[georgiegirl]

but failed to demand a similar document from U.S. citizen workers.

Huh? US citizens have green cards??

[Vlad The Inhaler]

but failed to demand a similar document from U.S. citizen workers.

I call B.S. on this one.

Every prospective employee has to fill out and sign a Federal forrm I-9 that requires appropriate proof of citizenship or legal residency.

The types of documentation that are required for each are clearly spelled out.

I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification

INSTRUCTIONS: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9

[Wonder Warthog]

"Huh? US citizens have green cards??

US citizen equivalent......embossed birth certificate. My wife just upgraded her Washington drivers licensed to the "enhanced" version, and had to show that as proof of US citizenship. A simple photocopy is not enough.

[billakay]

I think I get it. Employers are required to accept any VALID set of documents that are specified on the I-9 instructions. To demand a green card (as opposed to some other set of documents that might validate a legal immigrant's work status), may be a violation. It actually says this right on the I-9.

For example, as a citizen, I can show my driver's license AND social security card, OR just a passport.

[billakay]

To follow this up, my wife (now a citizen) had something called an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) while her green card was being processed. If she had desired to work during this process, she could have presented the EAD. If an employer refused this, and instead demanded a green card, this would have been a violation of the law.