Public Comments

MIRC Written Testimony on Michigan House Oversight Committee Hearing on Unemployment Insurance Agency

August 17, 2021

MIRC's written testimony on issues surrounding the Unemployment Insurance Agency and the issues. MIRC's focus is on the intersection between immigration status and UI eligibility. Specifically, section 27(k) of the Act which is the "permanently residing under color of law" (PRUCOL) should allow a lot of the clients that we represent to get their UI benefits but the agency wrongly denies those benefits. The agency claims that the UI benefits are denied because Employment Authorization Card (EAD)'s may have expired, however, an EAD is not a statutory requirement for UI eligibility. 

Identifying Barriers Across U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Benefits and Services; Request for Public Input (RIN 1615-ZB87, USCIS-2021-0004)

May 19, 2021

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sought comments from the public on how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can reduce administrative and other barriers and burdens within its regulations and policies, including those that prevent foreign citizens from easily obtaining access to immigration services and benefits. This effort will help DHS identify process improvements for USCIS, with benefits for state, local, and tribal governments, for businesses (including small businesses and startups), for educational institutions of all kinds, for nonprofits, and for individuals. MIRC staff provided DHS guidance and comment on how to reduce administrative and other barriers and burdens within it’s regulations and policies.