USCIS: Join Our New Year's Video Project!

USCIS: Join Our New Year's Video Project!

Calling all naturalized citizens! Help us wish the world a happy new year. It’s simple: record a short video clip of yourself saying "Happy new year from an American from X, " replacing X with your native country. For example, if your native country is Canada, say "Happy new year from an American from Canada."

Post that video to YouTube by December 29 and leave a comment below with the URL for your video.

We’ll post a video on December 31 with as many responses as possible.

Have fun, smile in your video, and share your good cheer!

Kahoot Branches of Government Part 3

Kahoot.it: Prepare for your Citizenship Interview with a new #Kahoot on @GetKahoot called 'Branches of Government Part 3'. Play it now! http://goo.gl/9c45EH

Executive Actions on Immigration

USCIS: Executive Actions on Immigration

On November 20, 2014, the President announced a series of executive actions to crack down on illegal immigration at the border, prioritize deporting felons not families, and require certain undocumented immigrants to pass a criminal background check and pay taxes in order to temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation. (read more)

West Wing Week: 12/26/14 or, "The Jazzy, Snazzy Holiday Special"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 12/26/14 or, "The Jazzy, Snazzy Holiday Special"

Welcome to this special, Holiday Season edition of West Wing Week. While we certainly hope you all are taking some time off to reflect on the meaning of the holidays, and spend time with your loved ones, we also want to offer up some of our favorite White House holiday moments from this festive time of year.

Also watch these videos from wh.gov:

• Giving Thanks for Our Troops
• President Obama Speaks at the “Christmas in Washington” Celebration
• First Lady Michelle Obama Reads "Twas the Night Before Christmas"
• Raw Video: The Four Tops & The Temptations Surprise White House Tours

Have a very, merry VOA Christmas!

VOA Learning English: VOA Staff Presents 'A Visit From St. Nicholas'

​The American idea of Santa Claus largely comes from a poem called "A Visit from St. Nicholas". Clement Clarke Moore wrote the poem in 1822, but he did not put his name on it. Some call it the most famous poem ever written by an American. The poem is often called "'Twas the Night Before Christmas. (read) Great scenes of Washington DC and the VOA staff! We love you, VOA!

VOA Learning English: The History of Christmas in America

In the first half of the 19th century, Christmas was a very different kind of holiday than it is today. People did not have a set way of celebrating. Christmas was not even an official holiday yet.
(read) (listen)

Hanukkah at the White House

wh.gov: Hanukkah at the White House

Learn about the National Menorah at the White House. Footage courtesy of the Official YouTube Channel of the State of Israel.

Also see:

• President Obama Speaks at a Hanukkah Reception
• Vice President Biden Speaks at the National Menorah Lighting

Kahoot Branches of Government Part 2

Kahoot.it: "Branches of Government Part 2"
Prepare for your US Citizenship Interview with Kahoot "Branches of Government Part 2" USCIS 100:26-36, 46 http://goo.gl/KcALVV

Toys for Tots

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

VOAVideo: TOTs

The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children

The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

For more info, go to www.toysfortots.org

Also watch, VOAVideo: US Federal Employees Donate to Their Favorite Charities Through CFC

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

West Wing Week: 12/19/14 or, "Todos Somos Americanos"

uscitizenpod: West Wing Week: 12/19/14 or, "Todos Somos Americanos"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week, the President traveled to Fort Dix to thank our troops, took action to protect Alaska's Bristol Bay, and announced historic changes to America's relationship with Cuba. That's December 12th to December 18th or, "Todos Somos Americanos."

Kahoot Branches of Government Part 1

Kahoot.it: Prepare for the US #Citizenship test with Kahoot Branches of Government Part 1: USCIS 100:13-25,45, 47 http://goo.gl/5IIIhb

US Citizenship Podcast USCIS 100:01-100 mp3

US Citizenship Podcast USCIS 100:01-100 mp3 goo.gl/XmQ9nP

USCIS 100:01-100 organized by section: 
(1) questions plus all the answers; 
(2) questions only; 
(3) questions and the most popular answer read by the students and staff by Milpitas Adult School. 65 minutes. (mp3)

Also available as individual podcasts/mp3s

01 Principles of American Democracy USCIS 100:01-12

02 System of Government Part 1 of 3 USCIS 100:13-25

03 System of Government Part 2 of 3 USCIS 100:26-36

04 System of Government Part 3 of 3 USCIS 100:37-47

05 Rights and Responsibilities USCIS 100:48-57

06 Colonial Period and Independence USCIS 100:58-70

07 The 1800s USCIS 100:71-77

08 Recent American History USCIS 100:78-87

09 Geography and Holidays USCIS 100:88-100

You can also subscribe to US Citizenship Podcast via iTunes http://goo.gl/PqvuxZ

U.S. Citizenship 20: The Judicial Branch Part 2

LearningChocolate.com: U.S. Citizenship 20: The Judicial Branch Part 2 
goo.gl/HGWgHU

U.S. Citizenship 19: The Judicial Branch Part 1

LearningChocolate: U.S. Citizenship 19: The Judicial Branch Part 1 
goo.gl/NNEJWW

