Obama Calls on Americans to Honor Korean War Vets

VOAVideo: Obama Calls on Americans to Honor Korean War Vets

On the 60th anniversary of the armistice that halted the Korean War, the president pays visit to. Washington's Korean War Veterans Memorial. VOA's Kent Klein has more.

US Farmers Keep Eye on Immigration Reform

US Farmers Keep Eye on Immigration Reform

American farmers are experiencing a shortage of people to work their fields. The workers they do have are largely from Latin America and in the United States with false documents. Farmers say without immigration reform, both problems will continue. Elizabeth Lee reports from Imperial Valley, a farming region near the border of the western state of California and Mexico.

Vietnamese President Seeks New Relationship With US

VOAVideo: Vietnamese President Seeks New Relationship With US

Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang is visiting the United States this week. He met with President Obama at the White House on Thursday. Analysts say the Vietnamese president's visit comes at a time when the Southeast Asian country is facing increasing pressure to decide its future. Natalie Liu has more.

West Wing Week: 07/26/13 or "Becoming A More Perfect Union"

uscitizenpod: West Wing Week: 07/26/13 or "Becoming A More Perfect Union"

This week, the President hosted the NCAA Champion Louisville Cardinals, the President of Vietnam, pressed for the passage of comprehensive immigration reform, and laid out his vision of growing the economy from the middle class out, while traveling to Illinois, Missouri, and Florida.

Immigrant's Success Creates Abundant Opportunities for Many Others

VOAVideo: Immigrant's Success Creates Abundant Opportunities for Many Others


America is often called "The Land of Opportunity." And in 2011 alone, more than a million immigrants became permanent residents on the path to citizenship. Many come to the U.S. to escape hardships where they live, and some to give their children better opportunities. But for those with an entrepreneurial spirit, the United States sometimes helps them realize their dreams. And when that happens, it can change other people's lives as well. Arash Arabasadi of VOA's Persian News Network has one example.

Pizarra Blanca de la Casa Blanca: ¿Por qué la Reforma Migratoria es Buena Para Nuestra Economía?

wh.gov: Pizarra Blanca de la Casa Blanca: ¿Por qué la Reforma Migratoria es Buena Para Nuestra Economía?

Es claro que la reforma migratoria de sentido común es buena para nuestra economía en su totalidad. Pero no tienes que fiarte solo de nuestras palabras -- informe tras informe ha demostrado que la reforma migratoria de sentido común fortalecerá nuestra economía, estimulará la innovación y reducirá el déficit y aumentará el comercio y la exportación de productos estadounidenses. (watch this video in English)

US Immigration Reform Closely Watched by South Asian Community

VOAVideo: US Immigration Reform Closely Watched by South Asian Community

As U.S. lawmakers debate how to reform the country's immigration system, the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants are hoping for an agreement. Among them are undocumented people from South Asia, as VOA's Kokab Farshori reports.As U.S. lawmakers debate how to reform the country's immigration system, the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants are hoping for an agreement. Among them are undocumented people from South Asia, as VOA's Kokab Farshori reports.

West Wing Week: 07/19/13 or "It's Hard To Argue With Success"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 07/19/13 or "It's Hard To Argue With Success"

This week, the 44th President hosted the 41st President at the White House to confer the 5,000th Daily Point of Light award, honored Richard Cordray as the newly confirmed Director of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, sat down to talk with Spanish language news anchors, and spoke on the importance of supporting full implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

A History of Voting Rights

NYTimes: A History of Voting Rights

For much of the 20th century, voting remained a contentious issue, but the Supreme Court struck down Section 4 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act on Tuesday, suggesting that conditions have changed.

'Dreamers' Give Human Face to Immigration Reform

VOANews: 'Dreamers' Give Human Face to Immigration Reform

A network of young undocumented immigrants called "Dreamers" is playing a key role in advocating for immigration reform in the United States. Last year, President Barack Obama issued a directive giving many "Dreamers" semi-legal immigration status. As VOA's Brian Padden reports, they now are speaking out publicly, talking about the human toll of deportation policies and giving the reform movement a human face.

Trayvon Martin

Trayvon Martin
by Andrea Montano

VOANews: Just What Happened in the Trayvon Martin Shooting?

