Why are politicians called lame ducks?

VOA News: Why are politicians called lame ducks? 

Joe Biden is said to be entering the lame-duck period of his presidency, but what does that mean?

Yellowstone National Park hosts naturalization ceremony for 53 new US citizens

BZK Bozeman: Yellowstone National Park hosts naturalization ceremony for 53 new US citizens 

At Arch Park, just outside of Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, 53 individuals became American citizens on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.

Learn more:

1. n-400r-12k  Attachment to the US Constitution
2. n-400r-16-17 Signature at Interview / Renunciation
3. n-400r-18    Oath of Allegiance

The Inside Story | USA VOTES 2024

 VOA News: The Inside Story | USA VOTES 2024 

Join us on The Inside Story as we report on President Biden's final address in NY at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Plus, we report on the potential shifts in foreign policy and what they might look like after Americans vote in the presidential election this coming November. That's this week on The Inside Story USAVOTES 2024.

What is the Electoral College?

VOA News: What is the Electoral College?  

The Electoral College is how we refer to the process by which the citizens of the United States elect the president. Here’s how it works.

US Citizenship Podcast

• Electoral College Citizenship Quizzes
• Part 1: U.S. Civics mp3 / pdf
• Part 2: U.S. History mp3 / pdf

USCIS' New Insignia

USCIS' new insignia features the Statue of Liberty as a visual depiction of our commitment to upholding America's promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve.  Read more.

2024-2025 MAE Citizenship Class 04

 

Sept 25, 1789 – The United States Congress passes twelve constitutional amendments: the ten known as the Bill of Rights, the (unratified) Congressional Apportionment Amendment, and the Congressional Compensation Amendment.

04 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)

USCIS 100 Quiz: Numbers

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

Voices of Freedom: Ch 5: Type of Gov't, Rule of Law, Fed & State Gov't, Public Officials, US Const, BofR

Preparing the Oath: Government Basics

More Resources
Resources for Constitution and Citizenship Week
USCIS 100: California, SJ/Milpitas

Get Out to Vote, Learn About Easy to Use Civic Engagement Resources, Tips and Tricks

 

COABE: Get Out to Vote, Learn About Easy to Use Civic Engagement Resources, Tips and Tricks 

Participants will identify the latest civics and online voting and 2024 Election resources appropriate for ELL, ABE, and Citizenship adult learners in the form of mobile apps, videos, podcasts, websites, activities, and more. By adapting and incorporating these digital resources, participants will be able to deliver relevant content about voting in online, blended, distance, or directed self-study learning environments.  Check our the  COABE VOTER RESOURCES page.

 Speakers: Jennifer Gagliardi from LINCS, and Chris Myers, Opportunities Industrialization Center of Oklahoma County, and a 2024 SAAEF Fellow

USCIS: One Nation, One People: The USCIS Civics Test Textbook (PDF)

 

USCIS: One Nation, One People: The USCIS Civics Test Textbook (PDF)

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/brochures/OOC_M-1175_CivicsTextbook_8.5x11_V7_RGB_English_508.pdf

On behalf of Citizenship teachers and students, THANK YOU USCIS Office of Citizenship!

#naturalization #citizenship USCIS LINCS .

Naturalization Ceremony - Constitution Day 2024

 

NCC: Naturalization Ceremony - Constitution Day 2024 

Every September 17 we celebrate Constitution Day as well as Citizenship Day, a holiday meant to honor and celebrate the privileges and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship for both native-born and naturalized citizens. In recognition of this special observance, watch live as the National Constitution Center hosts an annual Naturalization Ceremony as part of our Constitution Day celebrations, during which 50 immigrants from across the globe will take the Oath of Allegiance to officially become citizens of the United States. The Honorable John R. Padova, senior judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, will preside over the ceremony. National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen will offer remarks and MSNBC host and NCC Trustee Ali Velshi will give the keynote address.

