Effect of 2-year unemployment on naturalization

[gino]

Hi, Everyone,

I got my green through asylum, not employment. If someone is unemployed for about two years of the 5-year residence requirement, would that have any effect on naturalization? Would the immigration officer ask about the reason behind unemployed for such along time?

Thanks,
Gino

 

[nelsona]

Permanent residents are not obliged to work in order to get citizenship.

Only employment-sponsored immigrants need to work, and that only for a short tim after GC is awarded.

 

[Jackolantern]

I got my green through asylum, not employment. If someone is unemployed for about two years of the 5-year residence requirement, would that have any effect on naturalization? Would the immigration officer ask about the reason behind unemployed for such along time?

In your case there is no requirement for you to ever have been employed. But you should be able to show how you supported yourself financially during those two years, whether it is from savings, a spouse's income, disability insurance, etc., or they are likely to suspect that your finances during those two years came from criminal activity or working "off the books".