US Citizenship Podcast

Every week, US Citizenship Podcast brings you practice interviews, quizzes, resources, and the latest news that help you get ready for your US Citizenship Interview.

Winter Holidays Citizenship Quiz 12/24/2024

A Quick Review of the Bill of Rights and the N-400 (2024) Part 9 plus Civics Questions 12/17/2024

A Quick Review of the Bill of Rights and the N-400 (2024) Part 9 plus Civics Questions 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 . Image: Bill of Rights depicted in cartoon format from 1971 Young Citizen teacher’s guide transparency. Courtesy: Syracuse University. Before we begin, there are four news items: 1) On September 20, USCIS released their new “” for adults preparing to naturalize. In support of their commitment 2gen civic literacy, USCIS also released “” 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 by Bill Bliss. . · New Readers Press has just posted a : . 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 “.” 4) Finally, a petition titled, , 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. /episode/index/show/uscitizenpod/id/34482125

The New N-400 Application for Naturalization 04/01/2024

Alecia's Practice Citizenship Interview 10/08/2023

Happy Autumn! Happy U.S. Citizen! 10/02/2023

What's up with the Proposed USCIS Naturalization Test Redesign? 09/25/2023

What's up with the Proposed USCIS Naturalization Test Redesign? In late September, DHS and USCIS released new resources about the . 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 about the potential Government shutdown. And a that connects the Constitution, the Fed Code, and Adult Education. 7/19/2023 Naturalization Test Redesign Resources (DHS, USCIS) webpage PDF648.78 KB0 PDF230.72 KB07/19/2023 VIDEO! webpage See also and Lynne Weintraub’s posts for further comments. 9/19/2023: , 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.” includes audio and quiz. You can watch a sub-titled video of . 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 ; 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 of Bill Bliss’s interview was posted as Medium: . 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 . Please refer questions to: . Resources to Contact CONGRESS about the Potential Government Shutdown /episode/index/show/uscitizenpod/id/28130837

2023 Constitution and Citizenship Week Quiz 09/17/2023

Citizenship Quiz for All Saints and Day of the Dead 2022 11/03/2022

Constitution and Citizenship Week 2022 Quiz 09/24/2022

Happy Pascha 2022! A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Eastern Orthodox Christian Americans 04/24/2022

Happy Pascha 2022! A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Eastern Orthodox Christian Americans Happy Pascha! A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Eastern Orthodox Christian Americans 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: Colonists came to America for freedom. Freedom of religion is that you can practice any religion or not practice a religion. America bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803. The two parts of the US Congress are the Senate and the House of Representatives Dianne Feinstein is one of the two US senators from the state of California. 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. The two major political parties are Democratic and Republican parties. The President's Cabinet advises the President. Ro Khanna is the US Representative of San Jose/Milpitas, California. 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 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. /episode/index/show/uscitizenpod/id/22893110