On July 2, 2021, USCIS released a new report: A Quick Review of the USCIS Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization.  Dr. Patricia Hernandez and Teacher Jennifer Gagliardi do a quick review of the plan and look forward to it's implementation. USCIS Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization https://www.uscis.gov/promotingnaturalization  Executive Order on Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/02/02/executive-order-restoring-faith-in-our-legal-immigration-systems-and-strengthening-integration-and-inclusion-efforts-for-new-americans/  Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization pdf https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/reports/Interagency_Strategy_for_Promoting_Naturalization_Final.pdf  Naturalization Policies Fact Sheet https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/fact-sheets/EXA_NatzPoliciesFactSheet_06292021_SP_V2.pdf LIST OF PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS https://bit.ly/cit-lawyer   or   https://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers 

US Citizenship Podcast

Promoting Naturalization

 Release Date  04/12/2021 WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online if they are filing under one of these categories: (c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT; (c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT; and (c)(3)(C) – 24-Month Extension of OPT for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students. OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). Eligible F-1 students who receive STEM degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. “USCIS remains committed to maximizing our online filing capabilities,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of USCIS Director Tracy Renaud. “The I-765 online filing option allows eligible students to file forms online in a more user-friendly fashion and increases efficiencies for adjudicators.” The option to file Form I-765 online is only available to F-1 students filing Form I-765 for OPT. If an applicant submits Form I-765 online to request employment authorization on or after April 15, but is eligible for a different employment authorization category, USCIS will deny the application and retain the fee. As USCIS continues to transition to paperless operations, the agency will work to expand online filing for Form I-765 to additional categories. Online filing allows applicants to submit forms electronically, check the status of their case anytime from anywhere, and receive notices from USCIS online instead of waiting for them in the mail. USCIS is using innovation and technology to meet the needs of applicants, petitioners and employees. Regardless of the paper or electronic format of an application or petition, USCIS is committed to ensuring a secure and efficient process for all. Individuals can file 11 USCIS forms online, which can all be found on the Forms Available to File Online page. To file these forms online, individuals must first create a USCIS online account at myaccount.uscis.gov. This free account allows them to: Submit their forms; Pay their fees; Track the status of their case; Communicate with USCIS through a secure inbox; and Respond to Requests for Evidence. USCIS continues to accept the latest paper version of these forms by mail. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn. https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/f-1-students-seeking-optional-practical-training-can-now-file-form-i-765-online  video: https://youtu.be/g0KlqlgS2Oc 

F-1 Students Seeking Optional Practical Training Can Now File Form I-765 Online

Delia, a student of Dr. Patricia Hernandez, talks about her recent "virtual" citizenship interview

A Virtual U.S. Citizenship interview in Los Angeles!

Dr Hernandez and Teacher Jennifer give tips about The Stressed-out USCIS Officer and More Tips for Your Citizenship Interview (in English) https://youtu.be/HnpGEtdmUhI  El estrés de los oficiales de USCIS, y sugerencias que pueden facilitar su entrevista de ciudadanía https://youtu.be/5dqymNu9u1s  US Citizenship Resources for Women's History Month https://www.uscitizenpod.com/ 

The Stressed-out USCIS Officer and More Tips for Your Citizenship Interview

You will hear the announcement in English, Español, 廣東話,普通話, Tiếng việt 2021-02-22 USCIS Reverts to the 2008 Version of the Naturalization Civics Test https://youtu.be/BbgG43pEpnw https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-reverts-to-the-2008-version-of-the-naturalization-civics-test USCIS Vuelve a la Versión del 2008 del Examen de Educación Cívica para Naturalización https://www.uscis.gov/es/noticias/comunicados-de-prensa/uscis-vuelve-a-la-version-del-2008-del-examen-de-educacion-civica-para-naturalizacion 美國公民及移民服務局恢復為2008年版本的入籍公民測試 您只學習100個公民問題。 新的128個問題太難了！ 我們真高興！ 謝謝美國移民局！ USCIS Hoàn nguyên về Phiên bản 2008 của Bài kiểm tra Công dân Nhập tịch Bạn chỉ học 100 câu hỏi môn công dân. 128 câu hỏi mới quá khó! Chúng tôi rất vui! Xin cảm ơn USCIS! Thank you USCIS for listening to the people!

