I Think I Faced Discrimination at Work Because of my National Origin. What Can I Do?
Looking for A Specific Post? Search Below
If you were passed over for a promotion, terminated or laid off, not hired in favor of another candidate, or suffered harassment in your workplace, you could be a victim of national origin discrimination. This is the unfair treatment of an individual based on his or her actual or perceived place of birth.
As a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States, you have the right to seek and maintain fulfilling work. There are a few positions that are only available to citizens, such as federal government positions. These rights are protected by the Immigration Reform and Control Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Both are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency that enforces our nation’s employment laws.
It is Illegal to Discriminate Based on Citizenship or National Origin
Recognizing citizenship and national origin discrimination is not always easy. A few examples of these types of discrimination include:
- Asking interviewees where they were born;
- Paying US citizens and permanent residents different rates for the same work;
- Refusing to promote non-citizens beyond a certain level in the company;
- Targeting an individual or group with off-color remarks, invasive questions, and offensive imagery; and
- Refusing to hire non-citizens.
Document Everything
Every time you feel you have experienced discrimination based on your citizenship status or national origin, document it. Print out emails and meeting notes that contain discriminatory content, note the date, time, and context of conversations where harassment or other forms of discrimination occur, and when it comes to being passed over for promotion or paid an unfair rate, keep all related documents to support your claim.
Report your Experienced to Human Resources
Before you file a discrimination claim with the EEOC, try to resolve your issue internally. Report your experiences to your company’s Human Resources department, which could result in an appropriate resolution for your case. But do not let your guard down or get rid of your supporting documents – you might still need to bring in outside aid.
Consider Filing a Discrimination Claim with the EEOC
If your report to Human Resources takes you nowhere, work with an employment lawyer to file a claim with the EEOC. The EEOC will investigate your claim by examining your evidence and your workplace, and if it finds discrimination occurred, it may facilitate a settlement between you and the company. If not, you might have to file a discrimination lawsuit to have the court rule on your case.
Work with an Experienced Chicago Immigration Lawyer
Nobody has to tell you that becoming an American citizen or permanent resident and establishing yourself in a career here is a long, difficult process. When you suffer from discrimination in your workplace following all this effort, the consequences can feel especially unfair. Speak with an experienced immigration lawyer at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC to determine the best course of action for exercising your rights to pursue a career in the United States. Contact our firm today to set up your initial consultation in our office.
What Our Clients Say
5-Star Rating | Based on 200+ Satisfied Customer Google Reviews
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my attorney, Brittni Rivera, for her professionalism and support during a very difficult time. I was in detention for 6 months, and thanks to her hard work and filing a habeas corpus petition, I was finally released. In addition, when I was released, ICE did not return my documents. Brittni did not ignore this issue — she took action and successfully…
My aunt was recently detained by ICE and sent to El Paso, Texas to the East Montana Detention Facility. This place is essentially a prison in the middle of the desert, and the majority of the detainees here get deported. My family and I interviewed a dozen immigration attorneys around the country to help my aunt, and we decided to hire Kevin Raica, an attorney with Kriezelman Burton and Associates.…
Our case was very difficult, and at times it felt like there was no way out. My wife was detained for a long period of time, and it was an extremely challenging experience for our family. Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC truly changed our situation. I would especially like to thank our attorney, Brittni Rivera, as well as Natalia. They were attentive, honest, and always ready to help. It was…
I cannot recommend Kevin Raica highly enough. He helped me successfully obtain my U.S. green card, and the entire process was smooth and stress-free because of his expertise and dedication. From start to finish, Kevin was professional, organized, and extremely knowledgeable about immigration law. He made sure every document was prepared correctly and took the time to explain each step clearly. Anytime I had questions, he responded promptly and made…
Great experience with this attorney office. They helped me with my I-751 waiver after divorce. Kevin was very professional, and supported me through the interview. Everything went smoothly and my case was approved. Highly recommend!
We contacted Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, based on a recommendation, when my wife was detained by ICE. Attorney Khiabett Osuna handled our case, and it turned out to be the right choice. From the very beginning, she proved herself to be a caring and competent professional, clearly explaining the process. You can tell she's truly invested in each case and achieving results for her clients. We've also heard of…
I would like to express my gratitude to Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and especially to attorney Khiabett Osuna, who handled my case. I contacted them based on a recommendation and have never regretted it. From the very beginning, she demonstrated high professionalism. I could tell she was genuinely committed to the outcome and was doing everything possible to protect her client.
Mr. Kriezelman, Mr. Burton and Ms. Erin Cobb, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for handling my case. Your knowledge and dedication to my case is truly appreciated. Thank you.
I highly recommend Brittni Rivera. We are very grateful to her and the entire team at Kriezelman Burton & Associates. Your dedication, responsiveness, and compassion made an enormous difference during an incredibly difficult time. Serving as the liaison between Brittni Rivera and our friend in ICE detention, I saw firsthand how tirelessly she worked guiding us through the process, answering every question, and never losing sight of the humanity at…
Andrea C. Ochoa is truly the best of the best. ❤️ Our family went through one of the most difficult and frightening experiences of our lives when Feruz was detained by ICE. We felt lost, scared, and unsure of what would happen next. From the very beginning, Andrea brought us not only her professionalism and deep legal knowledge, but also something even more important — hope. She guided us through…
Schedule A Consultation!
Libertyville
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.
NUVEW | Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | privacy policy