Search Site
Menu
21 Main St, Ste 352 | Hackensack, New Jersey 07601
Call For Consultation 551-245-8894

Refusal to Hire Based on Immigration Status Is Illegal Discrimination

Among the many hurdles faced by immigrants to the U.S., getting a desirable job can be one of the biggest. Companies of all sizes and across various industries sometimes exhibit prejudice against hiring foreign-born workers, even those whose employment is authorized by law. However, it is illegal for employers to discriminate against job candidates or employees based on their citizenship or immigration status. Workers who have been victims of such discrimination have the right to pursue legal action.

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) contains a strong anti-discrimination provision that makes it illegal for employers of four or more workers to treat people differently in recruiting, hiring or firing due to their immigration status or national origin. Under the INA, all of these actions by an employer could be considered unlawful:

  • Requiring a job candidate to produce more or different immigration documents than legally required for employment verification
  • Refusing to accept documents provided by an employee that appear to be genuine
  • Having a practice of only hiring U.S. citizens to do certain jobs, except for certain high-security positions
  • Denying a job to a temporary resident with a work authorization because the company doesn’t want to deal with the paperwork
  • Asking job candidates of Asian, Latino or other descent to produce work authorization papers but not asking white candidates for the same paperwork
  • Posting job advertisements seeking applications solely from people with certain immigration statuses

Job applicants and employees who believe they have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of immigration status or national origin can file a complaint with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER). The IER is required to investigate the charges within 120 days and determine whether to take legal action. In December 2022, a New Jersey recruiting company settled IER charges that it violated the INA through restrictive job postings. If the OSC doesn’t act, then the victim can pursue their own legal remedies.

Immigration and employment law are complex, so if you feel you have been discriminated against based on your immigration status or national origin, you should speak with a qualified New Jersey employment lawyer about your rights. You do not have to try to navigate the system by yourself. An attorney can assess the situation and guide you along the way.

The attorneys of Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in Hackensack represent clients throughout New Jersey who may have been victims of immigration and citizenship discrimination during the job application process, job interviews, and all other points in the hiring cycle. You can reach us by calling 551-245-8894 or contact us online.

Neil  H.  Deutsch Attorney Photo
Neil H. Deutsch
Retired

Neil H. Deutsch has been practicing law for over 35 years and is known as a skilled negotiator in employment and discrimination law. He believes in a bottom-line approach of risk analysis and cost effectiveness for his clients. "Case evaluation is something we take seriously," says Mr. Deutsch who seeks top net dollar for his…

Bruce  L.  Atkins Attorney Photo
Bruce L. Atkins
Senior Partner

Bruce L. Atkins is regarded as one of New Jersey’s premier practitioners of employment and civil litigation. He has been selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers prestigious list every year since 2005.  This honor, bestowed upon a recipient by the votes of his peers, is a powerful nod to the skill Mr. Atkins brings…

Adam  J.  Kleinfeldt Attorney Photo
Adam J. Kleinfeldt
Partner

Adam J. Kleinfeldt joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in March of 2015.  He primarily represents individuals in employment litigations such as discrimination, retaliation, and whistle blowing matters.  He has extensive experience in all phases of the litigation process. Adam has obtained significant results for some of his clients, including a $525,000 jury verdict in…

Diane  Englander  Peyser Attorney Photo
Diane Englander Peyser
Attorney

Diane Englander Peyser joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in September 2018 where she represents employees in wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment, and discrimination matters. Prior to joining Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C., Diane represented clients in all aspects of employment law on behalf of employees involving unemployment appeals, claims of sexual harassment, LGBT discrimination, disability…

Debra M. McGarvey Attorney Photo
Debra M. McGarvey
Attorney

Debra M. McGarvey joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in December 2019. She has extensive experience defending employees and employers in state and federal court in employment litigation matters. She has represented clients on various issues arising out of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), the…

AWARDS & AFFILIATIONS
Reviews and Ratings
  • google
    5.0/5.0

    I don’t usually write many reviews, but in early 2021 I was asked if I wanted to write an update to my initial review talking about my experience as a client, so I said “yeah I want to talk, but for just a minute.” After a long and voluminous l...

    Read more

    Ben R

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Diane Englander Peyser and Bruce Atkins provided extensive subject matter knowledge and guided us through very complicated legal system; resulting in positive outcome that we could not have achieved on our own. Great office atmosphere with friendly a...

    Read more

    Psiumis J

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    I am extremely satisfied with my experience with Duetsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt law firm. Diane Peyser was always attentive with any questions or concerns I had during my case. I always felt like I was her number one priority when I needed her during t...

    Read more

    megan verrico

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    I am grateful to Bruce and his firm for his professionalism and guidance. His experience and calm demeanor really helped me through a tough case. He settled it very quickly which allowed me to put it behind me and move on. I highly recommend Bruce.

    Read more

    T Cates

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Having been a litigation attorney myself, I've seen it all from the "inside". I know that far too many lawyers care only about profit and have very little interest in the actual law or their clients. So I was very careful in selecting an attorney t...

    Read more

    D A

See all reviews
Contact us

Quick Contact Form