Will Unemployment benefit affect change of status

[DannyMc 0]

HI There,

I have my 2 year green card and I am now working. My wife however has recently lost her job but is scared to claim unemployment benefit as she thinks this may affect my green card statusd when I go to remove the resticions in a years time.

I don' think it's an issue, but just wanted to confirm in case we are makinbg a mistake and when the interview comes up after the 2 year period this becomes an issue.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[rebeccajo 14]

Tell your wife to go get her unemployment benefits.

Unemployment is not a means-tested benefit. Your adjustment would not be affected if YOU drew it. It's called 'unemployment insurance' because that's what it is - employers pay a quarterly premium to the State to cover any workers they let go.

Go get that money!

[payxibka 10,045]

in addition, a USC can file for a "means tested" benefit... it is only when the alien applies and receives a federal "means tested" benefits could something come into play...

Edited November 9, 2009 by payxibka

[Tom_Jim 40]

My situation is somewhat similar; but also different. I'm in the I-751 portion of my greencard, however, I'm divorced from my wife. My lawyer has advised me not to avail of unemployment payments just to be "on the safe side", since the USCIS will apparently take a "unfavorable" position for my case.

[payxibka 10,045]

If it were me I might avail myself to another opinion on this....

[J&K 0]

I just got approved for my 10-year card.

During the process I was partially laid off and applied for unemployment.

It doesn't have anything to do with your ROC.

You pay into the INSURANCE of having Unemployment benefits so that if you find yourself out of work for no fault of your own you can claim them. USCIS won't care if you are collecting.