GA Dept. of Labor Attorney Responds to Questions From State Rep Jeff Jones Regarding illegal Aliens with DACA Receiving Unemployment Benefits GDOL
DOL response to Rep Jeff Jones letter of July 24, 2020
On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 1:20 PM Timothy Mitchell wrote:
Representative Jones:
Your inquiry was forwarded to me for a response. In that regard, please find below in red the responses to your questions.
Please advise if you require additional information.
Tim Mitchell
General Counsel
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DOL response in bold.
(Q) Does the information from GBPI coincide with policy and practice in your office – does your office accept unexpired EADs from DACA recipients as proof of lawful presence?
If the claimant has a valid work permit, appropriate government issued identification and has sufficient wages in the base period, then the claimant will have a valid claim with eligibility to be determined.
(Q) Does your office accept, process and/or qualify UI applications from non-citizens with DACA?
To have a valid claim, all non-citizen claimant must have a valid work permit or appropriate government issued identification
(Q) I am aware that each EAD contains a status code from USCIS. Does your office use that code in inspecting and processing applications from non-citizens?
No
(Q) Please tell me the code or response from the USCIS-operated SAVE verification program to the query from your office when a non-citizen with DACA makes an application for unemployment benefits if DACA status is known or noted during processing. I am aware that other issuing agencies receive a response of “employment authorized” from SAVE when making immigration status queries for DACA recipients.
We do the same as other state agencies