West Wing Week 1/31/14 or, "West Wing Week Turns 200!"

wh.gov: West Wing Week 1/31/14 or, "West Wing Week Turns 200!"

This anniversary episode, hosted by the President, coincides with this year's State of the Union Address. We'll take you behind the scenes and on the road to speak directly with Americans like you about your lives and your families, and how together we can make sure that every American who works and studies hard has a real chance to get ahead.

Happy Lunar New Year

Happy Lunar New Year from USPS, uscitizenpod, and the students and staff of Milpitas Adult School!

New Citizenship Quiz in Honor of the Lunar New Year 

from uscitizenpod

USPS Celebrates the Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse Forever Stamp

Around the world, a new year is welcomed with noise! Chinese drums, with drumsticks painted red for luck, highlight the U.S. Postal Service’s 2014 Year of the Horse stamp, seventh in the Celebrating Lunar New Year series. The Year of the Horse begins on January 31, 2014, and ends on February 18, 2015. (read more)

Obama Takes His Message to Working Americans

VOAVideo: Obama Takes His Message to Working Americans

U.S. President Barack Obama continues his domestic travel Thursday to drum up support for his plan to extend economic opportunity to more Americans and strengthen the country's middle class. The president is addressing working people in Wisconsin and Tennessee, a day after delivering his message to those in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Zlatica Hoke reports

VOA Presents the 2014 State of the Union

VOAVideo: VOA Presents the 2014 State of the Union

Meredith Buel hosts the Voice of America's coverage of President Obama's fifth State of the Union address. The show includes the president's entire speech and the Republican response, as well as comment and analysis from VOA correspondents.

President Obama Answers a "Big Block of Cheese Day" Question

USCIS 100: 55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

On February 22, 1837, President Jackson hosted an open house featuring a 1,400-pound block of cheese that sat in the main foyer of the White House. This original "Big Block of Cheese Day" opened the doors of the White House to thousands of citizens to interact with cabinet members and White House staff – and carve off a slice of the four foot by two foot thick slab of cheddar.

wh.gov: President Obama Answers a "Big Block of Cheese Day" Question

Backstage in Pittsburgh, President Obama participates in the first-ever virtual "Big Block of Cheese Day," a day long Q&A with White House officials on social media. From U.S. Steel's Irvin Plant, the President answered a question from Twitter. @RSpring72 asked, "Is there some way to press Congress to act on raising the minimum wage beyond the Exec Order?"

(more from wh.gov)

USCIS 100: 55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

▪ vote
▪ join a political party
▪ help with a campaign
▪ join a civic group
▪ join a community group
▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue
▪ call Senators and Representatives
▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
▪ run for office
▪ write to a newspaper

The 2014 State of the Union Address

uscitizenpod: The 2014 State of the Union Address

President Obama delivers the 2014 State of the Union address to Congress and the nation. (more from wh.gov)

Citizenship Prep: Resources and Strategies for the USCIS Citizenship Interview

Citizenship Prep: Resources and Strategies for the USCIS Citizenship Interview
3rd Annual English Literacy and Civics Education Conference
January 24, 2014
Mt. San Antonio College


Jennifer Gagliardi
Milpitas Adult School
jgagliar@musd.org

Be a Part of The State of The Union

USCIS 100:15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?

wh.gov: Be a Part of The State of The Union

White House Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough, previews all the ways you can get involved with the 2014 State of the Union.http://whitehouse.gov/sotu

USCIS 100:15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?

▪ the President

Americans Give Back on MLK National Day of Service

“The message Dr. King carried was of service to others," he said. "He asked each of us: 'What are you doing for each other, what are you doing for others, what are you doing for your community?' And he lived that life, and he stands as a symbol for all of us.”-- John Jarvis

VOANews: Americans Give Back on MLK National Day of Service

Americans across the country paused Monday to observe the annual federal holiday marking the birthday of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. While the holiday usually means the day off from work or school, many honored Dr. King by participating in the National Day of Service. (read more)

What are you doing for others?

USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

wh.gov: "What are you doing for others?"

The First Family commemorates the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr Day of Service by helping prepare meals at D.C. Central Kitchen alongside Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

▪ vote
▪ join a political party
▪ help with a campaign
▪ join a civic group
▪ join a community group
▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue
▪ call Senators and Representatives
▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
▪ run for office
▪ write to a newspaper

VOA The King Legacy Marching Forward

USCIS 100:84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

\On Washington August 28, 1963, VOA posted a series of videos remembering the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. The march is widely credited with helping to pass the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965).

