U.S. Citizenship Resources for Memorial Day

Updated 05-28-2023; Check back for updates

Memorial Day Resources from uscitizenpod

• Interview Based on the USCIS N-400r for Current and Former Armed Forces Members (8 pgs) 
• Script
• N-400 Section videos
• n-400r-12c   Acts of Violence
• n-400r-12d   Group Violence
• n-400r-12e   Work in a Prison
• n-400r-12f   Gangs, Weapons, Child Soldiers
• n-400r-12j   Military Service
• n-400r-12k  Attachment to the US Constitution

• A 21-Question “Salute” for Memorial Day Quiz based on the USCIS 100qs
  • podcast  
  • pdf  
  • blog post with links to the memorials

• Memorial Day Twitter Moment Twenty-One @USCIS #Citizenship questions paired with U.S. memorials.

• Memorial Day: Vietnam Time Line (video)
  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.
  
• The Vietnam War Memorial, Washington DC (photos)
  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.

More Memorial Day Resources

• American English at State: Memorial Day (pdf)
• EL Civics: Memorial Day
• ESOL Courses: Memorial Day
• Jennifer ESL: #6 English Mini Lesson - Memorial Day (video)
• Learn English with EnglishClass101.com : Learn American Holidays - Memorial Day Learn All The Words In This Video! Get the FREE Word List 
• Randall's ESL Lab: Memorial Day (video snapshot)
• Thing Link: Memorial Day by Susan Gaer
• VOA News: 
• Former POW: 'Forget, Forgive and Love Our Enemies' (2017 video)
• On Memorial Day, Military Monuments Have Special Meaning (2017 video)
• US Military's Fallen Honored With Flags (2016 video)
• US Soldiers Place Flags at Arlington National Cemetery Ahead of Memorial Day (2021)
• VOA Learning English: (read and listen) 
• Arlington National Cemetery 
• Women Pilots Allowed Back Into Arlington for Burial 
• A Visit with History: Gettysburg National Military Park

Check back later for more resources

An American Pentecost

American Pentecost: A Citizenship Quiz about Languages in America
Podcast | Video | PDF

An American Pentecost:

We are American Indians, Native Alaskans, Europeans, Latinos, Africans, Arabs, Asians, Pacific Islanders-- yet all of us hear America speaking in our own languages about FREEDOM!

For more info about languages spoken in America:

• Slate: Tagalog in California, Cherokee in Arkansas: What language does your state speak? By Ben Blatt (great graphics)
• http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2014/05/language_map_what_s_the_most_popular_language_in_your_state.html

• Wikipedia: Languages of the United States
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_United_States

Voting Rights Act Sect 203

Section 203 targets those language minorities that have suffered a history of exclusion from the political process: Spanish, Asian, Native American, and Alaskan Native. The Census Bureau identifies specific language groups for specific jurisdictions.

Section 203 says that jurisdictions (cities, counties, states) shall provide election materials in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English language.

Sources:

• DOJ: MINORITY LANGUAGE CITIZENS: Section 203 of the voting Rights Act
• https://www.justice.gov/crt/language-minority-citizens 
• US Census: Voting Rights Determination File
• https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/about/voting-rights/voting-rights-determination-file.html  
• GPO: Federal Registrar: Voting Rights Act Amendments of 2006, Determinations Under Section 203
• https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/12/08/2021-26547/voting-rights-act-amendments-of-2006-determinations-under-section-203#:~:text=Section%20203%20mandates%20that%20a,process%2C%E2%80%9D%20and%20if%20the%20rate 

Celebrating Asian and Pacific American Communities

 VOA News: Celebrating Asian and Pacific American Communities 

In the United States, May is a month to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage. Genia Dulot takes us to a celebration in California.

Learn more: 

U.S. Citizenship Resources for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

What’s Next for Migrants Seeking Asylum After Title 42

NY Times: What’s Next for Migrants Seeking Asylum After Title 42 

Antonio and his family have been living in a Tijuana shelter for months after fleeing violence in the Mexican state of Michoacan in 2020. After months of trying, they secured an appointment to seek asylum in the United States and will be some of the first to be processed after the lifting of Title 42, a pandemic-era policy.

