U.S. Citizenship 34, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School

Census.gov: The U.S. Census and the Amazing Apportionment Machine

N-400

• On Monday May 5, we begin a deep dive into N-400 Part 12
• N-400r Easy Interview Vocabulary http://goo.gl/50NyZu

Civics

• USCIS: The Legislative Branch lesson plans (intermediate)
• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: Congress plus USCIS 100:24 (Senators), 100:25 (Representatives),
• English transcript
• Spanish transcript

Integration:

• Florence Li Tim-Oi's Quick Interview based on the N-400 

Extra Credit:

• Listen and Read Along: American History - Part 019 - Birth of the Constitution - Part 5 - Big State vs Small State video
• VOA Learning English: American History: A Struggle to Balance Power Between Big and Small States article
• VOA Learning English: What Is the Gerrymandering? article and video
• VOA Learning English: US Census Decides How Many Lawmakers to Send to Congress article and video

More Resources

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for Ramadan post
• Muslim American Citizenship Interviews and more! video playlist

U.S. Citizenship 33, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School

VOANews: What Is the US House of Representatives?

N-400

• USCIS: Family - Children (beginning)
• n-400r-11    Children

Civics

• USCIS: The Legislative Branch lesson plans (intermediate)
• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: Congress plus USCIS 100:21 (number of Repesentatives), 100:22 (term), 100:23 (name)
• English transcript
• Spanish transcript

Integration:

• A Citizenship Interview Quiz for Paulette Poujol-Oriol (Port-au-Prince, Haiti) pdf

Extra Credit:

• VOA Learning English: What Is the House of Representatives? article

More Resources

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for Ramadan post
• Muslim American Citizenship Interviews and more! video playlist

U.S. Citizenship 32, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School

VOANews: What Is the US Senate?

N-400

• USCIS: Family - Marital Status and Spouses (beginning)
• n-400r-10    Marital History

Civics

• USCIS: The Legislative Branch lesson plans (beginning)
• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: Congress plus USCIS 100:18 (number of Senators), 100:19 (term), 100:20 (name)
• English transcript
• Spanish transcript

Integration:

• Citizenship Interview Quiz: América Griselda Ayes (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) pdf

Extra Credit:

• VOA Learning English: What Is the US Senate? article

More Resources

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for Ramadan post
• Muslim American Citizenship Interviews and more! video playlist

U.S. Citizenship 31, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School

uscitizenpod: Travel Questions during the USCIS Interview with Dr Patricia Hernandez
uscitizenpod: Preguntas de Viaje durante la Entrevista de USCIS con Dr Patricia Hernandez (more details!)

N-400

• n-400r-9     Travel outside the US plus mp3

Civics

• USCIS: The Legislative Branch lesson plans (beginning)
• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: Congress plus USCIS 100:16 (Congress), 100:17 (Two parts)
• English transcript
• Spanish transcript

Integration:

• Claudia Rios Castro: A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about the Branches of Gov’t Part 1 pdf

Extra Credit:

• uscitizenpod: Citizenship Interview with Francisco Pinedo of Soledad Adult School (mp3)
• uscitizenpod: New Citizen and New Passport (blogpost)
• US State Dept: Passports, Visas and International Travel
• USA.gov: How Laws Are Made and How to Research Them
• USA.gov: Travel and Immigration
• VOAN Learning English: How Laws Are Made in the US

U.S. Citizenship Resources for Ramadan

A Citizenship Quiz for the Month of Ramadan

• podcast: https://goo.gl/d7vzdM
• pdf: https://goo.gl/lUkA0A (corrected)
• video: https://youtu.be/6sGTCGxyohY (with subtitles)

Videos

• NEW: 2020 Muslim American Citizenship Interviews and more! playlist (50+ videos)
• 2019 Citizenship Interview with Nahil Ireiqat (Jerusalem) and Juana Garcia  (Mexico) video
• 2018 Citizenship Interview with Nahil Ireiqat (Jerusalem) and Josefina Rios (Mexico) mp3  video
• 2018 Spring U.S. Citizenship Interview with Pari Akbari, Iran mp3 / video
• Blessed Eid al-Adha! (video)
• Interview with Samia Amed (Yemen) video / mp3
• Milpitas Adult School Open House Citizenship Interview 1 (Teacher Nahil / Palestine) (video)
• Milpitas Adult School Open House Citizenship Interview 2 (Kasim / Bangladesh) (video)
• MST Saleha Khatun’s First Practice Citizenship Interview video
• New US Citizen Minire Karamanaga (Bosnia/Yugoslavia) (2010) video
• New US Citizen Sardar Habibi (Afghanistan) (English) (video)
• New US Citizen Sardar Habibi (Afghanistan) (Farsi) (video)
• Practice! Practice! Practice! (video)
• Tasleem's First Practice Interview (Pakistan) video
• Tasleem's Second Practice Interview (Pakistan) video
• 2015 USCIS 100 Remix Round 1 Twos with Tasleem (Pakistan)  video
• Tasleem Khaldoon talks about her Citizenship Interview (Pakistan) video