USCIS 100:53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen? 

• give up loyalty to other countries 
• defend the Constitution and laws of the United States 
• obey the laws of the United States 
• serve in the U.S. military (if needed) 
• serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed) 
• be loyal to the United States 

The Inside Story | USA VOTES 2024

VOA News: The Inside Story | USA VOTES 2024  

VOA reports on a small town in Ohio at the center of the presidential campaign. Plus, we cover the forces threatening U.S. election integrity. This week on The Inside Story: USA VOTES 2024.

The battleground states that will decide the 2024 presidential race

VOA News: The battleground states that will decide the 2024 presidential race 

Every four years, the US presidential race zeroes in on "swing states." These battlegrounds, unlike states that consistently favor one party, can flip between elections and often determine who wins the White House. Understanding swing states is essential to grasping how America picks its president.

USCIS 100:64.  There were 13 original states.  Name the three swing states that were original states.

USCIS 100:92.  Name one swing state that borders Canada.

USCIS 100:93.  Name one swing state that borders Mexico.

Shift in women’s voter demographics could favor Democrats

VOA News: Shift in women’s voter demographics could favor Democrats 

American women are poised to play an important role in deciding the 2024 U.S. presidential election. In recent years, women have registered to vote and cast votes at higher rates than men. Although women are not a monolithic voting bloc, the trends favor one major party over the other.

POP Quiz:

USCIS 100:45.  What are the two major political parties in the United States?*

USCIS 100:48.  There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote.  Describe one of them.

USCIS 100:77.  What did Susan B. Anthony do?

2024-2025 MAE Citizenship Class 03

 

• 03 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• USCIS 100 Quiz: Dates
• Hao Thi Vu: A Quick Interview for US Constitution and Citizenship Day 2014 pdf 
• Voices of Freedom: Ch 4: Senate, House of Representatives, President, Cabinet, Supreme Court
• Preparing the Oath: The Presidency

More Resources

• Resources for Constitution and Citizenship Week
• USCIS 100: California, SJ/Milpitas
• wh: The Presidential Cabinet

We Signed the Constitution 2024!

 Scan the QR Code

Or click this link

Or share this link: bit.ly/maeconst24

This is the original link to the Constitution padlet.

Or go www.milpitaschat.com

1, Go to the padlet (scan qr code or click link)

2. Click the YELLOW BUTTON (with +) 

3. Click Green Button (camera)

4. Take a selfie with

• The Constitution
• The Flag
• Your Name (printed and signed)
• Friends

5. Upload it and virtually Sign the Constitution

Resources for Constitution Day:

https://www.uscitizenpod.com/p/us-citizenship-resources-for.html

https://www.milpitaschat.com/2023/09/the-us-constitution-week.html

Events and Resources for AEFLWeek and Constitution/Citizenship Week

Here are links to events and resources recently posted to the LINCS Civics Education and Citizenship group.  Join us!

Discussion : Upcoming Adult Ed Civics Webinars in September

Bulletin : 9/16 1 pm ET Process to U.S. Citizenship and Federal Interagency Initiatives

Discussion : National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week Resources

Discussion : Aug 22 and 29 USCIS Tech Talks: Keeping Families Together Engagement Series (UPDATED)

Discussion : IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 9/12 Supporting the Voting Rights of People with Disabilities (crosspost)

Discussion : Civics Resources for Constitution and Citizenship Week 2024

Nearly 1,000 new US citizens take oath at Wrigley Field: 'It's the American dream'

ABC Chicago: Nearly 1,000 new US citizens take oath at Wrigley Field: 'It's the American dream'

The Inside Story | USA Votes 2024: The Candidates Debate

VOA News: The Inside Story | USA Votes 2024: The Candidates Debate 

 This week on The Inside Story, American voters react to the first presidential debate between Republican candidate, Donald Trump, and Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris. Hear the details of what happened and what voters want from the candidates. Plus, we follow the path to freedom of our colleague, Alsu Kurmasheva, and hear from her husband about the journey to bring her back home. Join us this week on The Inside Story.

