N400 & Unemployment benefits

G

greyhairduetogc

Registered Users (C)
Hi,

I sent my N-400 on June 1st 2008 and got fingerprinted on July 8th and my DO is Newark NJ.
I lost my job(principal engineer in a Information technology firm) due to major downsizing in my company last week.

- If I claim unemployment benefits will it affect my Naturalization process?
- If at the time of interview if I have still not found a job and if I am still claiming(say 4 months) unemployment benefits will it be a negative thing?
- If I change my career path totally from IT to something else like starting a small business(non IT), will it be questioned at the interview since my employment based green card was based on IT?
- Before I start my own small business(non IT) I am thinking of working for someone in the same line of business to learn about the new field. I might/might-not be paid a salary for it. If my N-400 interview is sceduled during this period will I be questioned at the interview since my employment based green card was based on IT?
- Once naturalized I plan to file for green card for my Wife based on marriage category. Will any of the above have a negative affect during her green card process?

Your thoughts and feedback would help in my decision making.

Thanks
Sudhir
 
If you didn't lie in your GC process, unemployment later on will not affect you.

You can be unemployed at the time of interview, should not be a problem. Just state the facts clearly during the interview when they come to the question of employment( in the interview, this part is almost always asked because they go through the N400 application to make sure what you wrote is what you state). Don't try to lie or hide facts. Even if you sail through the interview, they can revoke your citizenship if they find out & prove that you lied.

Sponsering your wife later on maybe a problem because you should have means to support her once you make her a PR. This is where having a job or self-employment maybe required.

PS: I am not a lawyer, use this advice at your own risk.
 
My comments are inserted below.

greyhairduetogc said:
Hi,

I sent my N-400 on June 1st 2008 and got fingerprinted on July 8th and my DO is Newark NJ.
I lost my job(principal engineer in a Information technology firm) due to major downsizing in my company last week.

- If I claim unemployment benefits will it affect my Naturalization process?
--> This has been discussed on here several times and the consensus was that unemployment benefits do not affect naturalization applicants as they are "earned" by the employee and are a benefit.

- If at the time of interview if I have still not found a job and if I am still claiming(say 4 months) unemployment benefits will it be a negative thing?

- If I change my career path totally from IT to something else like starting a small business(non IT), will it be questioned at the interview since my employment based green card was based on IT?
--> No - I don't think USCIS expects you to be with the same employer or the same field for the rest of your life.

- Before I start my own small business(non IT) I am thinking of working for someone in the same line of business to learn about the new field. I might/might-not be paid a salary for it. If my N-400 interview is sceduled during this period will I be questioned at the interview since my employment based green card was based on IT?
--> Even if you are, answer it honestly - that you are trying to get experience and the only way to do this in the new field is via volunteering. If you got laid-off, you didn't instigate the termination therefore I cannot see how you can be held responsible in any way. Again, no one expects you to be in the same field - this is your life and your choice.

- Once naturalized I plan to file for green card for my Wife based on marriage category. Will any of the above have a negative affect during her green card process?
--> It depends on when you are filing for your wife. During the petition you must prove that you are able to support your wife and must show proof of funds equivalent to 125% of the poverty line. They ask for W2s and IRS tax transcripts as part of the affidavit of support application. I am not sure if unemployment benefits are considered as sustainable source of income so you may have a bit of trouble from that perspective.

Your thoughts and feedback would help in my decision making.

Thanks
Sudhir
Click to expand...
 
Do not worry

Sudhir,

Sorry to hear about your job loss. However it will not affect your Naturalization in any way.

All other experts have answered your questions already.

I would just like to add that recently the unemployment benefits were extended by 3 months. So they are aware of the job market situation and I do not think they will grill you much more on that.

Also they care about your employment a few years after your GC to make sure you did not obtain it fradulently. You are obviously not expected to be with the same employer and in same line for the rest of your life.

Relax and all the best (in your new venture also:)
 
Part time work along with Full time

Thanks for your replies.

A followup question regarding employment.

I worked part time for a friends company on need basis(weekends) and was paid on W2 during the last 2yrs. I also held a fulltime job during the same time.

In the N400 application I did not mention the part time work since it was part time and no specific period. Also the wages earned from the part time work was approximately 10% of the my annual fulltime job during the calendar year.

- Should I mention this during the interview?
- Also it was not clear in the application if we need to mention parttime work which is sporadic in nature. Should I have entered each duration of the part time work?

I have paid taxes on all the earnings earned.

Sudhir
 
Sudhir, not to worry. The employment history is merely to develop what you were doing as it helps in the background check. There is no need to even mention that occasional part time work unless you are asked specifically about it. I might have a full time job but then work in the mall during Christmas -- yes, even if you make $200 you will still get a W-2, but it does not really count as a job.

Regarding your previous question, changing your profession now is not a problem. You have been a GC holder for 5 years now and can change professions, though, it will be great if you did not before naturalization.
 
no, it is not an issue at all because you already are a green card holder for 5 years. they won't ask you about employment because you have been lived for 5 years. You will be fine. Many people, who have been laid off or lost their job or claimed unemployment benefits, passed the interview and became US citizens.

For sponsoring your wife, you would need to find a job first because it requires financial support for your wife. otherwise, your wife's petition will be denied.
 
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