"Tragedy." That word appears again and again in comments about the Trayvon Martin shooting in Sanford, Florida. Trayvon Martin was seventeen years old and unarmed. A twenty-eight-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer shot and killed him on a rainy night in February. He says he acted in self-defense. He says the teenager attacked him. (read more)

New Face of America - Dan Bell

VOAVideo: New Face of America - Dan Bell

As lawmakers on Capitol Hill consider immigration reform, border security is emerging as a key component. In the last decade the U.S. has spent more than 90 billion dollars to secure its southern border and the Obama administration says the border has never been more secure. There have been improvements in some areas. But, as VOA reports, ranchers in Arizona say those improvements have redirected problems to other areas.Writer/ Producer/ Camera/ Editor: Jeff Swicord

West Wing Week: 07/12/13 or "Bring it On Brussels Sprout Wrap!"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 07/12/13 or "Bring it On Brussels Sprout Wrap!"

This week, the White House hosted the second Annual Kids' State Dinner, while the President laid out his vision for building a better, smarter, faster government, awarded the 2012 National Medals of Arts and Humanities, met with the Congressional Black and Congressional Hispanic Caucuses, and honored the Washington Kastles and the 1963 Ramblers.

White House White Board: Why Immigration Reform Is Good For Our Economy

uscitizenpod: White House White Board: Why Immigration Reform Is Good For Our Economy

It's clear commonsense immigration reform is good for the economy as a whole. Don't take our word for it — study after study has shown that commonsense immigration reform will strengthen the economy, spur innovation, reduce the devotion and increase US trade and exports.

New Face of America - Alfonso Aguilar

VOAVideo: New Face of America - Alfonso Aguilar

Conservative talk show host Alfonzo Aguilar, is using his Spanish-language weekly program to bring a conservative message to Hispanics. Aguilar, a former official in the Bush administration, wants the Republican Party to move forward with a comprehensive immigration reform plan. He thinks embracing immigration will give the party the best chance to retake the White House in 2016. As Voice of America reports, Alfonzo Aguilar walks a fine line in appealing to Hispanics on immigration and not angering the conservative Republican base. He is on a journey to unify the political divide within his party and create a better America. Writer/ Producer: Beth Mendelson, Camera/ Editor: Jeff Swicord

Lessons on American Presidents.com

Lessons on American Presidents.com

Handouts + MP3 + 8 Online Quizzes on all 44 US Presidents by Sean Banville

Lessons On American Presidents.com: Barack Obama
LESSON
MP3
Missing words
Matching
Hangman
Flash cards
Jumble
Reconstruction
Crossword
Fill-in-the-blank

The New Face of America - Nan Walden

VOAVideo: The New Face of America - Nan Walden

In Washington, the talk around immigration reform is centered on security and sealing the border with Mexico first. But for Arizona farmers, immigration is far more complex. In the winter months, Arizona grows more than 80 percent of certain types of produce consumed in the U.S., and farmers are dependent on migrant labor to get their crops out of the field. VOA reports near Tucson, Arizona.Writer/ Producer/ Camera/ Editor: Jeff Swicord

This American Life: Breaking the ICE

This American Life: Breaking the ICE

Reporter Michael May tells the story of activists from the National Immigrant Youth Alliance who intentionally got arrested for being undocumented. They believed if they could get inside the Broward Transitional Center in Florida, they could prevent lots of the immigrants there from being deported. Obama Administration policy, laid out in a series of documents called the Morton memos, states that non-violent immigrants who are not criminals are low priority for detention. Michael May also wrote a print version of this story, for The American Prospect. (27 minutes)activism • immigration • legal system

• Michael May

West Wing Week: 07/05/13 or "Dispatches: Africa"

wh.gv: West Wing Week: 07/05/13 or "Dispatches: Africa"

This week, the First Family traveled to Africa, for a three country, four stop visit that started in Dakar, Senegal and ended in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with stops in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa sandwiched in between. There were drums and dancing, crowds and ceremonial pomp and circumstance, meetings, forums, summits and town halls, and moving trips to both Goree and Robben Islands.

Fireworks on the National Mall from the White House

wh.gov: Fireworks on the National Mall from the White House

The National Mall fireworks as seen from the South Lawn of the White House. July 4, 2013.

FULL EPISODE: On Assignment July 4 Special Edition

VOAVideo: FULL EPISODE: On Assignment July 4 Special Edition

Segments: 

• July 4? Try July 2, America's Real Independence Day 1:27, 
• Thomas Jefferson's Contradiction 8:18, 
• *WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO* Why So Many Tibetans Have Set Themselves on Fire 13:32, 
• What's It Like to Become a US Citizen? 20:32

VOAVideo: What's It Like to Become a US Citizen? (VOA On Assignment July 4 Special Edition)

In this feature from VOA's "Voices of America" series, watch as people from around the world take the oath of U.S. citizenship and pursue the American dream.

