US Citizenship Podcast

Every week, we bring you practice interviews, quizzes, resources, and the latest news that help you get ready for your US citizenship interview.

GREAT NEWS! You can now file you N-400 online at https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/. I will also post more info next week.

Today, I interview Edwin Cornejo. You can follow along by downloadingout "Regular" citizenship Interview, which contains 75 questions based on the N-400. After the interview, Edwin talks about his hopes to continue his biological studies and perhaps go on to law school. Edwin also talks the importance of protecting the environment and what we can from countries such as Costa Rica and Panama.

Please visit us on the web at uscitizenpod.com where you can find more resources for Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year,and for you enviromentalists, Earth Day.

A "Regular" Citizenship Interview Based on the USCIS N-400r (6 pgs, 75 questions) (updated 10/01/2016) pdf: http://goo.gl/Q5BhXk ppt: https://goo.gl/GUfiKY vocab pdf: https://goo.gl/PsDrG9

A Citizenship Quiz for Christmas http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/christmas-quiz.mp3 http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/christmas-quiz.pdf

A Citizenship Quiz for Kwanzaa mp3: https://goo.gl/IqLgwj pdf: https://goo.gl/byK0vR

A Citizenship Quiz for New Year's Day pdf: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/new-year-quiz.pdf mp3: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/new-year-new-uscitizen.mp3

Citizenship Resources for Earth Day post: http://goo.gl/iwygwv

10 Citizenship Questions in Honor of Earth Day pdf: http://goo.gl/SEkw48

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

Android Users! You can now listen to US Citizenship Podcast on Spotify on your Android mobile devices!

https://open.spotify.com/show/0WyifkUb2UQFYyJXX3iZSc

US Citizenship Podcast Show website http://uscitizenpod.libsyn.com/

US Citizenship Podcast Daily blog: http://www.uscitizenpod.com/

Download our FREE Android app: https://goo.gl/d6rs9f

Download our FREE Apple iPhone/iPad: https://goo.gl/dLiOAE

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://goo.gl/BVrqHQ

Subscribe via Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/us-citizenship-podcast-2/us-citizenship-podcast

Watch our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uscitizenpod

Order "US Citizenship Bootcamp: Exercises and Quizzes to Pass the Naturalization Interview" by Jennifer Gagliardi, amazon.com

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign runs very year from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day. You can learn more at UNWomen.org or checkout Twitter or Instagram hashtags #16days, #16daysofactivism, or #OrangeTheWorld

There is no Citizenship interview or quiz today. Instead we are going to talk about the USCIS U Visa: Relief for Victims of Criminal Activity. Listen and learn--there maybe something on this short podcast that you can use to help a friend, a family member, or even a total stranger.

This podcast is a follow-up to our December 4 podcast about the T Visa: Relief for Victims of Human Trafficking. Also see our Nov 25 blog post, Resources for immigrants Against Gender-Based Violence http://bit.ly/16DaysforImmigrants/. Look for our Dec 10 post: Resources for Human Rights Day; and Dec 15, Bill of Rights Day

Let's get started.

The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is relief for the victims of violent crimes.

In 2000, Congress passed a law called the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act which included the Battered Immigrant Women's Protection Act. This law strengthened the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute violent crimes committed in the United States such as:

Domestic Violence Female Genital Mutilation Incest Marriage Fraud Prostitution Sexual Assault Trafficking

When these crimes occur, many victims choose to remain silent because of their immigration status, inability to speak English, or mistrust of the "strangers" such as police or doctors. A victim may avoid getting medical attention for her injuries because questions that might be asked that are too painful to answer. She doesn't want to answer the question, "Who hurt you?" Although it may seem that she is protecting her abuser, she simply wants the pain to stop. And sometimes a victim to too ashamed to tell her own friends and family.

To fight against these violent crimes in the immigrant community, the USCIS issues a U visa, which allows documented and undocumented victims to stay and work temporarily in the United States. In return, the victims help the police by identifying criminals and testifying about crimes. The U Visa can lead to legal permanent status and naturalization for the survivor and their immediate family.

Because of the many laws involved with violent crimes, a victim is strongly advised to work with lawyers accredited through the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

The lawyers can help the crime victim fill out USCIS Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status.

It is also helpful to include Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification in which a law enforcement official provides more information about the criminal case.

Finally, the victim must write a personal letter (statement) which describes the crime and how it changed the victim's life. The victim may also need to provide police, court, or medical records related to the crime.

More forms are needed to apply for visas for a survivor's family members. But the time and effort is worth it. The victim is not only fighting for justice on their own behalf, they are helping to restore the peace and security in their own family and community at large.

If you are a victim of a violent crime, call 911.