VOANews: US Honors Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

This month, the United States is honoring the legacy of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Fifty years ago ((August 28, 1963)) Reverend King led the famous March on Washington and gave the "I Have a Dream" speech, a masterpiece that galvanized the nation to support equal rights for African Americans. VOA correspondent Meredith Buel has this profile of King and his fight for desegregation and against racism.

Watch the entire VOA The King Legacy Marching Forward series:

• US Honors Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Contributions of Civil Rights Workers Recognized
• Young People Look at the Legacy of Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr
• Southern Communities Rebound From Racial Barriers
• African American Remember Discrimination of the Past
• King's Role in Obama's Rise to Power

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial

USCIS 100:85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

uscitizenpod: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial

USCIS 100:85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

▪ fought for civil rights
▪ worked for equality for all Americans

Here are some photos of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial and Cherry Blossoms from my trip to Washington DC april, 2014

CITIZENSHIP TEST: Krestos Negasi (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

Prepare for your citizenship interview and Martin Luther King Day with a multiple choice test about Krestos Negasi's interview and 10 USCIS questions. (download pdf)

This test was inspired by the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. AND…

 “Holding the Bag” (a high beginning ESL novel) by Ana Gianola, 978-1-56420-544-5

Negasi is a Washington DC taxi driver from Ethiopia who has been in the U.S. for many years and has a family. He accidentally becomes involved in a robbery and faces a moral issue.

Thanks to NewReadersPress.com for their outstanding ESL/Citizenship resources. My students & I love you!

West Wing Week 1/17/14 or "Give Peace a Chance"

wh.gov: West Wing Week 1/17/14 or "Give Peace a Chance"

This week, the President sat down for lunch with young organizers who are working to help implement the Affordable Care Act, hosted the President of Spain and the Miami Heat, traveled to the home of the Wolfpack to announce a new, public-private effort to support investment in our manufacturing sector, announced his nominee to run the Small Business Administration, and spoke on expanding college opportunity, alongside the First Lady.

USCIS Remix 02 on Dvolver by uscitizenpod

 

USCIS Remix 02 on Dvolver by uscitizenpod

California Ruling on Undocumented Lawyer Gives Hope to Undocumented Residents

VOAVideo California Ruling on Undocumented Lawyer Gives Hope to Undocumented Residents

The California Supreme Court cleared the way last week for an undocumented immigrant named Sergio Gargia to be licensed as a lawyer. As VOA's Mike O'Sullivan reports, the ruling comes amid a national debate over illegal immigration -- and gives hope to other undocumented residents who entered the country as children

USCIS Remix 01 on Dvolver by uscitizenpod

USCIS Remix 01 on Dvolver by uscitizenpod

Simple Citizenship Interview on Dvolver

Simple Citizenship Interview on Devolver by uscitizenpod

The New Americans Campaign

I was paying my bills today, and noticed that my bank, TechCU, was sponsoring seminars about the Green Card process. Wow! I followed up and found other organizations that are trying to help communities educate others about the immigration and citizenship process plus assist with financing.

The New Americans Campaign: Video

The New Americans Campaign is a groundbreaking national network of legal-service providers, faith-based organizations, businesses, foundations and community leaders that is paving a better road to citizenship. We are modernizing and streamlining access to naturalization services, so that greater numbers of legally qualified permanent residents take the critical step to becoming American citizens.

Citizenship Works provides easy-to-use online tools to help low and moderate-income individuals to answer important questions about their eligibility for naturalization, to better understand the naturalization process, and to prepare for the naturalization tests.

The Immigration Advocates Network (IAN) is a collaborative effort of leading immigrants' rights organizations designed to increase access to justice for low-income immigrants and strengthen the capacity of organizations serving them. IAN promotes more effective and efficient communication, collaboration, and services among immigration advocates and organizations by providing free, easily accessible and comprehensive online resources and tools.

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national non-profit resource center that provides legal trainings, educational materials, and advocacy to advance immigrant rights.

Pro Bono Net is a unique organization in its use of information technology and collaboration among the various parts of the public interest legal community. Read more about our mission and our programs.

National Immigration ?forum: The Bethlehem Project works with businesses to assist their eligible immigrant employees with the citizenship process so they become full participants in the workplace, community, and economy.

Encouraging Citizenship: A Win-Win for Businesses, Their Employees and Our Economy, September 17 2013 By Ali Noorani

EAST LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — East LA Bank Offers Unique Loan To Help Residents Become Naturalized Citizens

West Wing Week 1/10/14 or, "A Year of Action"

wh.gov: West Wing Week 1/10/14 or, "A Year of Action"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week, the President repeatedly called for Congress to extend Emergency Unemployment Insurance for more than a million Americans, and announced the first five of what will be 20 Promise Zones to help change the odds for kids, as the War on Poverty turned 50. And as a polar vortex descended on much of the country, the President's Science Advisor explained why. That's January 3rd to January 9th "A Year of Action."

