One of the most important goals immigrants have when they immigrate is to be able to work legally in the United States. Whatever, it’s clear that the so-called “American dream” requires a lot of sweat and a few tears.
But in order to do so, immigrants must be prepared to show their prospective employers a series of documents with which to verify their immigration status and prove that they have authorization to work in the country.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has compiled a list of possible documents that potential workers must have to comply with U.S. laws.
Ideal documents are those that can establish identity and authorization at the same time. You should only have one of the following:
Working Legally in the United States: What Does It Take?
Here are the documents you need to work legally in this country:
- U.S. passport or passport card
▪ Permanent resident card (known as ‘green card’).
▪ Foreign passport with a temporary form I-551 stamped.
▪ Passport of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) or the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). It must be accompanied by Form I-94 or I-94A indicating the admission of nonimmigrants under the U.S.-U.S. Compact of Free Association.
Other considerations to keep in mind
If they don’t have any of these documents, you can then display one of the following:
▪ Social security card, unless it includes the phrases “not valid for employment” or “valid for work only with DHS authorization.”
▪ Certification of birth report issued by the U.S . Department of State (forms DS-1350, FS-545, FS-240).
▪ Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a U.S . state, county, or municipal authority with an official seal.
▪ Native American tribe document.
▪ U.S. citizen identification card (Form I-197). Although this card is not issued at present, it is still valid.
▪ Identification card for U.S. residents (Form I-179). Although this card is not issued at present, it is still valid.
▪ Employment authorization document issued by the Department of Homeland Security.