One year ago, President Trump signed an executive order that would become among his most controversial and legally tested decisions to date: a ban restricting travel for foreign nationals from a group of Muslim-majority countries in the name of national security. VOA spoke with members of diaspora communities from countries on the revised list, where lives and livelihoods have been affected. Ramon Taylor reports from New York.
Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/people-from-travel-ban-affected-countries-reflect-one-year-later/4225860.html
President Trump’s immigration framework proposing a pathway to citizenship for almost 2 million undocumented immigrants faces a tough road ahead on Capitol Hill. A week after an impasse over immigration policy briefly shut down the U.S. government - and with only a few working days left before another possible shutdown - congressional leaders of both parties are running out of time to make a deal. VOA’s House correspondent Katherine Gypson has more.
Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/4230828.html
This listening activity has commands that you may hear during the naturalization interview. Download the self-study flash cards to practice on your own.
People can create a variety of practice interviews by pairing an interview with a quiz, then making double-sided copies. You can see examples of these interviews on our YouTube channel.
This week, I am joined by my fellow citizenship teacher, Miguel Flores from Cutler-Orosi Adult School. We finally met in person at the CASAS EL Civics Conference in Ceres. Between workshop sessions we sat down and did a quick practice interview based on the Mix-and-Match Citizenship Interview Series B Practice 2 paired with a multiple choice civics quiz on USCIS 1-12 questions.
After the interview, I talk a bit with Miguel Flores about his citizenship class in Cutler-Orosi,which is in the heart of California. these I will talk a bit more about the CASAS EL Civics project and my sponsor OTAN: Outreach and Technical Assistance Network. You can see my workshop presentations Citizenship class 101: 10 Tips for a New Citizenship Teacher and "Tech Up Your Citizenship Class" on uscitizenpod.com's blog post for Jan 26, 2018
CASAS is a nonprofit organization that provides assessments of basic skills for youth and adults to target instruction.
The English Literacy and Civics (EL Civics) is funded under the The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA). The purpose of the EL Civics program is to support projects that demonstrate effective practices in providing, and increasing access to, English Literacy programs linked to civics education.
Congress has reserved this funding for "integrated English literacy and civics education services to immigrants and other limited English proficient populations." According to Congress, to effectively participate in education, work, and civic opportunities in this country, immigrants and other limited English proficient persons must not only master English, but be able to understand and navigate governmental, educational, workplace systems and key institutions, such as banking and health care.
To that end, CASAS hosts EL Civics Conference, in Northern, Central, and southern California so that teachers can share best practices as related to their EL Civics programs.
OTAN's mission is to lead California adult education in the integration of technology into the educational process, ultimately empowering learners to meet their academic, employment and civic goals.
On a much more personal note: Working in Silicon Valley IT departments for over 20 years well prepared me to work with immigrants with varying degres of English fluency, but did not prepare me to use tech in the adult education classroom. By participating in OTAN training sessions, I learned how adapt technology to empower adult students and their teachers to acquire new language, work, and life skills. Thanks OTAN folk for every thing.
Teachers--if you get the chance, attend OTAN's Technology and Distance Learning Symposium March 9–10, 2018 in Napa, CA. You'll pick up some cool, new tech tips, and meet some even cooler techie teachers.
Edel Pontes USA: US Citizenship Oath Ceremony - January 19, 2018 This video is my appreciation to this country. US Citizenship Oath Ceremony - January 19, 2018 in Oakland Park, Florida. God Bless America. Gratitude is the energy of LOVE. For more information: www.edelpontes.com
The Trump administration on Thursday sent a one-page framework to Republicans in Congress addressing immigration questions that have divided Congress and the American people. Mike O'Sullivan reports that, with critics on both sides, the administration's proposals face an uphill battle.
Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-immigration-proposals-face-uphill-battle/4227518.html
The U.S. government is open again, but the fate of about 800,000 young undocumented immigrants at the center of the three-day shutdown remains uncertain. A number of lawmakers had promised to protect them after President Trump ended DACA in September, an Obama administration policy that allowed them to live and study or work in the country legally. Esha Sarai reports that DACA recipients, who some call "Dreamers," are bitterly disappointed.
Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/4221560.html
VOANews: Immigration Promise Breaks Congressional Deadlock, Reopens Government A partial U.S. government shutdown ended Monday with Senate Democrats providing enough votes to restart federal funding for the next few weeks in return for a promise by the Republican leadership to bring an immigration bill up for a vote by February 8. VOA House correspondent Katherine Gypson looks at how the brief shutdown sets up an even tougher fight ahead on Capitol Hill. Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/4219865.html
Senator Mitch McConnell promised to bring a vote on immigration reform to the floor by Feb. 8. Democrats are selling that pledge as a win. But is it?
If you have an opinion about the budget, immigration, DACA, or any other topic, you can contact your representative by phone or email via Senate.govor House.gov. Frequently, the website will ask about yourZip + 4, which is your zip code plus your route number, which you can find by following the link to USPS.com and entering your street address You can also write or call the President https://www.whitehouse.gov/get-involved/write-or-call/ The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 202-456-1111
The United States Congress has voted to reopen the federal government three days into a partial shutdown. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the temporary funding bill soon.
Late Monday, members of the House of Representatives voted for the bill approved earlier in the day in the Senate.
The bill permits spending for government operations through February 8. (READ MORE)
CAPITOL HILL — "The U.S. Congress has voted to reopen the federal government three days a into a partial shutdown that was triggered in part by a partisan brawl over immigration. President Donald Trump was standing by to sign the stop-gap funding bill.
Late Monday, members of the House of Representatives voteD to approve the the bill approved earlier in the day in the Senate." (READ MORE)
uscitizenpod: USCIS and the Government Shutdown In this episode, we talk about USCIS, the Government shutdown, and how to contact your federal government representatives.
The Government Shutdown does not affect Citizenship services.
The USCIS will continue to process USCIS Form N-400 Applications for Naturalization and interview applicants for U.S. Citizenship.
However, several USCIS programs will either expire or suspend operations, or be otherwise affected, until they receive appropriated funds or are reauthorized by Congress. These include:
1. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program. The EB-5 visa allows eligible Immigrant Investors to become lawful permanent residents by investing at least $1,000,000 to finance a business in the United States that will employ at least 10 American workers
2. E-Verify. This free internet-based system allows businesses to check the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
3. Conrad 30 J-1 doctors. This program allows J-1 doctors to apply for a waiver of the two-year residence requirement after completing the J-1 exchange visitor program.
4. Non-Minister Religious Workers. This special immigrant category allows non-minister religious workers to immigrate or adjust status in the United States.
DACA is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. This is an American immigration policy that allows some individuals who entered the country as minors, to live, work, and go to school in the United States with out fear of deportation.
Last September, the Trump administration tried to end the DACA program. In January 2018, a federal judge said that USCIS must continue to renew DACA applications.
Further note: The government shutdown occurred in part because the Democrats are demanding a congressional vote on an immigration reform package which includes path towards citizenship for DACA recipients. In response, the Republicans are demanding more money for national security which includes a wall along the US-Mexico border.
The Democrats and Republicans are still meeting about the budget which will include funding for CHIP--The Children's Health Insurance Program and disaster relief for areas such as Puerto Rico. Please watch the news for updates.
If you have an opinion about the budget, immigration, DACA, CHIP, disaster relief, or any other topic, you can contact your representative by phone or email via Senate.govor House.gov.
Frequently, the website will ask about yourZip + 4, which is your zip code plus your route number, which you can find by following the link to USPS.com and entering your street address
Leave a simple message such as: "I support DACA" or "I support CHIP."
Or you can exercise your right to peaceable assembly by marching with thousands of women across America this weekend and in the months to come.
A special thanks goes out to USCIS SF Community Relations Officer Lucee Rosemarie Fan. Every single day, Officer Fan and her fellow USCIS officers, help new US citizens achieve their American Dream. Officer Fan--good luck on your retirement!
