs
The nationalities of the migrants seeking to enter the United States at the U.S.-Mexico border have shifted over the past few months. From the Rio Grande Valley area in Texas, VOA's immigration correspondent Aline Barros reports.
Since the COVID-era immigration policy known as Title 42 ended last week, the U.S. says it has sent thousands of people who have crossed into the U.S. irregularly back to Mexico or back home. But many immigrants who want to follow the rules say it is very difficult to apply for asylum. VOA's Celia Mendoza reports. #mexico #usa #immigration #voanews
We're diving into the U.S. immigration dilemma and exploring the growing surge of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Find out what Washington is doing to address this long-troubled immigration policy and how it's impacting the safety and management of people in this humanitarian crisis.
Since the COVID-era immigration policy known as Title 42 ended last week, the U.S. says it has sent thousands of people who have crossed into the U.S. irregularly back to Mexico or back home. But many immigrants who want to follow the rules say it is very difficult to apply for asylum. VOA's Celia Mendoza reports.
The United States is bracing for a surge of migrants attempting to cross its southern border following Thursday’s expiration of Title 42, a pandemic-related policy that allowed the U.S. to expel migrants more than 2.8 million times, according to oversight groups. The White House, which is being blamed for chaotic scenes at the border, is defending itself against criticism and saying Congress needs to act. VOA’s Anita Powell reports from Washington.
On May 10, the day before Title 42 ends, VOA China Branch team witnessed a large group of migrants in Mexican border city Matamoros.
One Chinese female migrant was among them. She pulled out her waterproof bag from a blue suitcase and jumped into Rio Grande and started swimming across the river.
She briefly answered our reporter's question and said that she had left China a month ago but refused to give further information. With a local person's help, the Chinese woman arrived on the U.S. side safely.
Drone footage showed her walking on the U.S. side of the shore.
When the Title 42 public health Order lifts on May 11, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will revert to fully utilizing Title 8 immigration enforcement processes.
Under Title 8, those who unlawfully cross the border are subject to criminal consequences, including possible deportation, prosecution, and a five-year bar on reentry.
Our message remains clear to those seeking to come to the United States: Do not believe smugglers. Do not put your life at risk by taking the dangerous journey only to be sent back. Use lawful pathways to come to the United States. The United States will continue to remove noncitizens who arrive without authorization.
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) just announced their Post-Title 42 Resource Hub. This is a page of resources for legal practitioners, advocates, and others helping immigrant clients navigate the immigration system post-Title 42.
This week, we're at the United Nations for the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day. Where is a free and independent media in the greatest danger? And who is fighting to ensure the rights of journalists? Join us on The Inside Story: A Free Press Matters.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has named Abdirahman Kahin, a Somali American restaurant chain owner in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the National Small Business Person of the Year for 2023. Mohamud Mascadde in Minneapolis and Abdulaziz Osman Washington have more in this report, narrated by Salem Solomon. Videographers: Abdulaziz Osman and Mohamud Mascadde.
POP QUIZ:
USCIS 100:11. What is the economic system in the United States?*
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?
USCIS 100:58. What is one reason colonists came to America?
BONUS 1: Abdirahman Kahin's home state borders Canada. Name this state.
BONUS 2: One of the two longest rivers in the United States starts in Abdirahman Kahin's home state. Name this river.