Why Chinese Migrants Are Making Risky Journey From South America to US

VOA News: Why Chinese Migrants Are Making Risky Journey From South America to US 

 

VOA Mandarin's Hai Lun, Mo Yu and Ning Lu and VOA Spanish's Victor Hugo Castillo traveled to Mexican and Texas border cities to talk to Chinese migrants who had come from South America. VOA's Elizabeth Lee tells the story. Cameras: Hai Lun, Ning Lu, Victor Hugo Castillo, Oscar Cavadia.

Migrant Surge Overwhelms Chicago

VOA News: Migrant Surge Overwhelms Chicago 

 

The midwestern city of Chicago is struggling to accommodate a wave of migrants, many from Central and South America, transported to the city after entering the U.S. at America’s southern border. VOA's Kane Farabaugh reports on how the city and aid agencies are mobilizing to tend to asylum-seekers’ critical needs

Diversity of Nationalities, Professions Among Migrants at US Mexico Border

VOA News: Diversity of Nationalities, Professions Among Migrants at US Mexico Border 

The nationalities of the migrants seeking to enter the United States at the U.S.-Mexico border have shifted over the past few months. From the Rio Grande Valley area in Texas, VOA's immigration correspondent Aline Barros reports.

Title 42 Ends, Posing New Challenges to Migrants, Authorities

VOA News: Title 42 Ends, Posing New Challenges to Migrants, Authorities 

 Since the COVID-era immigration policy known as Title 42 ended last week, the U.S. says it has sent thousands of people who have crossed into the U.S. irregularly back to Mexico or back home. But many immigrants who want to follow the rules say it is very difficult to apply for asylum. VOA's Celia Mendoza reports. #mexico #usa #immigration #voanews

The Inside Story | Immigration Dilemma

VOA News: The Inside Story | Immigration DilemmaThe Inside Story | Immigration Dilemma 

We're diving into the U.S. immigration dilemma and exploring the growing surge of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Find out what Washington is doing to address this long-troubled immigration policy and how it's impacting the safety and management of people in this humanitarian crisis.

Title 42 Ends, Posing New Challenges to Migrants, Authorities

VOA News: Title 42 Ends, Posing New Challenges to Migrants, Authorities 

Since the COVID-era immigration policy known as Title 42 ended last week, the U.S. says it has sent thousands of people who have crossed into the U.S. irregularly back to Mexico or back home. But many immigrants who want to follow the rules say it is very difficult to apply for asylum. VOA's Celia Mendoza reports.

U.S. Citizenship Act Press Conference

House Democrat: U.S. Citizenship Act Press Conference 

US Rep Linda Sanchez: US Citizenship Act

White House Defends Border Policy Amid Criticism From Opponents, Advocates |

VOA News: White House Defends Border Policy Amid Criticism From Opponents, Advocates

The United States is bracing for a surge of migrants attempting to cross its southern border following Thursday’s expiration of Title 42, a pandemic-related policy that allowed the U.S. to expel migrants more than 2.8 million times, according to oversight groups. The White House, which is being blamed for chaotic scenes at the border, is defending itself against criticism and saying Congress needs to act. VOA’s Anita Powell reports from Washington. 

See more:

VOA News: Chinese Migrant Woman Swims Across Rio Grande to Texas 

On May 10, the day before Title 42 ends, VOA China Branch team witnessed a large group of migrants in Mexican border city Matamoros. One Chinese female migrant was among them. She pulled out her waterproof bag from a blue suitcase and jumped into Rio Grande and started swimming across the river. She briefly answered our reporter's question and said that she had left China a month ago but refused to give further information. With a local person's help, the Chinese woman arrived on the U.S. side safely. Drone footage showed her walking on the U.S. side of the shore.

See more stories about US Immigration from VOA News.

Dinh Le’s Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview

uscitizenpod: Dinh Le’s Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview

The U.S. Immigration System

US CBP: The U.S. Immigration System 

When the Title 42 public health Order lifts on May 11, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will revert to fully utilizing Title 8 immigration enforcement processes. 

Under Title 8, those who unlawfully cross the border are subject to criminal consequences, including possible deportation, prosecution, and a five-year bar on reentry. 

