Unauthorized work

[nix1]

Hi,

Many years ago I made a mistake of working for about 2 months over the summer when I did not have a work authorization. I actually gave my SSN and also filed for tax return including that income. So far so good in the US.

I am filling out CIC forms and I need to provide my personal history (dates, activity, place etc). I also need to provide addresses on the next section. I am confused whether I should mention the unauthorized work and place where I worked and lived. I am thinking about giving the address and dates, but mentioning it as summer vacation. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NewYorker]

You should disclose everything, where you work and why. Do not hide anything from CIC, telling them the truth will not complicate your case.

 

[ghiaskhan]

Remember each work you declare should be backed with evidence.

 

[maroraza]

correct, if you have evidence then mention other wise dont,

 

[ghiaskhan]

When you do unauthorised jobs, your employer would not give you a letter, a payslip or anyother document that may establish a relationship of an employee and employer. I am sure an employer would prefer saving his own skin than providing you an evidece for his unlawful activity.

Simmilarly if you were an uauthorised self employed, you will prefer that you are not haunted by the taxman or other law enforcing agencies. So do whats safe for you

 

[nix1]

Thanks everybody. I am not claiming this work to get some points. Do I still need to prove that I worked there? I am going through Alberta PNP.

I actually have few pay stubs from this job as I gave them my SSN and they did not know I did not have work authorization. There was nothing written on my SSN, so it was easy. But I knew I was on student visa and I was not supposed to work off campus without authorization. This was a labor job and I was not going to mention it anywhere, but was worried what if it shows up when they do my background check.

Sounds like best to not mention it, but what if the address I lived (it was a summer job in a different state than my regular state where my university was) shows up on background check? Thanks.

 

[Leon]

Since your job was documented, not a black market work for cash kind of thing, you are better off disclosing it because you never know if it might pop up on some kind of check. People have been successful immigrating to Canada even when out of status in the US so having a 2 month summer job years ago without the proper work permit should not be a big deal. Besides, how do you know that you didn't have work authorization for this job? If you filed taxes and nobody came after you, maybe you did.

 

[nix1]

Thanks Leon. I like you your advice and I am going to disclose it, but I have one more concern if I do that.

I am on the very early stage of my US greencard process (waiting for labor certificate) and I am not planning on disclosing my unauthorized work to them as I do not think that a good idea.

Don't you think if I disclosed that information to Canadian Immigration and not to the US immigration, they might cross check with each other some point and put me in trouble. Thanks.

 

[Leon]

US and Canada immigration don't share information as far as I know. I know the border control share information on comings and goings of people though.

Don't you think that US immigration will find out about your job too if they look at your tax records?

 

[PMM]

Hi

US and Canada immigration don't share information as far as I know. I know the border control share information on comings and goings of people though.

Don't you think that US immigration will find out about your job too if they look at your tax records?

Actually they do, if one side requests it.

PMM

 

[ghiaskhan]

I know Australia,Canada,USA and UK do share information particularly after 9/11.Other EU countries also have simmilar arrangments. So be safe than sorry.

 

[nix1]

So be safe than sorry.

Do I tell them or don't tell them?

Do I tell both the Canadians and Americans or just to the Canadians only? Some point I will be filling some forms for the US Immigration process and I am sure I have to provide this information somewhere.

I was going through the paperworks I did for one of my past employers and found out that I had provided the address of the city where this unauthorized work took place to them for my background check, but there was no question on what I was doing there. So, I guess my address of this place has been recorded somewhere already but them may not have an idea what I was doing. But as I said I filed for tax return, the US Govt can easily find out if they want (as Leon said). I am glad that they are not that strict.

 

[ghiaskhan]

It is tricky, so do what is right in your openion. Weigh all the views and adopt a course wherby you can sail smooth

 

[nix1]

Thanks Guys. I decided to not mention my unauthorized work, but going to give the address where I lived during that time and write I was on a long vacation (2 and 1/2 months).

I also learned that there will be no problem with the US Immigration people as I do not have to go back 10 years to write what I was doing. I heard that all they want is 3 or max 5 years work history and probably tax returns.This thing took place 10 years ago.

 

[ghiaskhan]

You have at last decided, good luck