Statue of Liberty Elbows Out Older 'Sister'

VOANews: Statue of Liberty Elbows Out Older 'Sister'

Miss Columbia used to hang with Uncle Sam (mp3)

BREAKING NEWS: Obama Calls for Comprehensive Immigration Reform!!!

VOA BREAKING NEWS: Obama Calls for Comprehensive Immigration Reform!

President Obama has called for comprehensive immigration reform in the United States.

The president said the country needs a system that upholds the law, while also upholding the nation's tradition as a land of immigrants.

He said border security and employment verification need to be addressed. And he said there should be a pathway to legal status for some of those in the country illegally, including young people who live here now, and who were brought to the U.S. by a parent or someone else.

West Wing Week 06/23/11 or "The Receding Tide"

West Wing Week 06/23/11 or "The Receding Tide"
Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, President Obama addressed the nation on his plan to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan, delivering on a promise he made to the American people in December of 2009. The President also traveled Fort Drum to meet with soldiers and their families, welcomed young elected officials to the White House, and talked to mayors from across the country about job creation and economic growth.

First Lady Challenges Africa's Youth

VOANews: First Lady Challenges Africa's Youth

On her visit to South Africa, U.S. first lady Michelle Obama has stepped into the spotlight and asked Africa's youth to join her on a quest for democratic progress, better education and wellness. VOA's Nico Colombant has more from Soweto, South Africa.

Americans React to President's Plans for Afghanistan

Americans React to President's Plans for Afghanistan

President Barack Obama's plan to withdraw thousands of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, beginning next month, is widely seen as a compromise - more than what top military officers advised, yet fewer than many lawmakers in Congress want. VOA's Carolyn Presutti sampled public opinion.

Barack Obama Exclusive VOA Interview on Afghanistan

Barack Obama Exclusive VOA Interview on Afghanistan

President Obama discusses his decision on withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan, the future of the US presence in Afghanistan, and the status of America's relationships with Pakistan and NATO in this exclusive interview with the Voice of America.

VOA Exclusive: Obama Defends Decision on Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal

VOA Exclusive: Obama Defends Decision on Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal

President Obama talks to VOA about his decision to bring 10,000 US troops home from Afghanistan by the end of the year, and the future of the US presence in that country. Andre DeNesnera reports.

Milpitas Adult School Citizenship Party

Milpitas Adult School Citizenship Party

ESL1 & ESL2 joined the Citizenship students End-of-the-School-Year party. Special Guest: New Citizen Su Menh Chu!

Define American: Jose's Story

DefneAmerican: Jose's Story

Define American is a project of the Tides Center, a nonprofit public charity. Our campaign is about asking: How do we define an American? Why do people come to this country? Who are the American citizens who help them? When it comes to undocumented immigrants, what would you do? As a teacher? A friend? A mother? Define American, with your help, will answer those questions.

Read the full story: My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant By JOSE ANTONIO VARGAS, NYTimes Magazine 06/22/2011

DefineAmerican Channel on YouTube.

World Refugee Day

USCIS: World Refugee Day

What is a Refugee?

Under U.S. law a refugee is an individual who:

• Is located outside of the United States


• Demonstrates that they were persecuted or fear persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group Is not firmly resettled in another country


• Is of special humanitarian concern to the United States


• Is admissible to the United States

A refugee does not include anyone who ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Learn more:

• USCIS: Humanitarian


• USCIS The Beacon: World Refugee Day: One USCIS Officer’s Reflections


• ESL Holiday Lessons.com: World Refugee Day


• RefugeeWeek.org.uk Simple Acts Quiz

Presidential Weekly Address: Celebrating Fathers

Presidential Weekly Address: Celebrating Fathers

On Father's Day weekend, President Obama reflects on his experience as a parent and discusses the challenges and necessity of being a good father.

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.