Legal Question in Employment Law in Virginia

Unemployment benefits Eligibility and Green Card

I have just been approved for my green card on Feb 6. I was called for an interview, since a document was missing, and recieved my green card approval letter. I was told that my green card would be sent in 2 - 3 weeks by mail. Last month, I was laid off from my well paying white collar job with 20 other colleagues. I worked with the company for almost one year. Everyone else who was laid off, will be applying for unemployment benefits. They have advised me to apply too. Am I eligible to apply on my visa? Also, will their be any effect on my application for citizenship in 5 years, if I apply for unemployment now? I am worried and confused, but we could defintely use the money that the unemployment benefits would bring.


Asked on 2/12/09, 11:36 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Unemployment benefits Eligibility and Green Card

If you were eligible to work in the U.S. under whatever kind of (nonimmigrant) visa which you had, then you should also be eligible to apply for and receive unemployment benefits(assuming that you were not terminated for cause).

And, whether or not you legitimately receive unemployment benefits should have no effect whatsoever on any application which you may file for U.S. citizenship five or more years from now.

Read more
Answered on 2/12/09, 5:05 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Labor and Employment Law questions and answers in Virginia