Immigrant Workers

Many eligible immigrant workers are denied or delayed access to unemployment benefits when states fail to adopt procedures required by civil rights laws to make their UI programs accessible to workers whose first language is not English.  NELP resources, including translated worker rights fact sheets, are available to address these and other key immigrant worker policies

Why Unemployment Insurance matters to Latino workers and their families. Latino workers face barriers to unemployment benefits. State reforms can ensure that Latino families have equal access to the critical income support provide by UI.

Immigrants' Eligibility for Unemployment Compensation - Fact Sheet for Workers. This NELP fact sheet thoroughly explains eligibility requirements for immigrant workers in order to receive unemployment insurance benefits.  (April 2002)

Chinese Language Materials - New York Fact Sheets

• Were You Turned Down for Unemployment Benefits? (January 2002)
• Getting Unemployment Benefits and Keeping Them. (January 2002)
• Benefits for Unemployed Workers. (January 2002)

Spanish Language Materials - New York Fact Sheets

• Extended Unemployment Benefits in 2002 (January 2002)
• Getting Unemployment Benefits and Keeping Them. (January 2002)
• Benefits for Unemployed Workers. (January 2002)

Comments on Department of Labor’s Policy Guidance on the Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination as it Affects Persons with Limited English Proficiency. The comments focus on making the Guidance more protective of immigrants' rights and on DOL's opportunity to strengthen relationships with immigrant community groups to better protect the low-wage immigrant workers.  (March 2001)

NELP's Comments to the Office of Management and Budget on the Costs of Providing Translated Materials and Interpreters to Limited English Proficient Workers.   Comments focus on the costs to individuals, their families, communities and society at large, of denying access to Department of Labor- funded programs to workers who cannot speak English. (December 2001)

Link to other materials on Federal UI policy and civil rights

Link to NELP's comprehensive materials on immigrant workers' rights