Immigration and naturalization issues: Can one be naturalized with a criminal record? How to receive unemployment benefits

Immigration and naturalization issues: Can one be naturalized with a criminal record? How to receive unemployment benefits (Alberta Times) 1. My cousin was caught working in a massage parlor in New York two years ago...

(Alberta Times)

1. My cousin was arrested two years ago while working in a massage parlor in New York. She pleaded guilty to prostitution without knowing the true consequences (there was no evidence to charge her with this crime at the time) and left a criminal record. Now she wants to apply for citizenship. Is there any way to reverse the case and expunge her criminal record? How can we handle such a matter and get naturalized? Answer: Permanent residents with a history of committing serious crimes are generally not allowed to naturalize. Commonly cited felonies in immigration laws include terrorism, murder, rape, drug trafficking, war criminals, etc. If the crime your cousin committed is not listed as a felony under immigration law, she may still have a chance to naturalize. However, she must show that she has not committed another crime for at least five years between the time of the crime and the time of application for naturalization. If it is a crime of prostitution, this also involves another provision of the immigration law that "those with irregular moral conduct" cannot be naturalized. Your cousin should first show her lawyer the closing slip of the year. Maybe the situation is not as serious as you said. If the situation is true, we suggest that she waits for a few more years and waits for five years before submitting the naturalization application. If she wants to try, prepare some documents to prove that she has completely repented. If you are a good person, a good mother, and a contributor to the community, you will have a better chance.

2. I was born in 1950 and have been working full-time for 16 years. Unfortunately, I have been laid off due to the company's closure. Can I apply for early retirement when I reach the age of 62? What is the difference between applying for early retirement and applying at full retirement age? I have a house and a car. Am I eligible for SSI and food stamps? Do I have to wait until my full retirement age to apply for Medicare? Answer If you have accumulated 40 or more working quarter points (at least 10 years of service), you may be able to apply for your Social Security retirement benefits, but you will receive a permanently reduced pension. When you apply, the Social Security Administration will tell you the amount you deserve. If you still receive your unemployment benefits at that time, it may also be reduced when you need to apply. 1213, and ask for a free interpreter. You can only receive your full Social Security pension at Full Retirement Age (FRA). A person's full retirement age is based on his/her birth year. Since you were born in 1950, your full retirement age is 66. If you retire early, you can only receive a reduced pension. In addition, if you apply for early retirement and continue to work and your working income exceeds the prescribed annual limit, your Social Security pension may be reduced until you reach your full retirement age. However, if you work at or after your full retirement age, any income will not affect the amount of your pension. If you are a U.S. citizen and your income and assets meet the prescribed limit when you reach the age of 65, you can try to apply for SSI (Social Security Assistance). Non-citizens may also be eligible to apply, but there will be restrictions. If the house and car you own are used for self-occupation and personal use, they will not be counted as part of your assets. Eligible seniors need to apply for Medicare (Federal Medical Insurance) from the Social Security Administration during the "Initial Enrollment Period" to avoid penalties for delaying enrollment. The "first participation period" refers to 3 months before the age of 65 to 3 months after the age of 65 (a total of 7 months). However, if you apply for early retirement, you will automatically receive your Medicare card when you approach age 65 without having to apply in person. If you have 40 or more working quarter points, you can enjoy Part A (hospital insurance) for free, but you still need to pay the monthly fee for Part B (medical insurance). The Part B monthly fee is usually deducted from your monthly Social Security pension. In 2011, the standard PartB monthly fee was 115.40 yuan. This amount may be adjusted annually.