Does a Background Check Reveal Immigration Status?
Background checks are conducted for a variety of reasons in the US by many different individuals and organizations. Some will be initiated specifically to determine someone’s immigration status, while others will not seek that information. In most cases, however, the subject of a background check is asked for authorization to conduct the check, and the authorization request will note the information being sought. When a background check is conducted by law enforcement, typically in connection with issuing a security clearance in relation to a high-level government job, or as a routine investigation prior to a criminal trial, one’s citizenship and/or immigration status is routinely determined.
Background checks are conducted for a variety of reasons in the US by many different individuals and organizations. Some will be initiated specifically to determine someone’s immigration status, while others will not seek that information. In most cases, however, the subject of a background check is asked for authorization to conduct the check, and the authorization request will note the information being sought. When a background check is conducted by law enforcement, typically in connection with issuing a security clearance in relation to a high-level government job, or as a routine investigation prior to a criminal trial, one’s citizenship and/or immigration status is routinely determined. The most common form of background check currently performed in the US is related to employment. Employers typically will request information from job applicants, together with permission to conduct a background check, in order to verify the information provided on the job application, as well as
