Paul was a refugee in the U.S. He applied for Unemployment Insurance Benefits but was denied benefits. Paul had provided a valid California Driver’s license and an unrestricted social security card, which satisfied the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) documents requirement for an alien to work in the U.S. Despite this proof, the California Employment Development (EDD) Department denied Paul’s application for benefits because he did not provide what EDD felt was proof of satisfactory immigration status as requested. In addition, even though Paul provided his alien registration number thereafter, EDD did not reopen his case nor check with the USCIS to see if he was authorized to work in the U.S. Paul could not read or understand the Notice from EDD denying his application. However, with the help of a refugee assistance agency, he filed a late appeal challenging the denial of Unemployment Insurance benefits.
At the hearing, although the Administrative Law Judge found that Paul had good cause to file a late appeal, the Administrative Law Judge denied benefits again because he felt that Paul lacked authorization to work in the U.S. Paul was then referred to the Asian Law Alliance. ALA filed an appeal with the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Appeal Board. Paul’s appeal was again denied. ALA, together with the Bay Area Legal Aid, filed a Writ of Mandamus in Superior Court challenging Paul’s denial of Unemployment Insurance Benefits because he clearly met the requirements of the USCIS Form I-9, which outlines the necessary documents needed for a noncitizen to work in the United States. Moreover, ALA provided proof that a refugee has employment authorization incident to his/her status.
The California Employment Development Department agreed to settle the matter by granting Paul’s retroactive unemployment insurance benefits and agreeing to a policy notice that requires EDD to re-open a case and contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to confirm whether an immigrant has work status when he/she provides the EDD with evidence of immigration status, such as an alien registration number, even if the immigrant provides this information late.
As a result of the effective representation in this matter, EDD also issued a clarification memo to all offices throughout the State of California to clarify refugee eligibility for Unemployment Insurance benefits.
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1.ALA’s persistent effort is truly amazing. I salute ALA for accepting Paul’s case based on the merit of his case, spending the necessary time/resources, and seeking cooperation from another sister agency (Bay Area Legal Aid) to win Paul’s case finally.
2.During my 17 years in US as an immigrant, I had met a disabled immigrant with an Asian name and limited communication skill, who was persistently denied similar to Paul’s case at different levels of the Administrative Law Judge and the Appeals Council Administrative Appeals Judge of Social Security Administration in her SSI case, all the rights publicly and specifically declared by the Social Security Commissioner.
3.I wonder whether ALA will have the required resouces and dedication to help that disabled lady of Asian origin based on the merit of her SSI case.
4.I am proud to be an Asian American because of ALA.
Wishing ALA many more successes in the future.
Hello, if you have specific questions, please call our office at 408-287-9710. Thank you.