National origin happens when an employer discriminates because of where someone was born. Race discrimination and national origin discrimination can often go hand-in-hand. A "U.S. citizens only" policy in hiring is illegal. An employer may require U.S. citizenship for a particular job only if it is required by federal, state, or local law, or by government contract. An employer may not discriminate because of citizenship status against U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and the following classes of aliens with work authorization: permanent residents, temporary residents (that is, individuals who have gone through the legalization program), refugees, and asylees.
Federal laws which prohibit national origin discrimination include the Immigration Reform and Control Act, (IRCA) which prohibits employment discrimination because of national origin against U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and authorized aliens, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans national origin discrimination against any individual.