2021-02-22 USCIS Reverts to the 2008 Version of the Naturalization Civics Test

Before we start the interview, I share some news about the 128 civics questions (check with USCIS.gov for confirmation).  Then Thao answers N-400 and 10 civics questions, plus 1 reading and dictation question.  Happy New Year, Happy New U.S. Citizen Thao Nguyen! Citizenship Resources for February http://www.uscitizenpod.com/2021/02/us-citizenship-resources-for-february.html  Biden Is Planning To Scrap Trump's Version Of The Citizenship Test That Critics Said Was More Confusing https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/hamedaleaziz/biden-us-citizenship-test-change  Biden Is Planning To Scrap Trump's Version Of The Citizenship Test! https://youtu.be/ELelLHy2ZLA   

Happy New Year, Happy New U.S. Citizen Thao Nguyen!

This is an extended N-400 Part 12 vocabulary review with Quynh.  When she doesn't understand a questions, she asks for clarification. This interview is based on N-400r Part 12 Overview Quiz (27 questions) http://goo.gl/3m3t7K 

N-400 Part 12 Vocabulary Review PLUS!

Nga Trans answers questions from the Basic Citizenship Interview, plus 10 Civics Questions, and then talks about her Citizenship interview.

Nga Tran's U.S. Citizenship Interview

USCIS: USCIS Application Support Centers Updates, Dec 29, 2020 https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USDHSCISINVITE/2020/12/29/file_attachments/1635668/ASC%20Updates.pdf  Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, USCIS has experienced delays in scheduling or rescheduling application support center (ASC) appointments to collect biometrics. Current processing times are affected by several variables including demand and capacity at individual ASCs. The information below may help you understand what to expect with your biometrics appointment. Safely Reopening ASCs USCIS temporarily suspended in-person services between March and June to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and ensure employee and applicant safety. As a result, we cancelled approximately 280,000 appointments. USCIS began a phased reopening of our ASCs in July, after we installed protective screens and incorporated proper social distancing measures across 132 sites. Since reopening, there have been sporadic and temporary ASC closures for reasons such as local stay-at-home orders, COVID-19-related cleaning and extreme weather. From July to September, ASCs were operating at below 50 percent of pre-COVID levels. By late October, we increased ASC operations to approximately 65 percent of pre-COVID levels. Current State We are working to safely maximize appointment capacity at ASCs and are also reusing previously collected biometrics to conduct background and security checks when authorized by law. Based on capacity limitations unique to each ASC, we have not yet rescheduled all cancelled appointments. USCIS is scheduling approximately 10,400 appointments per day. Approximately 1.3 million applications are awaiting biometrics appointments as of mid-December. Applicants should continue to wait for an ASC appointment notice or a Form I-797, Notice of Action, from USCIS indicating that their previously collected biometrics may be reused. Priority of ASC Appointments Biometrics appointments are scheduled based on the prioritization of benefit types, considering adjudication capacity and processing times. Within a benefit type, USCIS generally schedules appointments on a first-in, first-out basis. The wait time for appointments will vary geographically, based on capacity and varying demand at individual ASC locations. Biometrics Reuse USCIS is authorized to reuse biometrics under limited circumstances, and usually where we must verify an individual’s identity and the case is otherwise ready to adjudicate. If USCIS will reuse biometrics for a pending application, we will mail a Form I-797 notice to the applicant stating that we will be reusing the applicant’s biometrics and that the applicant is not required to appear at an ASC. Not all applications meet the requirements for biometrics reuse. Walk-ins Because of our COVID facility constraints, we cannot process walk-ins for biometrics collection except for military applicants and their family members when the principal applicant is scheduled for an appointment. Before visiting any USCIS facility, check the USCIS Office Closings webpage for the current operating status. For more information about USCIS ASCs, visit our ASC information webpage. Please use our online tools for help in managing your application and to track the status of your case. If you have questions that are not addressed in your appointment notice, you may connect with the USCIS Contact Center. USCIS Application Support Centers Updates https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USDHSCISINVITE/2020/12/29/file_attachments/1635668/ASC%20Updates.pdf  Dec 31, 2020 USCIS Application Support Centers Updates https://youtu.be/50HbACj-j74 Dec 13, 2020 What's happening with USCIS Biometrics Appointments? https://youtu.be/sqgdBXfkV_w  Dec 21, 2020 BIOMETRICS Plus USCIS TOOLS: Case Status, Case Inquiry, & Processing Times https://youtu.be/BN1sGQjx1tw  More links: USCIS Office Closings  https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-office-closings  USCIS Application Support Centers https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/preparing-for-your-biometric-services-appointment  USCIS Tools https://www.uscis.gov/tools   Check Your Case Status https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do  USCIS Contact Center. https://www.uscis.gov/contactcenter 

USCIS Application Support Centers and Biometrics Updates

Ahmed Khan is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur who is practicing for his naturalization interview this week.  We included extra civics and dictation practice.  Let's get started! 

A Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview with Ahmed Khan

Hung went to his interview in Santa Ana, CA. Before the interview began, they gave him an iPad. The officer then went to another office, took off his mask, and talked to Hung via the iPad. Hung was able to see and hear the officer clearly. Also Hung answered questions in Vietnamese in a separate video. Videos Hung Do talks about his U.S. Citizenship Interview (English) https://youtu.be/T_IaF6qTuiA Hùng Đỗ nói về cuộc Phỏng vấn Quốc tịch Hoa Kỳ của mình. https://youtu.be/yhJAVhusDGQ  

Hung Do talks about his U.S. Citizenship Interview

USCIS has revised the civics portion of the naturalization test. All applicants for naturalization with a filing date on or after Dec. 1, 2020, will be required to take the 2020 version of the civics test. For more information, visit The 2020 Version of the Civics Test page. Applicants for naturalization with a filing date before Dec. 1, 2020, are required to take the 2008 version of the civics test. With the 2020 version of the civics test, the USCIS officer will ask you to answer 20 out of the 128 civics test questions. You must answer at least 12 questions correctly to pass the 2020 version of the civics test. All questions on the test are asked orally. There are no changes to the English portion of the naturalization civics test. You must demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write, and speak basic English. Video: https://youtu.be/k6qzt1AcxEE https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/the-2020-version-of-the-civics-test/128-civics-questions-and-answers-2020-version

NEW USCIS 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2020 version)

All Saints and Day of the Dead are part of a 3-day festival that remembers the lives of those who passed before us. We honor the following list of Americans who passed before us: Jan 24 Pete Stark, member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1973–2013). Feb 23 Ahmaud Arbery, jogger, shot. Feb 24 Katherine Johnson, NASA mathematician, Mar 2 Charles Trimble, Native American advocate. Mar 13 Barbara Harris, American Episcopal prelate. Mar 13 Breonna Taylor, African-American woman and EMT. Apr 9 Phyllis Lyon, American gay rights activist. Apr 16 Jane Dee Hull, Governor of Arizona (1997–2003). May 6 Carlos Ernesto Escobar Mejía, Salvadoran-born American immigrant, COVID-19. May 25 George Floyd, American police detainee. July 17 John Lewis and C. T. Vivian, American civil rights leaders Sept 18 Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court   Citizenship Quiz for All Saints and Day of the Dead 2020 video: https://youtu.be/enB6QoyU16c pdf: http://bit.ly/2020-dotd Citizenship Quiz for All Saints and Day of the Dead 2019 listen: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-day-of-the-dead-2019.mp3  read: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-day-of-the-dead-2019.pdf watch: https://youtu.be/T7suXxNUFME Citizenship Quiz for All Saints and Day of the Dead 2018 listen: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-day-of-the-dead-2018.mp3 read: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-day-of-the-dead-2018.pdf watch: https://youtu.be/8keZs7fjIDc Citizenship Quiz for All Saints and Day of the Dead 2017 listen: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-day-of-the-dead-2017.mp3 read: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-day-of-the-dead-2017.pdf watch: https://youtu.be/ihsW_9GiO3Q Citizenship Quiz for All Saints and Day of the Dead 2016 listen: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/day-of-the-dead-2016.mp3 read: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-day-of-the-dead-2016.pdf A Citizenship Quiz for All Saints Day Podcast 2015 listen: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-all-saints.mp3 read: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-all-saints.pdf Citizenship Quiz for Day of the Dead Podcast 2015 read: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-day-of-the-dead.mp3 listen: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-day-of-the-dead.pdf Also see: I am the American Way https://youtu.be/26Y2MXPUo7s Trick or Treat! A Halloween Citizenship Interview 2019 watch: https://youtu.be/7_5ofzC8oEE   A Citizenship Quiz for Halloween  listen: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-halloween-quiz.mp3 read: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-halloween.pdf Dead Honored in Various Ways https://youtu.be/f3cRohj2vEA

