N400 with Unemploument benefits and International travel: am I in trouble?

P

penso

Registered Users (C)
HI

I filed this week my N400 based on a 5 years rule;

I am a freelance book writer and a web market engeneer;
In 2005 I was let go from my job; I filed for unemployment and I traveld to Asia working part time as writer and looking for a new job and find new places to write about in my book;
the trip lasted 5 months,

I attached my taxes for the last 5 years to the application:
will CIS look at the taxes for 2005 and look at the unemployment benefits collected together with my international travel?

AM I in trouble when I show up for the interview? I am concerned

pls advice

thank you
 
While you were unemployed, were you required to prove to your state employment agency that you were actively looking for employment? Also, did you report the income you made in Asia to the state employment agency and report it on your 2005 tax return (if applicable) ?
 
I was not required to show evidence of job applications,

and as per income, I haven't made any income on my trip, I was researching and interviewing and dong un paid free lancing work,

Should I worry?
 
penso said:
I was not required to show evidence of job applications,

and as per income, I haven't made any income on my trip, I was researching and interviewing and dong un paid free lancing work,

Should I worry?
Click to expand...
You may not have been required to actually show evidence of job applications, but I would be very surprised if there wasn't a requirement that you were actively seeking work (typically defined as applying for a certain number of jobs each week) and available to work (which somewhat precludes being out of the country for an extended period).

Claiming unemployment benefit itself does not affect eligibility for citizenship, as doesn't being out of the country as long as you still meet the physical presence and continuous residency requirements. However, if an eagle-eyed IO puts two and two together they make conclude that your unemployment claim was rather "fishy". What, if anything, they could or would do about this is another matter though.
 
penso said:
I was not required to show evidence of job applications,

and as per income, I haven't made any income on my trip, I was researching and interviewing and dong un paid free lancing work,

Should I worry?
Click to expand...
Weren't you required to answer a series of weekly job hunting questions as part of requirement to collect unemployment, or weren't you required to disclose that you were actively seeking and were available to work?
 
penso said:
HI

I filed this week my N400 based on a 5 years rule;

I am a freelance book writer and a web market engeneer;
In 2005 I was let go from my job; I filed for unemployment and I traveld to Asia working part time as writer and looking for a new job and find new places to write about in my book;
the trip lasted 5 months,

I attached my taxes for the last 5 years to the application:
will CIS look at the taxes for 2005 and look at the unemployment benefits collected together with my international travel?

AM I in trouble when I show up for the interview? I am concerned

pls advice

thank you
Click to expand...

Why did you have to attack your last five year taxes? In you situation, all you needed was to fill out the application, and send it...collecting legitimate unemployment has nothing to with the naturalization process. Also, you don't need to do more that you need..some times it can put you in unnecesarry trouble....

Overall, I don't see any issues in your case....just be ready for the interview and answer their questions as you put them in your application...good luck
 
Bobsmyth said:
Weren't you required to answer a series of weekly job hunting questions as part of requirement to collect unemployment, or weren't you required to disclose that you were actively seeking and were available to work?
Click to expand...

yes I was sent questionnaires and I replied back answering all the questions,

I was actually available to work as I work online but no one was able to give me a job,
 
faysal said:
Why did you have to attack your last five year taxes? In you situation, all you needed was to fill out the application, and send it...collecting legitimate unemployment has nothing to with the naturalization process. Also, you don't need to do more that you need..some times it can put you in unnecesarry trouble....

Overall, I don't see any issues in your case....just be ready for the interview and answer their questions as you put them in your application...good luck
Click to expand...

I Think you HAVE TO attach the taxes for the last 5 Years MANDATORY, or not???
 
Bobsmyth said:
Weren't you required to answer a series of weekly job hunting questions as part of requirement to collect unemployment, or weren't you required to disclose that you were actively seeking and were available to work?
Click to expand...

questionnaires were sent not weekly but only once, for the period I was out I had no questionnaires in the mail
 
Were you collecting unemployment while you were abroad??? I do not think you can collect dole if you are in a foreign country. That may be problematic to explain. Otherwise i see no problem in your case.
 
penso said:
yes I was sent questionnaires and I replied back answering all the questions,

I was actually available to work as I work online but no one was able to give me a job,
Click to expand...

Then the question is does "Are you available to work" mean you must be physically present in the US (and not just online) to be eligible for unemployment benefits.?
Also, whether the IO will dig so deep into your state unemployment laws to determine if you were eligible to receive unemployment benefits in the first place.

Unemployment eligibility requirements typically make no mention of having to be physically present in the US. However, being outside of the US during any claim period may be interpreted as not being available to work (even if you work online).
 
Hello -
I have somewhat related question. Although still married (separated in 2005, not divorced) I just applied for citizenship in April 2010. I have my interview on Sept. 8th in Garden City, NY.
I've just graduated from college in January 2010 (with the help of school loans and scholarships). I have been filing taxes with 0 income in the past 4 years.
I'm a freelance designer currently not bringing any money in. I've been able to get by with odd jobs and with help from my siblings. Reading the threads about employment/etc. therefore worries me.
Can someone help me suggest what to bring to my interview? Or if there's anything I should do to improve my chances of passing the interview.

Thanks.
 
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