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--09 Geography and Holidays USCIS 100:88-100

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--09 Geography and Holidays USCIS 100:88-100

Prepare to become a US Citizen with a new audio recording of the USCIS 100 question plus dictation. You will hear USCIS 100:88-100 questions and all of the possible answers; then you will hear the questions only; then you will the questions again with the most popular answers plus 2 dictation sentences.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2014-88-100.mp3

Look for the USCIS 100 REMIX SERIES to begin on Tuesday, Jan 21, 2014--just in time for the Lunar New Year.

Please email any further suggestions to uscitzenpod@gmail.com

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--08 Recent American History USCIS 100:78-87

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--08 Recent American History USCIS 100:78-87

Prepare to become a US Citizen with a new audio recording of the USCIS 100 question plus dictation. You will hear USCIS 100:78-87 questions and all of the possible answers; then you will hear the questions only; then you will the questions again with the most popular answers plus 2 dictation sentences. Look for the next podcast in the series tomorrow.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2014-78-87.mp3

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--07 The 1800s USCIS 100:71-77

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--07 The 1800s USCIS 100:71-77

Prepare to become a US Citizen with a new audio recording of the USCIS 100 question plus dictation. You will hear USCIS 100:71-77 questions and all of the possible answers; then you will hear the questions only; then you will the questions again with the most popular answers plus 2 dictation sentences. Look for the next podcast in the series tomorrow.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2014-71-77.mp3

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--06 Colonial Period and Independence USCIS 100:58-70

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--06 Colonial Period and Independence USCIS 100:58-70

Prepare to become a US Citizen with a new audio recording of the USCIS 100 question plus dictation. You will hear USCIS 100:58-70 questions and all of the possible answers; then you will hear the questions only; then you will the questions again with the most popular answers plus 2 dictation sentences. Look for the next podcast in the series tomorrow.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2014-58-70.mp3

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--05 Rights and Responsibilities USCIS 100:48-57

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--05 Rights and Responsibilities USCIS 100:48-57

Prepare to become a US Citizen with a new audio recording of the USCIS 100 question plus dictation. You will hear USCIS 100:48-57 questions and all of the possible answers; then you will hear the questions only; then you will the questions again with the most popular answers plus 2 dictation sentences. Look for the next podcast in the series tomorrow.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2014-48-57.mp3

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--04 System of Government Part 3 of 3 USCIS 100:37-47

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--04 System of Government Part 3 of 3 USCIS 100:37-47

Prepare to become a US Citizen with a new audio recording of the USCIS 100 question plus dictation. You will hear USCIS 100:37-47 questions and all of the possible answers; then you will hear the questions only; then you will the questions again with the most popular answers plus 2 dictation sentences. Look for the next podcast in the series tomorrow.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2014-37-47.mp3

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--03 System of Government Part 2 of 3 USCIS 100:26-36

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--03 System of Government Part 2 of 3 USCIS 100:26-36

Prepare to become a US Citizen with a new audio recording of the USCIS 100 question plus dictation. You will hear USCIS 100:26-36 questions and all of the possible answers; then you will hear the questions only; then you will the questions again with the most popular answers plus 2 dictation sentences. Look for the next podcast in the series tomorrow.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2014-26-36.mp3

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--02 System of Government Part 1 of 3 USCIS 100:13-25

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--02 System of Government Part 1 of 3 USCIS 100:13-25

Prepare to become a US Citizen with a new audio recording of the USCIS 100 question plus dictation. You will hear USCIS 100:13-25 questions and all of the possible answers; then you will hear the questions only; then you will the questions again with the most popular answers plus 2 dictation sentences. Look for the next podcast in the series tomorrow. 

If you need to link to your files directly please use the following URLs.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2014-13-25.mp3

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--01 Principles of American Democracy USCIS 100:01-12

New Year, New Citizen, New Podcast Series: Citizenship 2014--01 Principles of American Democracy USCIS 100:01-12

Prepare to become a US Citizen with a new audio recording of the USCIS 100 question plus dictation. You will hear USC!S 100:01-12 questions and all of the possible answers; then you will hear the questions only; then you will the questions again with the most popular answers plus 2 dictation sentences. Look for the next podcast in the series tomorrow.

If you need to link to your files directly please use the following URLs.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2014-01-12.mp3