To learn more about the U Visa, go to USCIS.gov

Victims of Criminal Activity: U Nonimmigrant Status https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/victims-human-trafficking-other-crimes/victims-criminal-activity-u-nonimmigrant-status/victims-criminal-activity-u-nonimmigrant-status

Víctimas de actos criminales: estatus U de no inmigrante https://www.uscis.gov/es/programas-humanitarios/victimas-de-la-trata-de-personas-y-de-otros-crimenes/victimas-de-actos-criminales-estatus-u-de-no-inmigrante

I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status https://www.uscis.gov/i-918

ILRC: U Visa/T Visa/VAWA https://www.ilrc.org/u-visa-t-visa-vawa

ILRC: A Guide to Obtaining U Visa Certifications https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/proseuvisamanual_english.pdf

ILRC: Cómo obtener una visa U: Ayuda inmigratoria para victimas de crimen https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/proseuvisamanual_spanish.pdf

ILRC: Immigration Relief for Immigrant Survivors of Abuse: Comparative Quick Reference Chart https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/comparative_chart_7.5.17_finalv2.pdf

Thanks to the students and staff of Milpitas Adult School. Please visit us on the web at uscitizenpod.com where you can find more resources for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. While you are there, click the link for USALearns Citizenship--a free online Citizenship preparation course from the Sacramento County Office of Education. You can also click the link to visit the uscitizenpod channel on YouTube, download our free apps, or buy our book, US Citizenship Bootcamp which is now available Amazon. Thanks for listening; I know that you Will be a great American citizen. Thank you so much, bye-bye.

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

Android Users! You can now listen to US Citizenship Podcast on Spotify on your Android mobile devices!

https://open.spotify.com/show/0WyifkUb2UQFYyJXX3iZSc

US Citizenship Podcast Show website http://uscitizenpod.libsyn.com/

US Citizenship Podcast Daily blog: http://www.uscitizenpod.com/

Download our FREE Android app: https://goo.gl/d6rs9f

Download our FREE Apple iPhone/iPad: https://goo.gl/dLiOAE

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://goo.gl/BVrqHQ

Subscribe via Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/us-citizenship-podcast-2/us-citizenship-podcast

Watch our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uscitizenpod

Order "US Citizenship Bootcamp: Exercises and Quizzes to Pass the Naturalization Interview" by Jennifer Gagliardi, amazon.com

I am a life-long cyberfeminist. Among my many computer projects, I started an email list for people going to the 1995 United Nations Women's Conference in Beijing and followed up by managing a list for domestic violence workers, victims, and survivors.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day. You can learn more at UNWomen.org or checkout Twitter or Instagram hashtags #16days, #16daysofactivism, or #OrangeTheWorld

There is no Citizenship interview or quiz today. Instead we are going to talk about the USCIS T Visa: Relief for Victims of Human Trafficking. Listen and learn--there maybe something on this short podcast that you can use to help a friend, a family member, or even a total stranger.

In a few days, we post another podcast about the U Visa: Relief for Victims of Crime, which includes domestic violence. Also check out our Nov 25 blogpost about resources for immigrants Against Gender-Based Violence http://bit.ly/16DaysforImmigrants/

To learn more about the T Visa, go to USCIS.gov

Victims of Human Trafficking: T Nonimmigrant Status

Víctimas de trata de personas: estatus T de no inmigrante

To learn more about the U.S. government's work to stop human trafficking, go to The Blue Campaign

If you see someone that you think might be a victim of human trafficking, call 1-866-347-2423

To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: call, 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

US Citizenship Podcast Show website http://uscitizenpod.libsyn.com/

US Citizenship Podcast Daily blog: http://www.uscitizenpod.com/

Download our FREE Android app: https://goo.gl/d6rs9f

Download our FREE Apple iPhone/iPad: https://goo.gl/dLiOAE

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://goo.gl/BVrqHQ

Subscribe via Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/us-citizenship- podcast-2/us-citizenship-podcast

Watch our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uscitizenpod

Order "US Citizenship Bootcamp: Exercises and Quizzes to Pass the Naturalization Interview" by Jennifer Gagliardi, amazon.com

USALearns Citizenship https://www.usalearns.org/

Resources for immigrants Against Gender-Based Violence http://bit.ly/16DaysforImmigrants/

This interview is based on:

A "Regular" Citizenship Interview Based on the USCIS N-400r (6 pgs, 75 questions) (updated 10/01/2016)

• pdf: http://goo.gl/Q5BhXk
• ppt: https://goo.gl/GUfiKY
• vocab pdf: https://goo.gl/PsDrG9

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

• US Citizenship Podcast Show website http://uscitizenpod.libsyn.com/
• US Citizenship Podcast Daily blog: http://www.uscitizenpod.com/
• Download our FREE Android app: https://goo.gl/d6rs9f
• Download our FREE Apple iPhone/iPad: https://goo.gl/dLiOAE
• Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://goo.gl/BVrqHQ
• Subscribe via Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/us-citizenship-podcast-2/us-citizenship-podcast
• Watch our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uscitizenpod
• Order "US Citizenship Bootcamp: Exercises and Quizzes to Pass the Naturalization Interview" by Jennifer Gagliardi, http://eslpublishing.com/

In this episode, we reflect on the Pilgrims Immigration and first year in America by pairing these events with twelve questions from the N-400 Application for Naturalization.

