applying for a job with U.S Citizens only...

[Canadian in GA 34]

Hey all!

well I am a permanent resident. I have my 2 year green card, and applying for US citizenship when I am able to do so. I am looking for a career change, and I want to work for the police department in my county, in Georgia. I see that some say " you must be a US citizen" to apply. being a permanent resident, doesn't that allow me to work anywhere? does it fall under the "right to work" thingy?

I would really like to apply for this job, and I have some testing in another county, but I don't want to go though all the stress of all the testing, if in the end, they deny me as i am not a US citizen.

anyone know this answer?

thanks!

[v333k 59]

There are many jobs that require citizenship for consideration. However, every rule has its exceptions, and you can certainly indicate that you are not a citizen. You may even talk to someone in that department about your application and if they are willing to consider a resident for the position.

However, under no circumstance mark that you are a citizen - because if this goes out, and in a weird way, USCIS finds out about it, you will be denied citizenship in the US when you apply.

However, yes, they are allowed to indicate that only citizens will be considered for the position. Many times it is due to security issues...

[stronger 43]

I see someone wants a job kicking #### and taking names. haha

[HeatDeath 430]

Unfortunately, certain government jobs, especially those pertaining to security or basic infrastructure, can and do reserve the right to make US citizenship a condition of employment, notwithstanding your right to work. You could be the Messiah Himself, and turn water into grape juice at your interview, but they would still be forced to not hire you if you can't produce a US passport, birth certificate, or certificate of naturalization.

Just one of the several reasons why a very significant majority of Canadian immigrants to the US get US citizenship at the first legal opportunity.

EDIT: +1 to v333k's comment. Do NOT, under ANY circumstances, claim to be a US citizen at any point in this process! It's illegal, and you will permanently hose yourself out of ever getting US citizenship, and may even get yourself deported. I'm sure you already know this, but the warning is worth repeating. Also, I agree: it can't hurt to ask, and you should, but because it's a security position, you will probably find the US citizenship requirement non-negotiable.

Edited December 1, 2011 by HeatDeath

[Canadian in GA 34]

Thanks for the info, yeah I wouldn't ever say I am a citizen if i'm not, guess I will wait until I am a citizen until I apply. but I will ask them maybe they can work with me, seeing the experience I have. or maybe not. thanks!

Tolsab- yeah, need a new job baaaadddddd!

[N M 96]

Not many public sector jobs outside the Federal Govt are reserved for citizens. You may see a few that are - but don't be put off. Most aren't (including many law enforcement jobs).

I'm only a LPR, but had no problems (for example) becoming a Financial Investigator with the Colorado Attorney General. I also know of a (British born) Police Chief here in Colorado who was a deputy long before he became a U.S. citizen.

Like you say, you don't want to waste time applying if citizenship is a requirement, so just check that at the outset.

Good luck!

Edited December 1, 2011 by N M

[Canadian in GA 34]

Thanks N M! I want to work within the 911 dispatch center. so we will see thanks for everyones input!

[thetreble 19]

I work at a state, public institution and am a state government employee. They had no problems taking a PR. Just like others are saying, most jobs outside the Feds usually accept PRs.

[tdegrenier 1]

There are even several Federal jobs that simply require employment authorization.

You should ask the HR department in the agency in which you are applying. I work in a Federal agency and for several of our "US Citizen" positions, if you can prove that you are in the process of becoming Naturalized, they can hire you. Of course, if you are denied citizenship then you will also lose your job . . .

[Darnell 8,478]

Thanks N M! I want to work within the 911 dispatch center. so we will see thanks for everyones input!

This would be a great topic to discuss with one of the HR Staffers with the entity - Suggest a walk up , ask for one of the HR crew to talk with you for five minutes. IMO, it'd clear up much.

Walking is important, sometimes. This, IMO, is one of those times.

[Rattlehead 69]

However, yes, they are allowed to indicate that only citizens will be considered for the position. Many times it is due to security issues...

THIS.

It's not even about "kicking ####", it's about who's exposed to what information/intellectual property. Doesn't even require security classification, but putting certain non-classified info into the hands of non-USC (not LPR, not visa, but naturalized citizens) can land a company in very hot water in very short order.

[Maad 0]

There are even several Federal jobs that simply require employment authorization.

You should ask the HR department in the agency in which you are applying. I work in a Federal agency and for several of our "US Citizen" positions, if you can prove that you are in the process of becoming Naturalized, they can hire you. Of course, if you are denied citizenship then you will also lose your job . . .

True. And that is the time when form N-300 is necessary. At least in couple states I am aware of.

[NickD 202]

Know for a fact our military would sure take you as a LPR, sure tried hard enough to get my stepdaughter to join when she was one. With this 9/11 thing, greatly expanded our police department, ha make sure you are driving 24 in 25 mph limit. Their rule was to hire local folks, but the demand was more for an experienced officer, so even hired out of state.

As suggested, go to that departments human resource department and learn their requirements for citizenship status. You never want to go by what you hear.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

I work at a place where you need to be a USC to work, EVERY worker must be a USC from the VP down to the cleaning crew. There is supposedly exceptions to this if you can prove the person involved has spoecific knowledge that is required for a project but the pain/expense of doing this is prohibitive so they never even consider non USC's If you are talking about a company like this there is zero chance of them considering you before you are a USC.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I work somewhere where we have many IT personnel that are citizens, PR's (which of course I was until recently) but we also have people who are not PR's yet, but just on a Work VISA or EAD. We tag these people in our system so that they are easily identifiable when we are dealing with ITAR regulation stuff. We take training in what types of information are considered acceptable for certain audiences to have access to and it's a serious business. Because we work with the government we need to be compliant. You see the citizenship thing on a lot of jobs here in the DC area because there is so much government work.

To the OP - there are regulations back in Canada that are the same, you just didn't bump into it much because you were Cdn