employment discrimination
Is it legal for an employer to ask a potential hire about his foreign citizenships?
<p>During the job interview process, is it legal for an employer to ask an applicant what foreign citizenship(s) he holds, if any? In other words, citizenship that is not necessarily relevant to the job (i.e. the applicant has already established his legal right to work where the job is located) </p>

<p>I understand this might be necessary when working for certain companies, for example Lockheed Martin, but are there laws about exactly when it is and when it is not legal?</p>

<p>It is illegal in the US, according to <a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/practices/inquiries_citizenship.cfm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the EEOC</a>. Eventually an employee may be asked about their ability to legally work (when the accept the offer), via Form I-9 and E-Verify, but the employer cannot ask while interviewing. Form I-9 does not ask for all of your citizenships, it asks if you are a US citizen, or a permanent resident etc. and they ask your permit numbers if you are not a US citizen. Thee is a generic caveat that is allowed, so that potential employees will know that they may need to provide papers:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to
  verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to
  complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon
  hire.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>One exception is the <a href="https://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">federal security clearance form</a> where you have to confess to all of your present and past citizenships.</p>