Interview Podcasts 

• 2018 Citizenship Interview with Nahil Ireiqat (Jerusalem) and Josefina Rios (Mexico) mp3  video
• 2018 Spring U.S. Citizenship Interview with Pari Akbari, Iran mp3 / video
• 2016 Spring Citizenship Interview with Ali Akbari (Malyasia/Iran) (2016) mp3
• An "Everyday" Citizenship Interview with Munni Thakkar (Mumbai, India) (2016) mp3
• A Basic Citizenship Interview with Pari Akibari (Esfahan, Iran) (2007) (mp3)
• Interview with Samia Amed (Yemen) video / mp3

Quizzes (pdf)

• A Citizenship Quiz for the Month of Ramadan pdf  mp3  video
• Citizenship Interview Quiz for Esam Omeish (Liberia) pdf
• Citizenship Interview Quiz for Hushang Ansary (Iran) pdf
• Citizenship Interview Quiz for Louay Safi pdf
• Citizenship Interview Quiz for Mohamed Awad Elhassan pdf
• Citizenship Interview Quiz for Nimco Ahmed (Libya) pdf
• Citizenship Interview Quiz for Rend al-Rahim (Iraq) pdf
• Citizenship Interview Quiz for Safa Aldabyani (Yemen) pdf

VOA News (There are so many videos and articles--please search for more)

• 2019 Challenges of Observing Ramadan in Non-Muslim Countries (article and videos)
• 2018 Muslim Americans Mark Start of Ramadan (article / video)
• America's Muslims Celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan
• Colorado Muslims Build a Mosque Inside a Community Center to Attract Their Children (2018)
• DC United’s Star Goalie a Muslim Who Balances Faith with Football
• Explainer: What is Ramadan (2019)
• Faith in Freedom: The Journey of Muslim American Candidates (2016)
• Food Packages Help Families in Need During Ramadan (2018)
• Girl Scouts Troop Gets Overwhelming Response to Eid Holiday Project (2018)
• Hijab Wearing TV Reporter Charts New Path for Muslim Americans
• Huge Crowds Fill the Streets for Eid al-Fitr Prayer in Moscow, Russia (2019)
• Islamic Store Making a Difference in Philadelphia
• Latinas Converting to Islam for Identity, Structure (2014)
• Learning Tolerance and Respect at a Ramadan Boarding School (2018)
• Muhammad Ali, a Beacon and Ambassador for Islam
• Muslim and Christian Volunteers Help to Educate South Philadelphia Rohingya Children (2018)
• Muslim Charity Clinic Helps Needy People of All Faiths in California
• Muslim American Congresswoman Ilhan Omar Rebukes Attacks on Her Loyalty to America (2019)
• Muslim-Americans Say Ramadan Experience Differs in US
• Muslims Derive Spiritual Benefit From Ramadan Fasting
• Muslim Americans Run for Charity During Ramadan Fast (2019)
• New Convert to Islam Experiences His First Ramadan (2018)
• Nineteen Hours of Ramadan Sunlight for Muslims in Alaska (2019)
• Non-Muslim Teacher Fasts During Ramadan to Support Muslim Student (2019)
• People of Different Faiths Unite for Muslim Ramadan Meal (2018)
• Ramadan Energy Bar Eases Fast
• Ramadan in the United States
• Ramadan Renews Muslim Focus on Charity
• Ramadan Tradition in Washington: Young Muslim Volunteers Feed Local Homeless (2019)
• Sharia Financing Allows US Muslims to Achieve Home Ownership Dream
• Silicon Valley Non-profit Helps Muslim Entrepreneurs
• Time Lapse of 2019 Hajj Pilgrimage in Mecca (2019)
• Unconventional All-Women’s Mosque Opens in Los Angeles (2015)
• US Muslims Celebrate Ramadan in Different Ways (2018)
• Washington Restaurants Encouraged to Cater to Muslims During Ramadan (2019)
• Woman Converts to Islam After Relatives Are Killed on 9/11 (2011)