Citizenship Quiz for All Saints and Day of the Dead 2020

Dr. Hernandez describes how her student found time to study for and pass her Citizenship interview. Super quick review of some Part 12 Vocabulary plus many interview tips! A mother with a newborn reports back about her Citizenship Interview video: https://youtu.be/b3bD3QxSIlE Una madre con un recién nacido informa sobre su entrevista de ciudadanía video: https://youtu.be/JYM5mJs7F-8 Examples of Dr. Hernandez's worksheets: What's happening with the USCIS Openings? Week 4 video: https://bit.ly/uscis-week-04 worksheet: https://bit.ly/ez-n400-part12 What's happening with the USCIS Openings? Week 6 video: https://bit.ly/uscis-week-06 worksheet: https://bit.ly/uscis-week-06-x U.S. Citizenship Prep Activities 1: Part 12 Vocabulary Bingo video: https://youtu.be/qOU4BGdOQ-8 To join Dr. Patricia Hernandez's class Contact: Adult Education Center (AEC) 2510 Lincoln Boulevard - Room 203 Santa Monica, California 90405 Telephone: 310-664-6222 Fax: 310-664-6220 Online Registration https://smmusd.asapconnected.com/  

A mother with a newborn reports back about her Citizenship Interview

Teacher Patricia Hernandez and Teacher Jennifer Gagliardi talk about getting organized for your U.S. Citizenship Interview. These tips are for everyone, especially those whose eligibility is based on marriage to a U.S. citizen. We also talk about recent immigration news, encourage everyone to complete their Census, and advocate for alternative funding for USCIS. UPDATED VISA INFO IN SHOW NOTES! You can watch this podcast on YouTube https://youtu.be/LrjLoMZle9A ---- USCIS responds to a judge's order to stop the increase of the citizenship fee from $725 to $1170 on October 2. CNN reported Tuesday night that a Federal judge blocked attempt to hike naturalization fees by 80%. The fee hike was supposed to go up on Oct.2. See the details at https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/29/politics/naturalization-fees-judge/index.html USCIS Response to Preliminary Injunction of Fee Rule https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-response-to-preliminary-injunction-of-fee-rule Judge Blocks Trump’s Ban on Foreign Workers https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/01/us/foreign-workers-visas-h-1b-trump.html Trump Virtually Cuts Off Refugees as He Unleashes a Tirade on Immigrants https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/01/us/politics/trump-refugees.html NPR: Hansi Lo Wang Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) is a national correspondent for NPR based in New York City. He reports on the people, power and money behind the 2020 census. https://www.npr.org/people/177498291/hansi-lo-wang   VISA AND GREEN CARD UPDATES! Here is a link to the October Visa Bulletin https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-for-october-2020.html Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/adjustment-of-status-filing-charts-from-the-visa-bulletin Visa Appointment Wait Times https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions https://www.usembassy.gov/ October Visa Bulletin: Significant Changes for #Indian and #Chinese Nationals Immigration Nerds Podcast Erickson Immigration Group's Managing Director, Hiba Anver joins. Skilled Indian workers make up roughly 75% of the employment-based green card backlog, a category that only accepts up to 7% of applicants from each country. Today, the number of total green cards issued each year is limited to 140,000. There's currently over 700,000 Indian workers waiting in a line now that is likely to stretch for decades. This discussion addresses how Octobers bulletin may effect this particular cohort, and others like them. #EB2 #India #EB3 #H1B # China #India #visa #USCIS #fees Listen to this #podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hiba-anver-october-visa-bulletin-significant-changes/id1400312981?i=1000493401079 I am not a lawyer. I cannot answer any questions about this info. Please contact: List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers | EOIR | Department of Justice https://bit.ly/cit-lawyer  

Get Organized for your U.S. Citizenship Interview!

Prepare for the USCIS Citizenship Interview. Includes practice interviews based on the USCIS N-400, recordings of the USCIS 100 History & Politics Questions, and basic tips for interviewees. This podcast is appropriate for ESL students and Citizenship students. For more info, go to uscitizenship.com. This podcast may be used for educational and private practice only, and cannot be used for any commercial purposes.

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US Citizenship Podcast

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