Celebrate the Winter Holidays with 15 Civics Questions.  I ask, you answer.

Download a PDF of this quiz, click https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/uscitizenpod/winter-holidays.pdf

For more Citizenship Resources for the Winter Holidays, visit https://www.uscitizenpod.com/p/us-citizenship-resources-for-winter.html.

For more info on Inauguration Day, including the Oath of Office, visit https://www.usa.gov/inauguration

Even during the holidays, study a little bit every day.  I know that you will be a GREAT American citizen!

All rights reserved.  Do not remix!

After a long hiatus, we are back with regular podcasts that feature questions from the new USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization.  In honor of the Bill of Rights Day, December 15, we are pairing the first ten amendments with some questions from the new N-400 Part 9 and some Civics questions.  Here is a pdf of the A Quick Review of the Bill of Rights and the N-400 (2024) Part 9 plus Civics Questions.  

Image: Bill of Rights depicted in cartoon format from 1971 Young Citizen teacher’s guide transparency. Courtesy: Syracuse University. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE and for teacher printable version.

Before we begin, there are four news items:

1)     On September 20, USCIS released their new “One Nation, One People: Civics Test Textbook” for adults preparing to naturalize.  In support of their commitment 2gen civic literacy, USCIS also released “Color Me Civics: U.S. Landmarks and Symbols Coloring Book” in English and Spanish.  You can download these free resources from USCIS.

2) Two new N-400 (2024) Part 9 resources:

·        Pearson ELT USA Team just release a free pdf of the UPDATED Naturalization Speaking Test from Voices of Freedom by Bill Bliss.  Download the test practice. 

·        New Readers Press has just posted a new “Tricky Vocabulary” handout (for explaining vocabulary in the new N-400 part 9):  .  This resource complements Citizenship: Passing the Test Ready for the Interview Student Book 4th Edition by Lynn Weintraub

3)     On December 13, LINCS.ed.gov The 2024 Naturalization Fee Reduction Webinar with Shawn Chakrabarti, a former Education Specialist with the office of Citizenship, USCIS.  Mr. Chakrabarti explained the USCIS naturalization fee structure, highlighting that 9.2 million people are eligible for citizenship, with 4 million likely having limited English proficiency. He detailed the new fee waiver and reduction rules, noting that 80% of LPRs may qualify for fee reductions. Mr. Chakrabarti emphasized the importance of detailed student intakes, partnering with legal service providers, and leveraging digital literacy to navigate the new fee rules. He also encouraged commenting on Federal Register notices to influence future policies.  Although this webinar was not recorded, detailed notes and resources are available on LINCS.ed.gov Civics Education and Citizenship Group under the “FOLLOW UP: 12/13 The 2024 Naturalization Fee Reduction Webinar.”

4)     Finally, a petition titled, Call to Codify Improvements to U.S. Naturalization Test, hosted on the TESOL Advocacy Action Center.  The petition asks USCIS to codify two items in the Federal Register:

·        Intermediate low level of English is the fair and appropriate level for the civics and speaking test.

·        The speaking test which is based on eligibility interview with an USCIS officer should be limited to basic questions. For complex questions, applicants may use interpreters.

With just one click, you can virtually sign the petition, which is immediately sent to your US representative and both senators.  Please sign this petition immediately to protect the fairness of the Naturalization interview.

Thank you!  I know that you will be a GREAT American Citizen!

This podcast is copy righted by Jennifer Gagliardi and US Citizenship Podcast and may not be remixed or re-used.

On April 1, 2024, USCIS released the new N-400 Application for Naturalization.  It is 14 pages and includes a Request for Fee Reduction.  Starting June 3, USCIS will accept only the 04/01/24 edition. Until then, you can also use the 09/17/19 E and 09/17/19 editions. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions. The new filing fee is effective for filings postmarked April 1, 2024, and later. If you are filing an acceptable prior form edition, you must include the new filing fee.

Paper General Filing  $760; Online Filing Fee  $710

If your documented annual household income is not more than 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and you submit supporting documentation with your application.  $380

If you meet the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act sections 328 or 329 with respect to military service.  $0

The New N-400 Application for Naturalization Video: https://youtu.be/lhdD3mHETh4?si=KSfAwUAWpfVsGbSk

In honor of Hispanic American Heritage Month, we are featuring a N-400 practice interview wth Alecia from Colombia.  

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month page | video playlist
• U.S. Citizenship Resources for Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day page

Practice Citizenship interview with Sofia from Morocco.

A “Typical” Citizenship Interview Based on the USCIS N-400r (4 pages)

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/uscitizenpod/n-400r-typical.pdf

USCIS 100 Remix Quizzes

"Ones" 01, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91

http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/q01s.pdf 

"Twos" 02, 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, 92

http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/q02s.pdf 

"Threes" 03, 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73, 83, 93

http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/q03s.pdf 

 

In late September, DHS and USCIS released new resources about the Naturalization Test Redesign.  This prompted updated commentary from VOA News, ILRC, Bill Bliss, and other stakeholders.  In order to address and clarify to redesign process, USCIS will be hosting NIICE: National Immigrant Integration & Citizenship Education Conference, October 18-19, in Washington D.C. Plus resources to contact CONGRESS about the potential Government shutdown.  And a QUICK CITIZENSHIP QUIZ that connects the Constitution, the Fed Code, and Adult Education.