Arabic

• USCIS Arabic Resources Page
• USCIS: 100 Civics Questions in Arabic
• USCIS: Civics Questions for the 65/20 Exemption
• USCIS Arabic Language Engagement (video)
• ACLU: What to do if you are an immigrant stopped by law enforcement agents in Arabic
• Ameera Math Is Fun: Yes/No Questions Form N400 (Arabic and English) playlist (added 4/26/2020)
• Ameera Math Is Fun: U.S. Citizenship Test Parts (Arabic and English) playlist (added 4/26/2020)
• CA.gov: Arabic / English Legal Glosaary
• Justice.gov: Know Your Rights in Arabic
• VOA Arabic

Farsi

• CLINIC: 100 Civics Questions in Farsi
• ACLU: Immigrants' Rights: What To Do If Stopped (IN FARSI) (video)
• ACLU: What To Do When Faced With Anti-Muslim Discrimination (in Farsi) (video)
• CA DMV: California Driver Handbook (pdf)
• John Q. Khosravi Law Firm (JQK Law Firm): Naturalization for Iranians (Farsi/Persian) سیتیزنشیپ وتابعیت امریکا برای ایرانیان (video)
• MedicinePlus: Health Information in Farsi (فارسی) (web page)
• SSA: Social Security Resources in Farsi (web page)
• uscitizenpod: Citizenship Resources for Nowruz 2018 (blog post)
• VOA Farsi

Urdu

• USCIS Urdu Resources Page
• ACLU: What to do if you are an immigrant stopped by law enforcement agents
• CLINIC: 100 Questions in Urdu
• CA.gov: Urdu / English Legal Glossary 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
• Penguin House Radio: Citizenship Test Prep in Urdu: Part 1-5 [اردو میں امریکی شہریت کے امتحان کی آسان تیاری: پہلا حصہ]
• VOA  Urdu

For more resources, go to

• Citizenship by Language for Citizenship Resources organized by language.
• Citizenship by Country for Citizenship Resources organized by country of origin.

Check back for more resources!

USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4

uscitizenpod: USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4


USCIS: USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4
https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-offices-preparing-reopen-june-4

On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS is readying offices to reopen on or after June 4. Employees in these offices are continuing to perform mission-essential services that do not require face-to-face contact with the public while the offices are closed.

While offices are temporarily closed, USCIS will continue to provide limited emergency in-person services. Please call the USCIS Contact Center for assistance with emergency services.

USCIS field offices will send notices to applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments and naturalization ceremonies impacted by the extended temporary closure. USCIS asylum offices will send interview cancellation notices and automatically reschedule asylum interviews. When the interview is rescheduled, asylum applicants will receive a new interview notice with the new time, date and location of the interview. When USCIS again resumes operations for in-person services, USCIS will automatically reschedule ASC appointments due to the temporary office closure. Individuals will receive a new appointment letter in the mail. Those who had InfoPass or other appointments must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center once field offices are open to the public again. Please check to see if the respective office has been reopened before calling the Contact Center.

Please also visit https://www.uscis.gov/coronavirus for updates. For the latest information on the status of an office, visit https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-office-closings

Oficinas de USCIS se Preparan para Reabrir el 4 de Junio
https://www.uscis.gov/es/noticias/alertas/oficinas-de-uscis-se-preparan-para-reabrir-el-4-de-junio

El 18 de marzo, el Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos suspendió temporalmente los servicios en persona en sus oficinas locales, oficinas de asilo y centros de asistencia en solicitudes (ASC, por sus siglas en inglés) para ayudar a frenar la propagación del coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS está en el proceso de preparar las oficinas para su reapertura en o después del 4 de junio. El equipo de trabajo de USCIS continúa brindando servicios esenciales para la misión, que no requieren contacto en persona con el público mientras las oficinas permanecen cerradas.

Mientras las oficinas estén cerradas temporalmente, USCIS continuará los servicios en persona en limitadas situaciones de emergencia. Por favor, llame al Centro de Contacto de USCIS para asistencia con los servicios de emergencia.

Las oficinas locales de USCIS enviarán notificaciones a los solicitantes y peticionarios con citas y ceremonias de naturalización programadas afectadas por el cierre temporal extendido. Las oficinas de asilo de USCIS enviarán notificaciones de cancelación y reprogramarán entrevistas de asilo automáticamente. Cuando se reprograme una entrevista, los solicitantes de asilo recibirán una nueva notificación de entrevista con una nueva hora, fecha, y lugar de la entrevista. Cuando USCIS reanude las operaciones para servicios en persona, UCIS reprogramará automáticamente las citas en el ASC debido al cierre temporal de la oficina. Las personas recibirán una nueva Notificación de Cita por correo postal. Las personas que tenían una cita InfoPass u otras citas, deben reprogramar su cita a través del Centro de Contacto de USCIS cuando abran nuevamente las oficinas al público. Por favor verifique si la oficina respectiva ya ha sido abierta antes de llamar al Centro de Contacto de USCIS.