POP QUIZ

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

USCIS 100:27.  In what month do we vote for President?* 

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 100:45.  What are the two major political parties in the United States?*

USCIS 100:46.  What is the political party of the President now?

USCIS 100:49.  What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?* 

USCIS 100:50.  Name one right only for United States citizens.

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 to Celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

 

USCIS: Citizenship Day and Constitution Week

News Release: USCIS to Celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Sept 13, 2024

WASHINGTON — On Sept. 17, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day as part of Constitution Week (Sept. 17 to 23). The commemoration honors both the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day.” Citizenship Day began in 1952, signed into law by President Harry Truman and, in 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed the first Constitution Week.

“We continue to work in communities to raise awareness about citizenship in line with our mission to uphold America’s promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect, and Constitution Week provides the opportunity to highlight this mission,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “We are committed to removing barriers to immigration benefits and ensuring that we operate fairly and efficiently.” 

Each year, USCIS celebrates Constitution Week by celebrating the connection between the Constitution and citizenship, reflecting on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and holding special naturalization ceremonies across the country. The Constitution plays a meaningful role in the lives of all Americans, but particularly for those who are Americans by choice. The Constitution not only establishes the rule of law, but it also creates the framework for an immigration system that enables immigrants to become citizens.

As part of Constitution Week, USCIS will welcome more than 17,000 new citizens in over 400 naturalization ceremonies across the nation from Sept. 14-23. Among the special naturalization ceremonies taking place is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation event on Sept. 17, where USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou will administer the Oath of Allegiance. For additional venues, please view a list of highlighted 2024 Constitution Week themed ceremonies.

USCIS is committed to educating underserved or vulnerable populations about the benefits and opportunities of citizenship, and about the naturalization process. New U.S. citizens invigorate and contribute to their adopted country, and USCIS encourages eligible immigrants to naturalize. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, we have taken steps to support the implementation of Executive Order 14012: Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans, including the USCIS Ambassador Initiative in which USCIS collaborates with immigrant community leaders.

The 2024 Constitution Week caps a year of notable accomplishments for USCIS in promoting citizenship and upholding our mission by making the naturalization process accessible to all who are eligible, including:

Decreasing the naturalization backlog by 60 percent and returned to processing times under six months. Learn more about backlog reduction on our immigration data page.

Issuing a new edition of the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with new features:

• Enabling new citizens to seamlessly request Social Security updates; and
• Providing a third gender option on Form N-400;
• Clarifying guidance about the application of confidentiality protections following naturalization; and
• Issuing guidance on children’s acquisition of citizenship.

For more information about USCIS’ Constitution Day and Citizenship Day activities, please see the USCIS Celebrates Constitution Day and Citizenship Day 2024 Fact Sheet (PDF, 5.23 MB).

Eligible lawful permanent residents go through a comprehensive, multi-step process to become U.S. citizens. The final step in the naturalization process is the most important one, the Oath of Allegiance.

To help applicants prepare to become U.S. citizens, USCIS provides study materials and resources, including a mobile app, USCIS: Civics Test Study Tools, which is currently available in the Apple App and Google Play Store. To find it, search for “USCIS civics test” or “USCIS.” In addition to being the only official USCIS Civics Test application, the app keeps old practice tests for review, has a game to challenge users’ civics knowledge, and lists all 100 questions and answers that could be asked in the actual civics test. Applicants can also access a civics practice test on the Citizenship Resource Center.

Following each naturalization ceremony, we encourage new U.S. citizens and their families and friends to share their naturalization photos on social media using the hashtags #NewUSCitizen, #ConstitutionWeek, and #WeThePeople. 