PDF: https://goo.gl/x8hNUG (download and follow along!) MP3: https://goo.gl/d4ZuK4 (listen to the 2016 questions only)

More Citizenship Resources for Thanksgiving are available at http://www.uscitizenpod.com/2017/11/citizenship-resources-for-thansgiving.html

Don't miss our new video: Ahn Dung's Citizenship Interview https://youtu.be/SyJ_iVigYCE

I am happy to report that Ahn Dung and his wife Phuong passed their Citizenship Interviews on Tuesday, November 21. Look for their report back video on the uscitizenpod's YouTube channel and subscribe.

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

US Citizenship Podcast Show website http://uscitizenpod.libsyn.com/

US Citizenship Podcast Daily blog: http://www.uscitizenpod.com/

Download our FREE Android app: https://goo.gl/d6rs9f

Download our FREE Apple iPhone/iPad: https://goo.gl/dLiOAE

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://goo.gl/BVrqHQ

Subscribe via Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/us-citizenship-podcast-2/us-citizenship-podcast

Watch our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uscitizenpod

Order "US Citizenship Bootcamp: Exercises and Quizzes to Pass the Naturalization Interview" by Jennifer Gagliardi https://www.amazon.com/US-Citizenship-Bootcamp-Jennifer-Gagliardi/dp/0998696501/

November is Native American Heritage Month so today we are going to listen our Second Citizenship Quiz in Honor American Indians. Download the bonus pdf, answer the questions, and check the show notes for the answers. 

PDF: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/native-american-quiz-2.pdf

1. Louisiana Territory 2. Missouri River 3. Pacific Ocean 4. Freedom of the Press 5. Mike Pence 6. the Senate and the House of Representatives 7. Paul Ryan 8. Answer will vary. The governor of Alaska is Bill Walker. 9. the Mexican-American War 10. the Persian Gulf War

Citizenship Resources for Native American Heritage Month

• http://www.uscitizenpod.com/2017/11/citizenship-resources-for-native.html

10 USCIS Civics questions focusing on Recent Native American History and Legislation 2016

• mp3: https://goo.gl/cdKi4y
• pdf: https://goo.gl/lt9Ekf

Before we go, I would like to suggest one more resource. Go to Indian Country Media Network and check out these two blog posts:

Native American Radio (and Podcasts) You Can Take Anywhere Chelsey Luger • June 16, 2017 https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/travel/destinations/native- american-radio-podcasts-can-take-anywhere/

For Your Online Listening Pleasure: 12 Great Native Podcasts Monica Braine • April 8, 2017 https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/culture/arts- entertainment/online-listening-pleasure-12-great-native-podcasts/

TIP: Pick a topic that it intersting to you such a music, art, or technology and then listen to an Native American podcast that matches your interest. You'll sharpen your English listening skills for your Citizenship Interview while learning more about Native Americans from Native Americans.

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

• US Citizenship Podcast Show website
  • http://uscitizenpod.libsyn.com/
• Download our FREE Android app:
  • https://goo.gl/d6rs9f
• Download our FREE Apple iPhone/iPad:
  • https://goo.gl/dLiOAE
• Subscribe vi Apple Podcasts:
  • https://goo.gl/BVrqHQ
• Order "US Citizenship Bootcamp: Exercises and Quizzes to Pass the Naturalization Interview" by Jennifer Gagliardi, Amazon.com

All Saints and Day of the Dead are part of a 3-day festival that remembers the lives of those who passed before us. This quiz honors the lives and contributions of ten Americans who died this year:

Nov 7 Janet Reno, 78, American lawyer and politician, first female U.S. Attorney General (1993–2001)

Dec 8 John Glenn, 95, American astronaut (Mercury-Atlas 6) and politician, U.S. Senator from Ohio (1974–1999

Dec 9 Edwin Benson, 85, American teacher, last speaker of the Mandan language

Dec 30 Huston Smith, 97, American religious scholar and author

Jan 14 Kevin Starr, 76, American historian and librarian

Feb 18 Norma McCorvey, 69, American political activist, plaintiff in U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade

Feb 22 Eni Faleomavaega, 73, American Samoan politician and attorney, Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives (1989–2015), Lieutenant Governor (1985–1989).

Mar 14 Lillie Mae Bradford, 88, American civil rights activist.