U.S. Citizenship 18: The Executive Branch

LearningChocolate.com: U.S. Citizenship 18: The Executive Branch
http://goo.gl/SQMB65

U.S. Citizenship 17: The Legislative Branch

LearningChocolate.com: U.S. Citizenship 17: The Legislative Branch 
http://goo.gl/kHRi97

West Wing Week: 12/12/14 or, "Zeros & Ones"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 12/12/14 or, "Zeros and Ones"

This week, the President nominated a Secretary of Defense, coded with a group of budding computer scientists, took over as host of The Colbert Report, pushed for comprehensive immigration reform, hosted a summit on high quality early education, and welcomed this year's Kennedy Center Honorees to the White House. That's December 5th to December 11th or, "Zeros & Ones."

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Virgen de Tepeyac,


Patroness of the Americas,


Mother Without Borders,


PRAY FOR US!

San Francisco Field Office Dec 11, 2014

Due to a strong storm system expected to hit the Bay Area on Thursday, December 11^th , the San Francisco Field Office will have aliberal reschedule policy for customers unable to attend a scheduled interview on December 11, 2014

.  

Customers who cannot attend their interview due to weather should call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800- 375-5283 to request a rescheduled appointment.

U.S. Citizenship 16: Branches of Goverment

LearningChocolate: U.S. Citizenship 16: Branches of Goverment http://goo.gl/axt8Dr

151st Anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address/ Naturalization Ceremony

USCIS: 151st Anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address/ Naturalization Ceremony

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, USCIS naturalized 16 new citizens during a special ceremony commemorating the 151st anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Author Kent Masterson Brown will deliver the keynote address during the ceremony at Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg,

National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception located in Washington, D.C., honors Mary, the mother of Jesus, as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Patroness of the United States and celebrates the diversity of the American Catholicism. (take a virtual tour)

As a Roman Catholic, I am proud to share my religious and cultural heritage that informs my work as an ESL/Citizenship teacher. 

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

Remembering Pearl Harbor

USCIS 100:81. Who did the United States fight in World War II?

VOANews: US Remembers Pearl Harbor, 70 Years Later

Hundreds estimated to be gathered at Pearl Harbor, where new visitor's center is to open at scene of attack (plus streaming audio)

VOANews: Pearl Harbor Fact Box

USCIS 100:81. Who did the United States fight in World War II?

• Japan, Germany, and Italy

West Wing Week: 12/05/14 or, "Multiparameter Flow Cytometer"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 12/05/14 or, "Multiparameter Flow Cytometer"

On December 4, 2014, President Obama joined Americans in celebrating the holidays at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

also watch: President Obama Delivers Remarks at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

For Native Americans, a Presidential Visit Sparks Hope

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

VOAVideo: For Native Americans, a Presidential Visit Sparks Hope

Earlier this year, Barack Obama became only the fourth sitting U.S. president to visit a Native American reservation -- when he traveled to Standing Rock which stretches across more than 800,000 hectares (two million acres) of North and South Dakota. As the White House prepares to host an annual tribal nation conference on Dec. 3, VOA correspondent Aru Pande traveled to Standing Rock and talked to residents about their hopes for the future. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/native-americans-obama-visit-hope/2541704.html

Also watch: Obama Unveils Initiative to Lift Up Native American Youth

President Barack Obama has unveiled a new initiative aimed at helping Native American youth overcome poverty, substance abuse or other challenges. The announcement at the sixth annual White House Tribal Nations Conference followed a rare visit by the president to Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota. VOA correspondent Aru Pande reports.

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

What is a "Lame Duck"?

ESLPod.com Blog:These Ducks Can’t Walk

“This week, the lame ducks are returning to Congress for their last bit of legislating (making laws). But no one seems too excited to see them.” That was the lede (or lead; the first sentence or paragraph) for a news story in the Washington Post last week.

Other newspapers and websites echoed (repeated) those feelings in their headlines (the title of a news story):

• Lamest Lame Duck (Politico)
• How Lame Will The Lame Ducks Be? (The Atlantic)
• Don’t Let Lame Ducks Spend Your Money (American Spectator)

We all probably know what a duck is. But, a lame duck? (read more)

Obama’s Immigration Action Comes Under Attack in Congress

VOANews: Obama’s Immigration Action Comes Under Attack in Congress

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson defended President Barack Obama’s recent executive order on immigration Tuesday before the House Homeland Security Committee. As VOA’s Cindy Saine reports from Capitol Hill, Republican Party anger over what they see as an "executive power grab" might affect a government funding bill that has to be passed by December 11.
Originally published at -http://www.voanews.com/media/video/obama-executive-action-immigration-congress/2543623.html

US Politicians Busy Planning for 2016 Elections

VOA Learning English: US Politicians Busy Planning for 2016 Elections

The Republican Party is preparing to control both houses of the United States Congress in January. Republican candidates won big victories in the recent U.S. congressional elections. The Democratic Party lost its majority in the Senate. The Democrats must now adjust to being the minority party in both houses. (read more)