Order "US Citizenship Bootcamp: Exercises and Quizzes to Pass the Naturalization Interview" by Jennifer Gagliardi, http://eslpublishing.com/ and amazon.com
Lawmakers have until Friday at midnight to pass legislation to avert a government shutdown. Here’s what that means. (Jan. 19, 2018) (Sign up for our free video newsletter here http://bit.ly/2n6VKPR)
"A department spokesman said nearly 90 percent of Homeland Security employees are considered essential and will continue to perform their duties during a government shutdown.
That means most Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration workers will stay on the job, according to the department's shutdown plan, dated Friday.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be staffed at about 78 percent, meaning more than 15,000 of the agency's employees will keep working. " Read more
"Last week, Trump rejected a bipartisan Senate immigration proposal, throwing congressional negotiations into disarray.
Democrats are demanding prompt congressional votes on an immigration reform package that would shield from deportation hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to America as children. Republicans note that young immigrants would not face possible deportation until March, when the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, DACA, expires." (read more)
The current lapse in annual appropriated funding for the U.S. government does not affect USCIS’ fee-funded activities. Our offices will remain open, and all applicants should attend interviews and appointments as scheduled.
However, several USCIS programs will either expire or suspend operations, or be otherwise affected, until they receive appropriated funds or are reauthorized by Congress. These include:
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program. Regional centers are a public or private economic unit in the United States that promote economic growth. USCIS designates regional centers for participation in the Immigrant Investor Program.
E-Verify. This free internet-based system allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Conrad 30 J-1 doctors. This program allows J-1 doctors to apply for a waiver of the two-year residence requirement after completing the J-1 exchange visitor program. The expiration only affects the date by which the J-1 doctor must have entered the United States; it is not a shutdown of the Conrad 30 program entirely.
Non-minister religious workers. This special immigrant category allows non-ministers in religious vocations and occupations to immigrate or adjust status in the United States to perform religious work in a full-time, compensated position.
VOANews: Trump's Reported Slur Complicates Immigration Push in Congress Fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump’s reported slur against impoverished, predominantly black nations further complicates a push for bipartisan immigration legislation that has eluded U.S. lawmakers for more than a decade. VOA’s Michael Bowman reports from Washington, a failure to reach a deal on thorny immigration topics could make a partial U.S. government shutdown more likely by the end of this week, when federal funding expires. Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/4207971.html
14 USCIS Questions in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This quiz matches 14 USCIS civics questions with speeches and events from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who worked for equality for all Americans and for all those who thirst for peace and justice throughout the world mp3 and pdf
uscitizenpod: Three Questions for MLK Day Three Citizenship Questions for MLK Day focused on the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Read/listen to the whole quiz below.
14 USCIS Questions in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This quiz matches 14 USCIS civics questions with speeches and events from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who worked for equality for all Americans and for all those who thirst for peace and justice throughout the world mp3 and pdf
Interview with Krestos Negasi (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) on MLK Day mp3 and pdf
A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r of Juah Sarwee from Fish Town, Liberia plus 10qs about US Geography and Symbols (2017) pdf A Citizenship Interview Quiz for Paulette Poujol-Oriol (Port-au-Prince, Haiti) (2018) pdf Kahoot: Citizenship Questions in Honor of Martin Luther King, Dr Day! Learning Chocolate: Martin Luther King Jr Day MLK Day Specialmp3 uscitizenpod: US Citizenship Resources for African-American History Month During the month of February, we explore the connection between the USCIS History and Civics questions and African American History. We also include Citizenship, Immigration, and Gov't Resources in African Languages!
Americans across the country are pausing Monday to observe federal holiday marking birthday of slain civil rights leader (includes mp3 and photo gallery)
We are introducing a new series today produced by VOA’s English Division called “Did You Know?” We start our tour at the memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Originally published: http://www.voanews.com/a/3669978.html
USCIS:Equality and Freedom - Beginning Level
Equality and Freedom lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 6, 77, 84, 85, and 100.
January Town Hall with US Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17) Jan 14, 2018 2:00 to 3:30 PM · Milpitas High School, Milpitas, CA annotated Tweets posted by @uscitizenpod
Teacher Jennifer says: Here are my annotated tweets from today's town hall meeting with our US Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17). If you have the opportunity, please attend a Congressional Town Hall. AWESOME!