También, por favor visite https://www.uscis.gov/es/coronavirus para actualizaciones. Para la información actualizada sobre el estatus de oficinas, visite https://www.uscis.gov/es/estatus-oficinas

U.S. Citizenship 30, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School

VOA News: Ali Safi: Immigrant's Success Creates Abundant Opportunities for Many Others


N-400

• n-400r-8     Work and School

Civics

• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: GovernmentBasics plus USCIS 100:11 (Capitalism)
• English transcript
• Spanish transcript

Integration:

• Citizenship Interview Quiz for Esam Omeish pdf 

Extra credit:

• NEW: VOANews: Different Countries, Different Scenarios, One Goal: Reopening the Economy (video)
• Crash Course: Market Economy: Crash Course Government and Politics #46 (very fast) video
• Simple Politics: What is Capitalism? (British accent, fast) video
• Vocabulary Help: Learn English Words - Capitalism (Vocabulary Video)
• VOA Learning English: Muslim Refugee Women Get a Taste of Starting a Business (article and audio)
• VOANews: BanglaTown: Beleaguered Detroit Relying on Immigrants to Revitalize City (video)
• VOANews: Customers and Store Owners’ Viewpoints of Ramadan Shopping (video)
• April 23-May 23 Citizenship Resources for Ramadan post

U.S. Citizenship 29, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School

NBS Bay Area: REAL ID Explained: Everything You Need to Know
It's become the source of headaches and delays at DMV offices across California: the new Federal driver's license security requirements known as REAL ID.

N-400

• n-400r-7     Biographic Info

Civics

• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: Government Basics plus USCIS 100:41 (Federal Powers) and USCIS 100:42 (State Powers)
• English transcript
• Spanish transcript

Integration:

• A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about the Branches of Gov’t Part 3 pdf

Extra credit:

• CA DMV: REAL ID – Application Guide (step by step) (video) 
• This step-by-step information video explains the REAL ID program and prepares you to apply for a REAL ID driver license or identification card.  New federal ID requirements to fly within the U.S. and enter secure federal facilities and military bases begin October 1, 2020  October 1, 2021.   https://realid.dmv.ca.gov/
• April 23-May 23 Citizenship Resources for Ramadan post

U.S. Citizenship 28, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School

uscitizenpod: Three quick Citizenship Questions in Honor of Earth Day

N-400

• n-400r-6     Parents

Civics

• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: Government Basics plus USCIS 100:13 (Three Branches) and USCIS 100:14 (Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances)
• English transcript
• Spanish transcript

Integration:

• Citizenship Interview Quiz for Louay Safi pdf

Extra credit:

• TED-Ed: How is power divided in the United States government? - Belinda Stutzman video
• US Courts: Court Shorts: Separation of Powers (video)
• USA.gov: The Three Branches of Government / Ramas del Gobierno
• English: https://www.usa.gov/branches-of-government  
• Español: https://www.usa.gov/espanol/ramas-del-gobierno

EXTRA CREDIT: Earth Day, Arbor Day, and National Parks Weeks Resources

• The Atlantic: Apollo 8 Earthrise photo and video
• American English at State: Celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day
• American English at State: Spotlight: Earth Day
• ELCivics.com: Arbor Day
• ELCivics.com: Earth Day
• ESL Holiday lessons: Earth Day
• ESLlibrary: Earth Lessons, ED (BL), ED (IL), ED (IH),   Earth Day Idioms Poster (more)
• EPA.gov: Earth Day
• LOC.gov: Earth Day
• PBS: Ken Burns' National Parks: America's Best Idea
• UW: US Senator Gaylord Nelson and Earth Day
• uscitizenpod: GO GREEN with USPS Stamps (video)
• uscitizenpod: 10 Citizenship Questions in Honor of Earth Day (pdf)
• VOANews: Earth Day 2019 Looks at Human Effect on Planet
• VOANews: Thai Monks Adopt Earth Day Practices to Eliminate Plastic Waste

Family Fun

• BlueBonkers: Earth Day Coloring Pages
• DLTK: Earth Day Coloring Pages
• Sierra Club: Earth Day (John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club, was a naturalized US Citizen)
• Starfall: Earth Day
• TweetTweetParakeet: John James Audubon (naturalized citizen)  Bird Paintings on Stamps (video)

