IER Naturalization Flyer (English)

Worker Fact Sheet
Protect Your Right to Work
A Message to New Citizens from the U.S. Department of Justice
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) prohibits employers from
discriminating against U.S. citizens and other work-authorized individuals
based on citizenship status or national origin. The Immigrant and Employee
Rights Section (IER) of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division
enforces this law, found at 8 U.S.C. § 1324b. IER investigates this type of
employment discrimination, may sue employers that discriminate, and
educates the public about the law.
You can call IER at 1-800-255-7688 if you have questions about your employment
rights or believe you’ve been discriminated against based on your citizenship
status or national origin.
Citizenship Status Discrimination
Generally, an employer can’t treat you differently because of your citizenship status.
Citizenship status includes a person’s past and current immigration status.
National Origin Discrimination
Generally, an employer can’t treat you differently because of your place of birth, native
language, accent, or other national origin indicator.
Unfair Documentary Practices
An employer can’t, because of your citizenship status or national origin, demand more
or different documents than necessary, request specific documents, or reject
reasonably genuine-looking documents when verifying your permission to work in the
United States, such as during the Form I-9 or E-Verify process.
Retaliation
An employer can’t retaliate against anyone who files a discrimination complaint with IER,
cooperates with an IER investigation, or asserts rights under the law that IER enforces.
Immigrant and Employee Rights Section
justice.gov/ier

E-Verify
An employer can’t treat you differently because of your citizenship status or national
origin when using E-Verify to check your permission to work. Discrimination in the
E‑Verify process might violate the law IER enforces and E-Verify rules.
Keeping Your Records Up to Date
Updating your citizenship status information with the Social Security Administration will
help ensure your records are accurate. If you requested an updated Social Security
card when you applied to become a U.S. citizen, the Social Security Administration will
update the citizenship status information in your records and mail you a new Social
Security card. If you didn’t request an updated Social Security card when you applied to
become a U.S. citizen, you can go to the Social Security Administration with your
naturalization certificate to update your records. Wait at least 10 days after your
naturalization ceremony before you visit the Social Security Administration, to allow
time for that agency to update its records.
Revised December 2024
Contact
• 	Call the Worker Hotline at
• 	For people with hearing disabilities 1-800-237-2515
• 	Contact our office if you believe an employer has treated you unfairly or
if you would like information about your rights.
• 	Calls can be anonymous and free language services are available.
• 	To learn more, visit
1-800-255-7688
justice.gov/ier
Civil Rights Division, Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER)
Social Security Administration
•
• 	For people with hearing disabilities 1-800-325-0778
• 	To find the address of the nearest SSA office, visit 	ssa.gov
1-800-772-1213