Halloween at the White House

wh.gov: Halloween at the White House

ESL Podcast 733 – Voting in an Election

ESL Podcast 733 – Voting in an Election

Vote early and vote often in this episode that’s all about elections. Download Podcast

West Wing Week: 10/28/11 or "We Can't Wait"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 10/28/11 or "We Can't Wait"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President announced he'd keep his promise to bring our troops home from Iraq, honored the nation's top scientists and inventors, embarked on a three day Western swing to urge Congress to pass the American Jobs Act and announced major new executive actions that will help middle class families in this difficult economy. That's October 21st to October 27th or "We Can't Wait."

New High-Tech Security Features for Top USCIS Documents

USCIS Blog: New High-Tech Security Features for Top USCIS Documents

Stopping counterfeiters and other scammers from tampering with official USCIS documents is a top priority. That’s why we added new security features on the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560). (read more)

President Obama in Las Vegas

wh.gov: President Obama in Las Vegas

The President meets with a Las Vegas family who was able to buy a home with help from the Administration's housing policies. October 24, 2011.

United Nations Day!

USCIS 96:82. Name one purpose of the United Nations?

UnitedNations: Highlights of UN Audio and Photo Archives

October 2011 - What do the movies Transformers 3, Independence Day, Lord of War and King Kong have in common? They all used archival material obtained from the United Nations in their production. Many more movie did the same.

And what about Khrushchev banging his fist during the debate on the Congo crisis; Yasser Arafat's famed "rifle and olive branch" speech; Castro, Deng Xiaoping, Mandela, Kings and Queens and occasionally the Pope? These historic footage is all kept at the United Nations audiovisual archives.

And what's more? Film footage going back to the League of Nations -- the Commission of Enquiry into Events in Manchuria on the eve of the WWII, for example; Security Council meetings dealing with all major issues related to international peace and security since 1945; UN Radio dramas featuring Laurence Olivier, Audrey Hepburn, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby; interviews with cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and footballer Pelé; concerts by world renowned orchestras in the General Assembly Hall...

The audio and photo archives held by the UN Department of Public Information (http://www.un.org/av/) are a unique collection that tells the stories not only of international diplomacy that shaped our history but also of the people and the times they lived in. The collection comprises 37,500 hours of film and video, 800,000 photographs, and about 55,000.00 hours of audio recordings.

27 October is World Day of Audiovisual Heritage, declared by UNESCO in 2005, a day which aims to raise awareness of the importance of audiovisual documents and draw attention to the urgent need to safeguard them.

USCIS 96:82. Name one purpose of the United Nations?**

For countries to discuss and try to resolve world problems, to provide economic aid to many countries.

**This question is from the OLD set of the USCIS 96 Government and History Questions

US Weighs Fencing Parts of Shared Canadian Border

USCIS 100:92. Name one state that borders Canada.

VOANews: US Weighs Fencing Parts of Shared Canadian BorderThe United States and Canada share the longest unfortified border in the world. In the border town of Blaine, Washington, a shallow ditch and some warning signs are all that separate U.S. territory from Canada. But that could be about to change. (download mp3)

USCIS 100:92. Name one state that borders Canada.

▪ Maine
▪ New Hampshire
▪ Vermont
▪ New York
▪ Pennsylvania
▪ Ohio
▪ Michigan
▪ Minnesota
▪ North Dakota
▪ Montana
▪ Idaho
▪ Washington
▪ Alaska

Joining Forces.gov

Military Families serve our nation too.
Let's all show our appreciation by #JoiningForces with them.
Get involved: JoiningForces.gov--mo

Right before Game One of the 2011 World Series in St. Louis, MO, First Lady Michelle Obama posts her first tweet from an official White House account. Watch the behind-the-scenes video and follow Joining Forces on Twitter: http://twitter.com/joiningforces

JoiningForces.gov

1% of Americans may be fighting our wars, but we need 100% of Americans to be supporting our troops and their families. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden are asking Americans to get involved in any way they can.

West Wing Week: 10/21/11 or, "Right Now!"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 10/21/11 or, "Right Now!"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President traveled to Detroit with the President of South Korea, dedicated the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, embarked on a three day American Jobs act bus tour, bestowed the Presidential Citizens Medal and hosted the Norwegian Prime Minister. That's October 14th to October 20th or: "Right Now!"

President Obama Delivers Remarks at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication

wh.gov: President Obama Delivers Remarks at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication

In his remarks at The National Mall President Obama said, "For this day, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s return to the National Mall. In this place, he will stand for all time, among monuments to those who fathered this nation and those who defended it; a black preacher with no official rank or title who somehow gave voice to our deepest dreams and our most lasting ideals, a man who stirred our conscience and thereby helped make our union more perfect." October 16, 2011.

Text of President Obama Delivers Remarks at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Dedicated

VOAVideo: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Dedicated

Delayed by Hurricane Irene in August, the day finally came. U.S. President Barack Obama, the country's first black president, dedicated a $120-million statue and memorial park Sunday to the slain civil rights leader who helped pave the way for him and many others in the United States. VOA's Laurel Bowman was there.

Visitors Admire MLK Memorial

VOAVideo: Visitors Admire MLK Memorial

At the age of 34, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. captivated a nation with his "I have a Dream" speech. At 35, he became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Four years later, he was assassinated. But his legacy will live on as the nation's capital gets ready to officially dedicate a memorial to him on the National Mall. On Sunday, the nation dedicates that memorial, more than a month after a hurricane forced its delay.

