Discrimination?

[croat 0]

Hi everyone!

I have a question about possible discrimination issue.

This morning I sent an e-mail to a local company that does some work which something similar I have done back in Canada for more than 4 years.

In the e-mail, I explained what I did back in my previous job and and I also sent them my resume.

Few hours after, the person replies back to me saying that the resume was forwarded to him (from the company's general e-mail that I had) and they would like to interview me this week.

I got excited and replied back that I can come for an interview whenever they need me to. Few hours later, the same guy replies back and says that he noticed that I was living in Canada before and asks me about my 'citizenship status'. I reply back to him that I am a Canadian citizen, but I am the permanent resident here in the US and I have the Green card which entitles me to work legally in the US.

Again, 3 hours after, he replies back and says that his company 'does not sponsor H1B'. I was suprised when he wrote me that.

He either does not know that with the Green card you can work for any company without any sponsorhips or maybe he does not like the fact that I came from Canada??

I replied back to him again that I do not need any sponsorships or the H1B visa, and tried to call him, but there was no answer. I hope he writes me back some good news.

If not, is there anything that I can do about this case? I am so dissapointed now when he suddenly changed his mind (or does not know some facts) when learned that I moved here from Canada.

Thanks!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Sounds like the dude assumed you needed an H1B --- but hopefully he will get back to you with good news.

And no, employers cannot discriminate on the basis of LPR --- unless the job has security clearance requirements or if your profession requires some sort of board certification.

[JillA 2]

Yes it sounds more like a misunderstanding, perhaps he didn't understand what you meant by a perm resident. Anyway, try calling again and explain in detail that you ARE legal to work and do not need sponsoring!

[Otto 83]

Many (if not most) folks living/working in the US do not know very much about immigration status'. We (here on VJ and elsewhere) throw out terms/phrases like Green Card but often 'outsiders' have no clue what that means.

Lesson learned - use terms like Permanent Resident and/or legal alien authorized to work (or even "I-551" status). Green Card is virtually meaningless to many (especially now that the card isn't even green any more).

Hopefully they'll contact you again - am an optimist and would like to believe it was simply a miscommunication and not a discriminatory issue.

[T_and_A 3]

I kinda had the same experience like this. When i got a job interview, they were asking about H1B visa. I told them flat out that I don't need sponsorship for a visa and that I am here legally and allowed to work. They didn't make a big fuss about it, they gave me the job anyway. I just showed them my work permit during that time, and when my greencard came, i updated and submitted it to HR.

[Ban Hammer 13,110]

it's not discrimination, it's stupidity.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

it's not discrimination, it's stupidity.

I think they hate her because she did not promise to bring timbits to the interview

[Ban Hammer 13,110]

it's not discrimination, it's stupidity.

I think they hate her because she did not promise to bring timbits to the interview

good point - she should list that on her resume - able to acquire large amounts of timbits......

[redBlue 1]

I wouldn't wanna work with a guy who has such a stupidity anyway.

I'm sure she deserves better and she'll find something better....

[aaron2020 11,651]

Before blowing this out of proportion, I suspect that this is simply a misunderstanding. The guy probably does not know that a green card holder is a legal permanent resident who is entitled to work in the US. Call him up or e-mail him to clarify that you will not need an H1-b visa as you are a legal permanent resident entitled to work in the US and that the US is your home now. Since you have already tried that, I would wait a day or two and try again. He may simply be out of the office early for the day.