Citizenship status - Are we obligated to tell?

[meLIBERTY2]

Do corporate recruiters have the right to ask about our citizenship status?

I feel very uncomfortable talking about it (for obvious reasons), I would prefer to just say that I authorized to work here. The company I work for now was satisfied to see that I had a unrestricted social security card.

Has anyone else run into this?

 

[LolaLi]

Hello -

I believe the only time employers are allowed to ask for your citizenship is to verify whether or not you are a US Citizen because it is a requirement for the job. This is the case for most jobs dealing with the federal government, government contractors and sensitive information [i.e. Dept. of Homeland Security, etc].

In all other cases, recruiters can only ask you whether or not you are authorized to work in the USA. It is then incumbent on the employer to verify the employee's documents - based on the documents outlined in the I-9 Form - as to whether or not the person is authorized to work in the USA.

If you need additional information, please check out the instructions in the I-9 form - Employment Eligibility Verification:
http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-9.htm

Hope this helps.

 

[copper1]

Another thing to add. It is also illegal from employers who only ask for work authorization questions form perople who may look foreign and have accent. This question must be asked by all employers to all potential emploees and also all potential employees must provide proof if employment eligibility, US citizens must provide their US birth certificate, passport etc.

http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/national-origin.html#VI

 

[copper1]

Just wanted to correct some typos.

Another thing to add. It is also illegal from employers who only ask for work authorization questions from people who may look foreign and (or) have an accent. This question must be asked by all employers to all potential employees and also all potential employees must provide proof of employment eligibility, US citizens must provide their US birth certificate, passport etc.

http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/national-origin.html#VI

 

[talie777]

Employers can ask if you are a US citizen if it is a criteria for the position. Otherwise, it is illegal to discriminate based on country of origin.

Employers, however, can ask if you would be requiring sponsorship to work in the US, or if you would be able to show proof of elibility to work in the US.

I hope this helps.

 

[nkm-oct23]

you have to tell the employer at the time of start of employment whether you are a citizen or a legal permanent resident or a non immigrant with work authorization. I-9 requires you to provide this information.