West Wing Week: 10/14/11 or "We Go Together"

VOAVideo: West Wing Week: 10/14/11 or "We Go Together"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President continued to fight for the proposals in the American Jobs Act to put folks back to work and grow the economy. The President welcomed the 1985 Chicago Bears and the Tunisian Prime Minister to the White House, traveled to Pittsburgh to convene a meeting of his jobs council, attended the forum on American Latino heritage, and hosted the President of South Korea for a State Visit. That's October 7th to the 13th or "We Go Together."

Crops of the Americas

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

arago.si.edu: Crops of the Americas

The United States Postal Service issued Crops of the Americas stamps in 2006, in New York, New York.

Artist Steve Buchanan of Winsted, Connecticut, created the art for the five stamps. As reference, he used slide photographs made by his wife Rita who studied Native American farming methods in the southwestern United States. The crops shown in the stamps - corn, chili peppers, beans, squashes, and sunflowers - had been cultivated in the Americas for centuries before Columbus and Europeans arrived in the New World.

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

▪ American Indians
▪ Native Americans

Reconsider Columbus Day

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

nuheightzcinema: Reconsider Columbus Day

On this Columbus Day holiday, join the call for an Indigenous People's Day.

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

[USCIS Officers will be supplied with a list of federally recognized American Indian tribes.]

▪ Cherokee
▪ Navajo
▪ Sioux
▪ Chippewa
▪ Choctaw
▪ Pueblo
▪ Apache
▪ Iroquois
▪ Creek
▪ Blackfeet
▪ Seminole
▪ Cheyenne
▪ Arawak
▪ Shawnee
▪ Mohegan
▪ Huron
▪ Oneida
▪ Lakota
▪ Crow
▪ Teton
▪ Hopi
▪ Inuit

Columbus Day

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

ELCivics.com: Columbus Day Lesson

NPR Sunday Puzzler: A Highly Logical Christopher Columbus (October 9, 2011)

Listen and identify errors of fact, logic and grammar in a short essay on Christopher Columbus.

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

Anti-Wall Street Protest Spreads To Washington

VOAVideo: Anti-Wall Street Protest Spreads To Washington

The anti-capitalist protests that began near Wall Street in New York are spreading to other cities. Unlike the Tea Party movement, which blames big government for America's economic problems, the so-called Occupy movement holds big business responsible. Our reporter went to its first rally in Washington, DC.

USCIS 100:51

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

West Wing Week 10/07/11 or "Why is that White House Pink?"

VOAVideo: West Wing Week 10/07/11 or "Why is that White House Pink?"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President continued to call on Congress to pass the American Jobs Act, welcomed a new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke at the Human Rights Campaign annual dinner, hosted a Cabinet meeting, traveled to Texas, and convened a televised news conference. That's September 30th to October 6th or "Why Is That White House Pink?"

'Occupy Wall Street' Protest Joined by Labor, Community Groups

USCIS 100:06. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*



VOAVideo: 'Occupy Wall Street' Protest Joined by Labor, Community Groups

Anti-Wall Street protestors were joined Wednesday by labor unions and community organizers demonstrating in New York against what they see as economic injustice.

USCIS 100:06. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*

▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government

ESL Podcast 726 – Taking the Driving Test

USCIS 100:42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states.
What is one power of the states?

ESL Podcast 726 – Taking the Driving Test

Learning to drive can be scary – for you, and the teacher. Learn about taking a driving test in this episode. Download Podcast

More study material for the California Driver's License test.

• CA.DMV.gov Publication and handbooks


• CA.DMV.gov Videos- Captioned

USCIS 100:42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?

▪ provide schooling and education
▪ provide protection (police)
▪ provide safety (fire departments)
▪ give a driver’s license
▪ approve zoning and land use

Hispanic Heritage Month

ChannelOneNews: Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

USCIS Aids Victims of Human Trafficking & Other Crimes

USCIS.gov: Victims of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes

USCIS helps protect victims of human trafficking and other crimes by providing immigration relief. There are two types of immigration relief we provide to victims of human trafficking and other crimes:

T Nonimmigrant Status (T Visa)
T nonimmigrant status provides immigration protection to victims of trafficking. The T Visa allows victims to remain in the United States and assist law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking cases.

U Nonimmigrant Status (U Visa)
U nonimmigrant status provides immigration protection to crime victims who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse as a result of the crime. The U visa allows victims to remain in the United States and assist law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity.

Resources for Victims of Human Trafficking & Other Crimes
USCIS offers resources for victims of human trafficking and other crimes and the organizations that serve them. This information is designed to help answer any questions you or your family might have about obtaining T or U Nonimmigrant status.

Naturalization Ceremony with Outstanding American by Choice, Madeleine Albright

USCIS: Naturalization Ceremony with Outstanding American by Choice, Madeleine Albright

Friday, September 23, 2011, 50 U.S. permanent residents took the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizens in the heart of our nation's capital.

Our newest citizens follow in the footsteps of our 64th Secretary of State Madeleine Albright -- herself a naturalized citizen -- who was recognized during the event as an Outstanding American by Choice. Secretary Albright's inspiring remarks reminded us all of the incredible contributions naturalized citizens can bring to our nation.

Also see the DHS.gov Blog post: Celebrating Citizenship Day and the Outstanding American by Choice Initiative

National Hispanic Heritage Month: USPS Stamps

Arago: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: People, Places and Events on Stamps

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Arago: the Smithsonian National Postal Museum has a great online exhibit: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: People, Places and Events on Stamps (updated 9/10/2012). Check it out!

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.