U.S. Citizenship 27, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School

US Courts: Rule of Law

What does the rule of law mean, and how does it affect our daily lives? Nine federal judges explain how fair and consistent adherence to the law protects our rights and well-being in everyday situations like buying a breakfast sandwich, reading mail, and investing in the stock market. The video begins with a 2009 quote from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor: “I firmly believe in the rule of law as the foundation for all our basic rights.” (read more in the video's notes)

N-400

• USCIS:       Addresses
• n-400r-5     Residence

Civics

• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: Government Basics plus USCIS 100:12 (Rule of Law)
• English transcript
• Spanish transcript

Integration:

• Citizenship Interview Quiz for Mohamed Awad Elhassan pdf

Extra credit:

• VOANews: Coronavirus Restrictions Raise Questions About Civil Rights (read)

U.S. Citizenship 26, COVID-19 Break, Milpitas Adult School

Happy Patriots Day!

America's Parks: Minute Man National Historical Park | Marching with the Patriots

Patriots' Day  is an annual event, formalized as several state holidays, commemorating the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and the Battle of Menotomy, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.

Although Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord cancelled its annual Patriots Day celebration due to the coronavirus pandemic, the park is offering a lineup of virtual events so folks can still celebrate the 245th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

The virtual events, taking place Saturday through Monday, include interviews, video montages, dramatic renditions, and “opportunities to experience the real events of April 19, 1775,” park officials said via a press release.

Here is the schedule of virtual events, which you’ll find on the park’s website and Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Minute Man in front of the Milpitas City Hall

N-400

• n-400r-4     Contact Info

Civics

• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: Government Basics plus USCIS 100:02 (Purpose), 100:01 (Supreme Law), 100:03 (First Three Words)
• English transcript
• Spanish transcript

Integration:

• Citizenship Interview Quiz: Héctor Sánchez (Maracay, Venezuela) pdf

Extra Credit:

• GCFLearnFree.org : How to Create and Manage a Gmail (email) account playlist
• History: Paul Revere and the American Revolution - Fast Facts
• USCIS: Change of Address page
• uscitizenpod: Preamble Puzzle 
• VOA Learning English: What does the Constitution Say?
• PREAMBLE
• We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Happy Pascha! A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Eastern Orthodox Christian Americans

updated 5/01/2021; check back for an updated recording

Happy Pascha! A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Eastern Orthodox Christian Americans  mp3 | pdf

I wrote this quiz for several reasons. First, to honor Central/Eastern European-American Heritage. Second, to showcase the diversity in the American Christian community. Third, to celebrate Easter.

In the past, Western Christians and the Eastern Orthodox have been divided by religion, history, and politics, but as Americans, we are united as one people.

I would also like to introduce, Branka and Tony, from Canada and the former Yugoslavia. Branka is a longtime colleague who currently leads the Sacramento Adult Education Consortium and just finished her term on the COABE board.  Last year she became a U.S. citizen in 2017.

Quiz answers:

1. Colonists came to America for freedom.
2. Freedom of religion is that you can practice any religion or not practice a religion.
3. America bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803.
4. The two parts of the US Congress are the Senate and the House of Representatives
5. Dianne Feinstein is one of the two US senators from the state of California.
6. Joe Biden is the current President of the United States.
7. Kamala Harris is the current Vice-President of the United States.
8. Gavin Newsom is the current Governor of California.
9. The two major political parties are Democratic and Republican parties.
10. The President's Cabinet advises the President.
11. Ro Khanna is the US Representative of San Jose/Milpitas, California.
12. Two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy are join a civic group and join a community group.

Also watch these videos from VOA News about Eastern Orthodox Christians:

• Big American Dream for a Big Ukrainian Family
• Offshoot of Russian Orthodox Church Thrives in Alaska
• Russian Orthodox Americans Support Church Tradition Not Politics
• Slavic Group Works with Oregon Police Department to Foster Understanding in Immigrant Community
• Some in Georgia Attend Easter Mass Despite Coronavirus Curfew (2020)
• Workshop Teaches Ukrainian Art of Dyeing Easter Eggs

EXTRA CREDIT: Listen to a great interview with Vlade Divac!

• StoryCorps: Vivek and Vlade: From New Arrivals To Kings
• Former Sacramento Kings center and current general manager Vlade Divac is interviewed by his boss, majority owner Vivek Ranadive, in this StoryCorps segment. They talk a little basketball but mostly focus on their shared experience as immigrants.