Also watch:

VOAVideo: July 4? Try July 2, America's Real Independence Day (VOA On Assignment July 4 Special Edition)

On Assignment's Imran Siddiqui and Alex Villarreal head to the Library of Congress for a history lesson from Dr. James Hutson, chief of the Library's Manuscript Division. Hutson explains the significance of the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, and the role of Thomas Jefferson in drafting it. But although everyone talks about July 4, did you know it's actually July 2 that the founding fathers expected Americans to celebrate?

VOAVideo: US Immigration Barrier Removed for Married Gay Couples

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the federal government must recognize same-sex marriages just as it does for heterosexuals. The ruling has special significance for thousands of gay Americans married to foreign nationals or who plan to do so. VOA's Michael Bowman introduces us to one of many bi-national gay couples that will now be treated equally under U.S. immigration laws

VOAVideo: Thomas Jefferson's Contradiction (VOA On Assignment July 4 Special Edition)

Despite writing in the Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal," Thomas Jefferson owned hundreds of slaves during his lifetime. VOA's Julie Taboh explores this moral contradiction exhibited by Jefferson as he participated in the system he opposed in theory

VOAVideo: Why So Many Tibetans Have Set Themselves on Fire (VOA On Assignment July 4 Special Edition)

A new VOA documentary, Fire in the Land of Snow, explores the rise of self-immolations by Tibetans. Combining smuggled videos, firsthand accounts and interviews with experts, scholars and officials, the film provides an in-depth look at the root causes of this tragic form of protest. VOA Tibetan Service Chief Losang Gyatso and producer Susan Jackson tell On Assignment's Alex Villarreal what making the film taught them and what they hope others will take away from it. Note: video in this segment might be disturbing to some viewers.

• Watch VOAVideo: Fire in the Land of Snow a Documentary on Self-Immolations in Tibet (Full Version)  An hour-long documentary that explores the causes behind the 118 self-immolations known to have taken place in Tibet since 2009. Combining smuggled videos, first-hand accounts and interviews with experts, scholars, and officials, this film provides an in-depth and comprehensive look at the recent history of Tibet and the powerful forces that lie at the heart of one of the largest waves of political self-immolations in history. (trailer)

Celebrating Independence Day / Mensaje De La Casa Blanca

wh.gov: Celebrating Independence Day

President Obama commemorates our nation's Independence Day, and recognizes the generations of Americans— from farmers to teachers to entrepreneurs—who worked together to make the United States what it is today.

wh.gov: Mensaje De La Casa Blanca

En el mensaje de esta semana, el Coronel Ricardo Morales, Director of Fuerzas Unidas (Joining Forces) celebra el Cuatro de Julio y la importancia de recordar el significado de esta fecha. Joining Forces es una iniciativa de la Primer Dama Michelle Obama y la Dra. Jill Biden, dedicada a apoyar a los miembros de nuestro servicio militar, los veteranos y familias militares con los recursos que ellos se merecen.

US Citizenship Podcast Independence Day Quiz

US Citizenship Podcast Independence Day Quiz

Celebrate Independence Day with uscitizenpod. Here is a quiz based on USCIS 100:08, 09, 61, 62, 63, 64, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100.

Immigration: The New Face of America

VOAVideo: Immigration: The New Face of America (30 minutes!)

Immigration: The New Face of America looks at the current political divide on comprehensive immigration reform, how President Obama won 71 percent of the Hispanic vote to help secure his second term, and how divisive the issue of immigration is in the United States. The program puts a human face on the immigration debate. Individuals at the forefront of this issue give compelling insights into their lives, impacted by the laws currently in place.

US Immigration Reform Faces Uncertain Future

VOAVideo: US Immigration Reform Faces Uncertain Future

Supporters of immigration reform in the United States gained a victory last week when the Senate approved a bipartisan bill. But immigration reform now faces an even tougher test in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where conservatives have little interest in the Senate approach. VOA national correspondent Jim Malone reports from Washington this raises the prospect of a political stalemate.

July 4th Fireworks in Washington Foreshadow Battles to Come

VOAVideo: July 4th Fireworks in Washington Foreshadow Battles to Come

The U.S. Congress is idle this week, and President Barack Obama has a light schedule when he returns from a trip to Africa. But Washington and the nation remain focused on issues that saw major developments last week: immigration reform and same-sex marriage. VOA's Michael Bowman reports.