7/19/2023 Naturalization Test Redesign Resources (DHS, USCIS) 

• DHS Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman webpage
• July 19, 2023 Engagement with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the Naturalization Test Redesign Initiative
• July 19, 2023 Naturalization Test Redesign Updates Power Point Presentation PDF648.78 KB0
• July 19, 2023 Naturalization Test Redesign Initiative Readout PDF230.72 KB07/19/2023
• July, 19, 2023 USCIS and Office of CIS Ombudsman's Webinar Series: Naturalization Test Redesign Updates VIDEO! 
• USCIS Naturalization Test Redesign Development 2022 webpage
• See also LINCS and Lynne Weintraub’s Citizenship News posts for further comments.

9/19/2023: Citizenship Test Changes Might Require Better English Skills, VOA

“Possible changes to the naturalization interview would make civics questions multiple choice to “reflect current best practices in test design,” USCIS said in a document explaining the update to the test. Schmelzer said that would make the test harder for immigrants who may not have a great understanding of American history or English.” Article includes audio and quiz.  You can watch a sub-titled video of VOA Learning English Podcast for Wednesday September 20, 2023. The Citizenship story starts at 11:08.  Appropriate for intermediate ESL adult learners. 

09/20/2023 USCIS Naturalization Test Redesign – Flaws in Design and Transparency, ILRC

• ILRC attorneys and guest speaker Bill Bliss gave an overview of the USCIS naturalization test redesign announced in December 2022. Educators of low-literacy adults believe that these changes would make the test significantly more difficult for applicants. This is a free webinar. Click 9/20 USCIS Naturalization Test Redesign; create account; checkout; go to your account to view the recording.      Note: webinar resources include slides (note: slide 31 “Register comments” for email addresses), “English and US History & Government Tests” (from ILRC Naturalization & US Citizenship, and recent articles by Bill Bliss.
• A transcript of Bill Bliss’s interview was posted as Medium: 9/22 USCIS Naturalization Test Redesign — Flaws in Design and Transparency.

10/17/2023 to 10/18/2023 NIICE: National Immigrant Integration & Citizenship Education Conference: THE ROAD TO ACCESS AND INCLUSION, USCIS Headquarters, Camp Springs, MD

• USCIS, in partnership with the White House Task Force on New Americans (TFNA) and the Interagency Naturalization Working Group (NWG), is bringing together professionals with equities in immigrant integration and citizenship education from both the public and private sectors.
• The conference is free; however, participants are responsible for transportation and lodging. The conference will take place October 17-18 with optional pre-conference activities on October 16. Virtual and in-person attendance options are available.  Please CAREULLY review the registration info under the NIICE website information and registration tabs. Please refer questions to: [email protected].

Resources to Contact CONGRESS about the Potential Government Shutdown

• Voice of America (VOA) US News
• VOA US Immigration News
• VOA Learrning English
• House.gov
• Senate.gov
• uscitizenpod: Who are my U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative?

uscitizenpod: National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week Civics Quiz

 

 

 

Happy Constitution and Civics Week!  Ten civics questions that follow the structure of the US Constitution. 

PDF: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/uscitizenpod/const-2023.pdf

Video: https://youtu.be/41-1oMXHIvI

Learn more at

LINCS: Civics Resources for Constitution and Citizenship Week https://bit.ly/lincs-const

uscitizenpod: U.S. Citizenship Resources for Constitution and Citizenship Week https://bit.ly/uscit-const

All Saints and Day of the Dead are part of a 3-day festival that remembers the lives of those who passed before us in 2022.  

quiz pdf

mp3 audio

mp4 video

More U.S. Citizenship Resources for Halloween, All Saints, and Day of the Dead

Ten questions for Constitution and Citizenship Week 2022

Download a pdf of this quiz: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/uscitizenpod/const-2022.pdf 

Pair this 10 Question civics quiz with one of the Mix-and-Match Citizenship Interviews (https://bit.ly/mm-uscitizen) for a quick mock naturalization interview.

Find more Constitution and Citizenship Week 2022 resources at https://www.uscitizenpod.com/p/us-citizenship-resources-for.html 

Find more Citizenship Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 https://www.uscitizenpod.com/p/us-citizenship-resources-for-hispanic.html 

Happy Pascha! A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Eastern Orthodox Christian Americans pdf: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/uscitizenpod/pascha-quiz.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, and this year, we are celebrating Easter on the same day.

This is recording is an update of a 2017 podcast featuring Branka and her husband Tony, both of whom were from the former Yugoslavia by way of Canada. Branka was a longtime colleague who at the time worked as a Projects Coordinator for OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK (otan.us) and had recently became a new US citizen. She then moved on to lead the Capital Adult Education Consortium. In late 2021, she and her family returned to Serbia where she continues to consult on Adult Education and digital literacy matters.

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.  Kamala Harris is the current Vice-President of the United States.  Gavin Newsom is the current Governor of California.
7. The two major political parties are Democratic and Republican parties.
8. The President's Cabinet advises the President.
9. Ro Khanna is the US Representative of San Jose/Milpitas, California.
10. Two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy are join a civic group and join a community group.

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

StoryCorps: Vivek and Vlade: From New Arrivals To Kings http://www.capradio.org/articles/2015/12/08/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.

 

Happy Presidents' Week!  Happy George Washington's Birthday!  Happy 2-22-2022!  Today we have two quick practice quizzes.  Check back with uscitizenpod.com for new Presidents' Week quizzes and resources.  You can also see a video version of this interview with closed captions on the uscitizenpod YouTube channel.

Download the PDFs for this episode

Citizenship Interview Quiz for Presidents’ Week 2022: Washington's Birthday

Citizenship Interview: Series E / Practice 1 (voting/taxes)

Mix-and-Match Citizenship Quiz: Name Two (or More)

You can pre-order my new book, U.S. Citizenship for Dummies, by Jennifer Gagliardi at amazon.com and other fine booksellers.