Career Help and Advice

Sabayon65

(29 posts) Sun Feb 26, 2012, 10:19 AM Feb 2012

Is an employer allowed to ask if you're a U.S. citizen? [View all]

I know they can't ask questions about an applicant’s race or ethnic origin (like what country are you from). I know they can't ask if you're married or single, or about orientation. You also aren't supposed to ask about religion.

At a recent interview the interviewer asked if I was an American citizen not once but three times. The job posting didn't say anything about being required to be a US citizen. If I don't get the job do I have a recourse to file a discrimination complaint?

13 replies

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Is an employer allowed to ask if you're a U.S. citizen? [View all] Sabayon65 Feb 2012 OP

I hope so. earthside Feb 2012 #1

Usually not quite is the answer dmallind Feb 2012 #2

I told them I was a citizen. Sabayon65 Feb 2012 #3

It's certainly weird yes. Would it be too personal to ask why they might have? dmallind Feb 2012 #4

I have a hyphenated/foreign sounding last name. Sabayon65 Mar 2012 #5

Hmm. If you could somehow find out if they asked others the same q dmallind Mar 2012 #8

It's not discrimination just because you didn't get the job EgaLitE Mar 2012 #6

I never said it was Sabayon65 Mar 2012 #7

Thought that was on all applications Bradical79 Mar 2012 #9

For jobs in my field, you apply directly to a manager or HR and send in a resume. Sabayon65 Mar 2012 #10

They have a right to ask if you are legally able to work in the US The empressof all Mar 2012 #11

I9 form Paulie Mar 2012 #12

They can Somewhereinbetween Apr 2012 #13