Discrimination For Immigration Status or National Origin
Many local laws and courts have been affected by COVID-19. Please use the search for legal help tool to find a legal aid organization or self help center near you for accurate information and more support.
Read about where to file your lawsuit or case. Information on jurisdiction and venue.
If you cannot afford the filing fee or other court costs, you may qualify to have these fees and costs waived by the court.
Since 1986, the immigration law requires employers to only hire workers who have authorization by the U.S. government to work in this country. The law requires employers to check (verify) the identity and work eligibility of each employee. If you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of immigration status or national origin, you may be able to file a charge against your employer. Your union or an advocate from an immigrant rights group may be able to help you with this charge. You can contact them at 1-800-255-7688 or, for TDD 1-800- 237-2515 (both numbers are free).
This section will give you general guidelines for how to best prepare yourself for court.
Whatever the reason, you have the right to represent yourself, to be your own lawyer in all cases in California.
Language discrimination occurs when a person is treated differently because of her native language or other characteristics of her language skills. If you need further legal advice or assistance, or think you may have suffered language-based discrimination, please call the Language Rights Information Line (800) 864-1664, a free service of Legal Aid at Work.
This interactive map and search engine that will help you find legal assistance near you.
To legally hire any employee in the United States, an employer must be able to verify that the applicant is eligible to work in the United States. You must prove that you are eligible to work. Employers are required to complete a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to record verification that you showed the employer documents that prove you are authorized to work in the United States.
Federal law prohibits: 1) citizenship status discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee, 2) national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee, 3) unfair documentary practices during the employment eligibility verification, Form I-9 and E-Verify, and 4) retaliation or intimidation. If you feel you have suffered one of these forms of discrimination, call US Department of Justice Worker Hotline: 1-800-255-7688.
You may file an appeal on some unfavorable decisions to the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
Basic information about living in the United States and finding services.
The Attorney General's guide on avoiding scams targeting immigrants and their families in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
Federal laws prohibit discrimination based on a person's national origin, race, color, religion, disability, sex, and familial status. Laws prohibiting national origin discrimination make it illegal to discriminate because of a person's birthplace, ancestry, culture or language. Find out more at US Department of Justice's website.
Everyone inside the U.S. has certain legal rights, regardless of your immigration status.
Field Offices handle scheduled interviews on non-asylum related applications.
Check out these frequently asked questions to find your answer about TPS for Haitians.
No one can be denied equal employment opportunity because of birthplace, ancestry, culture, linguistic characteristics common to a specific ethnic group, or accent.
Employers may not have the right to ask for your documents.