Our message remains clear to those seeking to come to the United States: Do not believe smugglers. Do not put your life at risk by taking the dangerous journey only to be sent back. Use lawful pathways to come to the United States. The United States will continue to remove noncitizens who arrive without authorization.

See more stories about US Immigration from VOA News.

Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) just announced their Post-Title 42 Resource Hub.  This is a page of resources for legal practitioners, advocates, and others helping immigrant clients navigate the immigration system post-Title 42.

Ngan Thi Le’s Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview

uscitizepod: Ngan Thi Le’s Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview

N-400 Part 18 Detailed Review: Oath of Allegiance

uscitizenpod: N-400 Part 18 Detailed Review: Oath of Allegiance

download the pdf

All Thirty N-400 Section Practice Interviews Based on the USCIS Application for Naturalization

Download all scripts: https://bit.ly/uscit-30

N-400 Part 12k Detailed Review: Question 45-50

uscitizenpod: N-400 Practice Interview: Part 12k Detailed Review: Question 45-50

download the pdf

All Thirty N-400 Section Practice Interviews Based on the USCIS Application for Naturalization

Download all scripts: https://bit.ly/uscit-30

A Free Press Matters

 

VOANews: The Inside Story | A Free Press Matters

This week, we're at the United Nations for the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day. Where is a free and independent media in the greatest danger? And who is fighting to ensure the rights of journalists? Join us on The Inside Story: A Free Press Matters.

Learn More:

VOA News: Press Freedom (web page)

VOA Learning English: News Literacy (web page)

 American English at  State: English for Media Literacy (playlist)

 American English at  State: English for Journalism (playlist)

 

Quiz:

USCIS 100:06. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*

USCIS 100:51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

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

USCIS 100:67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

USCIS 100:68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

US Names Somali American National Small Business Person of Year

VOA News: US Names Somali American National Small Business Person of Year 

The U.S. Small Business Administration has named Abdirahman Kahin, a Somali American restaurant chain owner in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the National Small Business Person of the Year for 2023. Mohamud Mascadde in Minneapolis and Abdulaziz Osman Washington have more in this report, narrated by Salem Solomon. Videographers: Abdulaziz Osman and Mohamud Mascadde.

POP QUIZ:

USCIS 100:11. What is the economic system in the United States?*

USCIS 100:28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*

USCIS 100:29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

USCIS 100:36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

USCIS 100:58. What is one reason colonists came to America?

BONUS 1: Abdirahman Kahin's home state borders Canada.  Name this state.

BONUS 2: One of the two longest rivers in the United States starts in Abdirahman Kahin's home state.  Name this river.

N-400 Part 12j Detailed Review: Question 37-44

uscitizenpod: N-400 Practice Interview: Part 12j Detailed Review: Question 37-44

download the pdf

All Thirty N-400 Section Practice Interviews Based on the USCIS Application for Naturalization

Download all scripts: https://bit.ly/uscit-30

N-400 Part 12i Detailed Review: Question 31-36

uscitizenpod: N-400 Practice Interview: Part 12i Detailed Review: Question 31-36

download the pdf

All Thirty N-400 Section Practice Interviews Based on the USCIS Application for Naturalization

Download all scripts: https://bit.ly/uscit-30

N-400 Part 12h Detailed Review: Question 30

uscitizenpod: N-400 Practice Interview: Part 12h Detailed Review: Question 30

download the pdf

All Thirty N-400 Section Practice Interviews Based on the USCIS Application for Naturalization

Download all scripts: https://bit.ly/uscit-30

N-400 Part 12g Detailed Review: Question 22-29

uscitizenpod: N-400 Practice Interview: Part 12g Detailed Review: Question 22-29

download the pdf

All Thirty N-400 Section Practice Interviews Based on the USCIS Application for Naturalization

Download all scripts: https://bit.ly/uscit-30

N-400 Part 12f Detailed Review: Question 17-21

uscitizenpod: N-400 Practice Interview: Part 12f Detailed Review: Question 17-21

download the pdf

All Thirty N-400 Section Practice Interviews Based on the USCIS Application for Naturalization

Download all scripts: https://bit.ly/uscit-30