West Wing Week: 5/30/14 or, "I Love These Kids!"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 5/30/14 or, "I Love These Kids!"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and beyond. This week, the President nominated two new Cabinet Secretaries, honored servicemembers for Memorial Day, hosted the fourth-ever Science Fair and the first-ever Concussion Summit, and traveled to West Point, to graduate 1,000 brand-new Army officers. That's May 23rd to May 29th or, "I Love These Kids!"

Integrating ChromeBooks in an ESL/Citizenship Curriculum

uscitizenpod: Integrating ChromeBooks in an ESL/Citizenship Curriculum

uscitizenpod: ChromeBooks in a Citizenship Classroom

We use our ChromeBooks not only to access USCIS.gov but also to access ESL websites to practice English.

Maya Angelou, Legendary American Author and Poet, Dies at 86

VOAVideo: Maya Angelou, Legendary American Author and Poet, Dies at 86

Legendary American author, poet, playwright and activist Maya Angelou has died at 86. Her family says she "passed quietly" at her North Carolina home on Wednesday, but they did not disclose the cause of death. Angelou rose to fame after writing about her life as an impoverished black girl growing up in the segregated South. VOA's Mary Alice Salinas has more about her life and career.

Translations of the Revised N-400

Translations of the Revised N-400 are available through the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC)

• A Spanish translation is provided by CLINIC
• A Chinese translation is provided by Asian Americans Advancing Justice
• A Vietnamese translation is provided by the Asian Law Alliance

A 21-Question “Salute” for Memorial Day Quiz based on the USCIS 100qs

uscitizenpod: A 21-Question “Salute” for Memorial Day Quiz based on the USCIS 100qs

Memorial Day and the Vietnam War

"Maybe someday everyone has free and rights to do everything they want."--Ngo Huu Phuc

uscitizenpod: Memorial Day: Vietnam Time Line

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.

uscitizenpod (gagliajn): The Vietnam War Memorial, Washington DC

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!

uscitizenpod (gagliajn): Sons of San Jose Vietnam War Memorial

These photos were taken on Memorial Day 2013 at Sons of San Jose Vietnam War Memorial, Guadalupe Park, by Paula Harbor and were uploaded to Facebook. I asked Paula if I could share them. Her comments:

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.

For more info about the wall, see www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_22818391/dedication-...

and www.sjwarmemorial.com/1401.html

Memorial Day Honors Military Service and Sacrifice

VOANews: Memorial Day Honors Military Service and Sacrifice

VOA Learning English: We visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial and other honors to those who served America | This Is America

West Wing Week 05/23/14 or, "Straight A's? Woah!"

wh.gov: West Wing Week 05/23/14 or, "Straight A's? Woah!"

This week, the President spoke on the importance of raising the minimum wage, investing infrastructure, and bringing jobs & tourism back to America, invited the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks, and designated a new National Monument, while the First Lady honored Brown v. Board of Ed, and the Vice President and Dr. Biden traveled to Romania & Cyprus.

Study Says Immigrants Help New York Economy and Quality of Life

VOA Learning English: Study Says Immigrants Help New York Economy and Quality of Life

A new study examined rising immigration rates and neighborhood police reports between 1990 and 2010. Researchers said New York's economy and quality of life improved greatly during that period.

Washington Monument Reopens After Earthquake Repairs

VOANews: Washington Monument Reopens After Earthquake Repairs

The Washington Monument reopened to public Monday after being closed for almost three years to repair damage from a rare earthquake that hit the nation's capital. VOA's Deborah Block reports on the monumental opening.

Inside the White House: Solar Panels

wh.gov: Inside the White House: Solar Panels

Go inside the White House and learn about the installation of solar panels on the roof of the residence. http://www.whitehouse.gov

West Wing Week 05/16/14 or, "Go Solar!"

wh.gov: West Wing Week 05/16/14 or, "Go Solar!"

This week, the President praised the power of solar, honored this year's TOP COPS, awarded the Medal of Honor and traveled to New York for the opening of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

President Obama Speaks on Immigration Reform

VOANews: President Obama Speaks on Immigration Reform

During a law enforcement briefing, the President delivers remarks on fixing our broken immigration system, May 13, 2014. (read the text)

For more info, see White House Issues: Immigration

Also watch the video: White House White Board: Why Immigration Reform Is Good For Our Economy

'Safe Passage' Brings Legal Aid to Children Facing Deportation

VOAVideo: 'Safe Passage' Brings Legal Aid to Children Facing Deportation

Growing numbers of undocumented children are facing deportation proceedings in U.S. immigration courts. Some, from Central America, were apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border. Others, from Europe or Africa, came to the United States as tourists, but have overstayed their visas. A New York law project works to provide attorneys to these youths in immigration court -- where minors facing deportation usually have no advocate.Carolyn Weaver reports.

Citizenship and Integration Grant Program 2014

USCIS: Fiscal Year 2014 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

On April 1, 2014, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting applications for a competitive grant funding opportunity to promote immigrant civic integration and prepare permanent residents for citizenship. USCIS will offer up to $10 million in competitive funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. This funding opportunity is for public or non-profit organizations that prepare permanent residents for citizenship by offering both citizenship instruction and naturalization application services. Applications are due by May 16, 2014.

Contact Information

For additional information and updates on the FY 2014 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, visit www.uscis.gov/grants or contact the USCIS Office of Citizenship by email atcitizenshipgrantprogram@uscis.dhs.gov.

VOA Learning English News Words: Legislation

VOA Learning English News Words: Legislation

Legislation is a law passed by a legislative body like the U.S. Congress.

Our America: Mother's Day

Our America, the back cover of Reader's Digest May 2004 (note the Mother's Day card) 

See more mothers at: Happy Mothers Day to the Mothers of Milpitas, San Jose, and EVERYWHERE!

West Wing Week 05/09/14 or, "Reach Higher"

wh.gov: West Wing Week 05/09/14 or, "Reach Higher"

This week, the First Lady launched her new Reach Higher education initiative, while the President hosted two bilateral meetings and a press conference, let loose some humor at the White House Correspondents Dinner, and traveled to Arkansas and California.

Step Forward

Step Forward --Level 2 --Unit 10 Citizenship
Also check out:
Step Forward Level 3--Unit 12 Doing the Right Thing
Step Forward Level 4--Unit 10 Get Involved!

VOA Learning English News Words: Senate

VOA Learning English News Words: Senate

The Senate has 100 senators representing 50 states in the U.S.

Cambridge Ventures Arcade

Practice for your US Citizenship Interview with online grammar and vocabulary exercises and games from Cambridge Ventures Arcade: Literacy to High Intermediate plus US Citizenship (based on the old questions, but still excellent questions). Great N-400 vocabulary and 100 Civics/History questions practice!  For ESL, focus on the PERSONAL INFORMATION section for each level.

VOA Learning English News Words: Presidential

VOA Learning English News Words: Presidential

Citizenship Test Based on the Revised N-400: Antonio Vazquez Gonzalez (Guadalajara, Mexico)

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Prepare for your citizenship interview with multiple choice test based on the Revised N-400 plus 10 USCIS questions. This quiz was inspired by my student, Antonio Vazquez Gonzalez (Guadalajara, Mexico), who served two years in the Mexican Army before he immigrated to the United States.  

Download the PDF: Citizenship Test Based on the Revised N-400: Antonio Vazquez Gonzalez (Guadalajara, Mexico)