Preguntas y Respuestas Comunes

Pregunta 1: ¿Puedo solicitar seguro de desempleo si soy indocumentado?
Para que un trabajador pueda solicitar el seguro de desempleo, un trabajador debe ser "capaz de trabajar" y estar "disponible para trabajar" para la semana en que se pide el desempleo.[1] El Departamento de Desarrollo de Empleo de California ha determinado que las personas indocumentadas no son legalmente elegibles para trabajar y, por lo tanto, no están "disponibles para trabajar." Como resultado, un trabajador indocumentado que está trabajando sin un permiso de trabajo válido no es elegible para solicitar o recibir seguro de desempleo.

Pregunta 2: ¿Puedo solicitar seguro de desempleo si tengo un permiso de trabajo válido?
Si. Un trabajador que tiene un permiso de trabajo válido y que puede y está disponible para trabajar puede solicitar el seguro de desempleo. Un permiso de trabajo válido es aquel que se adquirió legalmente y no caducó.

Pregunta 3: ¿Puedo solicitar un seguro de desempleo si mi permiso de trabajo ha expirado pero mi solicitud de permiso de trabajo está actualmente pendiente con USCIS?
Depende. El 17 de enero del 2017, el USCIS comenzó a extender automáticamente ciertos permisos de trabajo para personas cuyos permisos de trabajo expiraban y tenían una solicitud de permiso de trabajo pendiente con el USCIS. Una persona obtiene una extensión automática si:

• Presentó su solicitud de renovación de permiso de trabajo antes de que expirara su permiso de trabajo actual; y
• Su permiso de trabajo está bajo una categoría que es elegible para una extensión automática. Estas categorías son A03, A05, A07, A08, A10, C08, C09, C10, C16, C19, C20, C22, C24, C31[2] y
• La categoría en su permiso de trabajo actual coincide con la categoría de "clase solicitada" en el aviso de recibo del permiso de trabajo ("Aviso de Acción").[3]

Si se cumplen todos estos requisitos, la extensión otorgada es por 180 días y comienza en la fecha de vencimiento del permiso de trabajo y continúa por180 días a menos que se rechace la solicitud de renovación. [4] Esto significa que si su permiso de trabajo expiró el 20 de marzo del 2020, por ejemplo, y ha cumplido con todos los requisitos para una extensión automática, la fecha de vencimiento de su permiso de trabajo se extenderá automáticamente hasta el 16 de septiembre del 2020.

Pregunta 4: Si no sé cómo responder una pregunta sobre la solicitud de desempleo, ¿debo adivinar o elegir la respuesta que considero más precisa?
¡NO! Siempre les digo a mis clientes que soliciten ayuda cuando desconocen cómo responder preguntas relacionadas con un beneficio o solicitud del gobierno. Los errores pueden ser costosos y perjudiciales para usted. Si tiene alguna duda o no está segura/o de cómo responder una pregunta en su solicitud de desempleo, llame o envíe un correo electrónico a su oficina local de desempleo o hable con su abogada/o

Pregunta 5: ¿Dónde puedo encontrar la solicitud de desempleo?
Puede ir a
https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/File_an_Unemployment_Insurance_Claim.htm para presentar un reclamo. Hay un enlace en la parte superior que le permite cambiar el idioma de inglés a español y viceversa. Esta página también tiene enlaces a recursos adicionales como preguntas frecuentes, formularios y publicaciones.


[1] Ver Unemp . En s. Código Sección 1253 (c)
[2] Ver https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/automatic-employment-authorization-document-ead-extension
[3] Ver https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/42-automatic-extensions-employment-authorization-documents-eads-certain-circumstances
[4] Ver i d .

Common Questions and Answers
​
Question 1: Can I apply for unemployment insurance if I am undocumented?
In order for a worker to collect unemployment insurance, a worker must be both “able to work” and “available for work” for the week unemployment is sought.[1] The California Employment Development Department has determined that persons who are undocumented are not legally eligible to work and therefore not “available to work.” As a result, an undocumented worker who is working without a valid unexpired work permit is not eligible to apply for or receive unemployment insurance.