Release Date 

09/13/2024

Young voters could make difference in US presidential election, say analysts

VOA News: Young voters could make difference in US presidential election, say analysts 

This year, about 8 million young people will turn 18 and become eligible to vote. In all, an estimated 41 million members of Gen Z — people under age 27 — will be able to vote in the 2024 presidential election.

USCIS 100: 48.  There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote.  Describe one of them.

USCIS 100:54.  How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*

2024-2025 MAE Citizenship Class 02

 

source

• 02 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• USCIS 100 Quiz: History Names and Symbols
• Fu-Chiu Chen: A Quick Interview for US Constitution and Citizenship Day pdf
• Voices of Freedom: Ch 3: Branches of Government
• Preparing the Oath: Government Basics: USCIS 100:13; USCIS 100:14

More Resources

• Resources for Constitution and Citizenship Week

9/11

USCIS 100:86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

 

VOA News: Flag unfurled at Pentagon to mark 9/11 anniversary

Also see:

• VOA News: 23 years after 9/11, terrorism still stalks US, globe

More Resources:

• NPR: The 20th Anniversary Of The 9/11 Attacks plus the 2022 update
• NPS: Flight 93
• si.edu: Preparing the Oath September 11, 2001 (video)
• USCIS: U.S. History Since 1900 - Intermediate Level Lesson Plan
• uscitizenpod: 
• N-400r-12b (2019)   Affiliations
• 09 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• 10 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• VOA News
• Biden, Harris mark 9/11 with visit to Flight 93 Memorial (2024)
• Vanished US Flag From Famous 9/11 Photo Returns to Ground Zero (2016)
• Arboreal Survivor of 9/11 is Alive, and Well Joyce Kilmer, an American poet who died in 1918, wrote a famous poem called Trees. It opens with: "I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree." In 2013, if alive, he could have written about a tree that loves life and defeated tragedy. 

USCIS 100:86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

• Terrorists attacked the United States.

The Presidential Debate

 

VOA News: Presidential debates that sparked change

VOA News:  US Election video playlist

VOA News: 2024 Election (full coverage)

C-SPAN: Full Presidential Debate

LWV: Presidential Debate Bingo Cards

California Admissions Day

uscitizenpod: Love and Citizenship from the Heart of California: An US Citizenship Interview with Rene Smith ESL/Citizenship Instructor Madera Adult School

Teacher Jennifer does a practice US Citizenship interview with Teacher Rene (Madera Adult School), then Rene about her own experience about becoming a US citizen and preparing students to become US Citizens.



Today is California Admissions Day!

I have created and uploaded a simple .docx about the State of California. I included info about our local government officials for the students of Milpitas Adult School.  Edit the docx for your own officials.

• USCIS 100:20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*
• USCIS 100:23. Name your U.S. Representative.
• USCIS 100:43. Who is the Governor of your state now?
• USCIS 100:44. What is the capital of your state?*

Also check out the US Census: Stats for California

Teaching the NEW USCIS N400 Application for Naturalization

Teaching the NEW USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization google slides

CATESOL 2024-09-06
Jennifer Gagliardi
OTAN SME
jgagliardi@scoe.net

Teaching U.S. Citizenship Prep 2024

bit.ly/uscit-padlet

The pdfs are fillable (to encourage digital literacy and support distance learning).   Additionally, I have made every effort to make the pdfs accessible to people of all abilities.  

Although the pdfs are secure, you can use this work by Jennifer Gagliardi under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

• 01 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• 02 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• 03 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024) (printing fixed)
• 04 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• 05 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• 06 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• 07 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• 08 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• 09 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)
• 10 Practice Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Form N-400 (2024)

Local woman finishes 25-year journey to US citizenship

 KOB 4: Local woman finishes 25-year journey to US citizenship 

Imagine taking 25 years to complete one task. Ana Yadira Aparicio Calderon, who goes by Yayo, took more than two decades of tears, fear, and community support to complete her task of becoming a U.S. citizen. (read more)