July 23 Thomas Fleming, 90, American writer and historian (American Revolution)

Oct 18 Rita Henley Jensen, 70, American journalist, founder of Women's eNews

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_2016 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_2017

Find more at

Also check out the new FREE online Citizenship Prep course: USALearns Citizenship

Thank you!

I am very excited to announce a new online citizenship prep course: USALearns Citizenship which was developed by the Sacramento Office of Education in conjuncture with USCIS and the California State Library.

This course is FREE and is available at www.USALearns.org

The course is divide into four parts:

Part 1 reviews eligibility requirements.

Part 2 reviews the vocabulary and grammar structures associated with the N-400 Application for Naturalization.

Part 3 reviews the history, government, and geography material plus the terms and grammar associated with the USCIS Civics test, known as "The 100 Questions." Plus it reviews the vocabulary for the Reading and Spelling test.

Part 4 reviews the interview skills, such as small talk and clarification questions. It also gives you a preview of your new life as an American citizen when you apply for your passport or sponsor family members to immigrate to the United States.

USALearns Citizenship is perfect for the classroom or directed-self study. Also check out their English courses and download their English language learning apps.

Join USALearns Citizenship at usalearns.org and get ready for US Citizenship. I know that you will be a great American citizen!

Today we are going to listen to Linda Chen's Second Practice Citizenship Interview. This time we did not use a script; I simply reviewed her N-400 Application for Naturalization. Listen to her first interview here:

A Casual Citizenship Interview with Mrs Chen (Kaohsiung, Taiwan) http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2017-casual-interview.mp3

After the interview, Mrs Chen and I talk about the Taiwanese language and the importance of passing on our language and heritage to our children.

You can download pdfs of the interview and quiz at uscitizenpod.com

A "Casual" Citizenship Interview Based on the USCIS N-400r (40qs, 2pgs) (updated 06/12/2016)

pdf: http://goo.gl/3tQWXw

ppt: https://goo.gl/pctBRb

vocab pdf: https://goo.gl/kaekRV

USCIS 100 Remix Quiz: Twos" 02, 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, 92 http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/q02s.pdf

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

US Citizenship Podcast Show website http://uscitizenpod.libsyn.com/

Watch our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uscitizenpod

Watch our new US Citizenship Podcast Audiograms: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtyN34w6H7y5G2WWqGw_wWhGd5I5wtwEs

Download our FREE Android app: https://goo.gl/d6rs9f

Download our FREE Apple iPhone/iPad: https://goo.gl/dLiOAE

Subscribe vi Apple Podcasts: https://goo.gl/BVrqHQ

Order "US Citizenship Bootcamp: Exercises and Quizzes to Pass the Naturalization Interview" by Jennifer Gagliardi, ESLPublishing.com

Columbus Day is a US federal holiday that is celebrated on the second Monday of October.

Columbus Day remembers Christopher Columbus' arrival to the Americas on October 12, 1492.

Indigenous Peoples Day is a holiday that celebrates the native peoples of North America. It began as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day.

Indigenous Peoples Day promotes Native American culture and history.

The Columbian Exchange was a widespread exchange of people, crops, and animals between the people of the "Old World" (Europe, Africa,and Asia) and the "New World" (North, Central, and South America)

Tobacco, Cocoa, Maize, Tomatoes, and Potatoes came from the "New World." So do Avocados, Beans, Peanuts, Squash, and Turkeys.

Wheat, Coffee, Horses, Rice, and Sugar came from the "Old World." So do Apples, Bananas, Cattle, Chickens, and Pigs.

Celebrate our Common Table!

Pop Quiz:

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

Name two national U.S. holidays.

Also see:

Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day Citizenship Resources 2017 http://bit.ly/2ndMonInOct

Columbus Day and the Columbian Exchange Puzzle http://goo.gl/y07umg

Native American Tribes Puzzle http://goo.gl/UgmI7Y

Citizenship Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month 2017 http://bit.ly/hhm-citizenship-resources

¡Viva Boricua! A Citizenship Quiz In Honor of Puerto Rico pdf: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/quiz-puerto-rico.pdf podcast: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/quiz-puerto-rico.mp3 video: https://youtu.be/fwWZoymysH4

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

US Citizenship Podcast Show website http://uscitizenpod.libsyn.com/ US Citizenship Podcast Daily blog: http://www.uscitizenpod.com/ Download our FREE Android app: https://goo.gl/d6rs9f Download our FREE Apple iPhone/iPad: https://goo.gl/dLiOAE Subscribe via Apple iTunes: https://goo.gl/BVrqHQ Subscribe via Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/us-citizenship-podcast-2/us-citizenship-podcast Watch our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uscitizenpod Order "US Citizenship Bootcamp: Exercises and Quizzes to Pass the Naturalization Interview" by Jennifer Gagliardi, http://eslpublishing.com/