7month GC/Involuntary Termination/Unemployment Benefits

[zolcat]

Hello

I got my GC in May 2005. My services were terminated last Friday as part of a post-merger reduction in workforce. My overall time with the company has been around 5 years 4 months. I have been in the United States since Jan 1999, just over 7 years. Never been out of status or work before. Worked in Massachusetts throughout.

I am trying to find out if applying for Unemployment benefits would jeopardize our chances of citizenship four/five years in the future. Can anyone share experiences, and/or point to what/where I can do further research on this?

Thank you.

 

[catch_22_4_GC]

Employment termination by the employer is the safest thing to happen post-GC. It proves beyond doubt that you always had the intent and indeed were working for the sponsoring employer and that the termination was only at the instance of your employer due to changed business circumstances. This would not affect your citizenship app later on at all. In fact, it is more safer to be terminated than resign.

As far as unemployment benefits, you certainly are eligible. I have a friend of mine who was in a similar boat in Silicon Valley. He filed and received his unemployment benefits post-GC with no issues.