Question 2: Can I apply for unemployment insurance if I have a valid work permit?
Yes. A worker who has a valid work permit and who is both able and available for work can apply for unemployment insurance. A valid work permit is one that was acquired lawfully and is not expired.

Question 3: Can I apply for unemployment insurance if my work permit has expired but my work permit application is currently pending with USCIS?
It depends. On January 17, 2017, USCIS began automatically extending certain work permits for persons whose work permits were expiring and had a work permit application pending with USCIS. A person gets an automatic extension if they:

• Filed their renewal work permit application before their current work permit expired; and
• Their work permit is under a category that is eligible for an automatic extension. These categories are A03, A05, A07, A08, A10, C08, C09, C10, C16, C19, C20, C22, C24, C31[2] and
• The category on their current work permit matches the “class requested” category on the work permit receipt notice (“Notice or Action”).[3]

If all these requirements are met, the extension granted is for 180 days and it begins on the date the work permit expires and continues for up to 180 days unless the renewal application is denied.[4] This means that if your work permit expired on March 20, 2020, for example, and you have met all the requirements for an automatic extension, your work permit expiration date is automatically extended until September 16, 2020.

Question 4: If I don’t know how to answer a question on the unemployment application should I guess or pick the answer that I feel is the most accurate?
NO! I always tell my clients to ask for help whenever they are unaware of how to answer questions related to a government benefit or application. Mistakes can be costly and damaging for you. If you have any doubt or are unsure of how to answer a question on your unemployment application call or email your local unemployment office or speak to your attorney.
 
Question 5: Where can I find the unemployment application?
You can go to https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/File_an_Unemployment_Insurance_Claim.htm to file a claim. There is a link at the top that allows you to switch the language from English to Spanish and vice versa. This page also has links to additional resources such as frequently asked questions, forms and publications.


[1] See Unemp. Ins. Code Section 1253(c)

[2] See https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/automatic-employment-authorization-document-ead-extension

[3] See https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/42-automatic-extensions-employment-authorization-documents-eads-certain-circumstances

[4] See id.

​Background checks are extremely important because they help identify potential problems in your case and can help your attorney explain with precise detail any arrest, apprehension or problem that appears in your records.
 
There are a wide variety of background checks available and each can provide different information about your case. Some background checks will only provide your criminal history, while others might only provide information about your apprehensions at the border. It is very important to get all the necessary background checks in order to get a complete picture of your case.
 
Below are some of the most common background checks with information about their general purpose:
 
USCIS FOIA
With a USCIS FOIA, USCIS may release your entire Alien File. Your alien file will often have copies of all applications that you have filed with USCIS and can also reveal details about removal proceedings and criminal arrests.
 
OBIM FOIA
An OBIM FOIA will reveal information about any time that you have been printed by the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of State. A person is often printed after being apprehended by CBP or ICE, or after submitting an application for benefits like a tourist visa, green card or naturalization.
 
CBP FOIA
Similar to an OBIM FOIA, a CBP FOIA will reveal information about apprehensions or stops you have had at the border. This type of FOIA usually contains more detailed information such as whether you received an expedited removal order at the border.
 
FBI Report
An FBI report is helpful for revealing AKAs, criminal arrests and convictions and some immigration apprehensions at the border or by DHS.
 
State DOJ Reports
State DOJ reports like the CalDOJ for California can contain more accurate and detailed information about an arrest or conviction and are often required by USCIS and the Immigration Courts before proceeding on an application.
 
EOIR FOIA
An EOIR FOIA will allow you to obtain the full audio recording of your removal proceedings and a copy of your entire immigration court file.
 
All of these records are useful, but just getting your records is of no use to you, if you or the person who requested them doesn’t know how to decipher or analyze them. Your background checks must be reviewed by a qualified attorney who can accurately read your reports and provide you with relevant advice for your case.
 
Our office has been successfully obtaining background checks for our clients for many years and in many cases the information provided by these checks have been crucial to the case. Call us at 714-624-5632 to determine what background checks are needed in your case.