Background checks are important history reports that are often required by employers or other organizations with screening requirements. Many people find background checks to be intimidating; however, they are often an important part of any screening process.
If you find that you need to submit a background check report, you may be wondering if your immigration status will be shown on this document. Our article gives you more information about background checks and whether or not those who view your background check can see your immigration status.
Why Are Background Checks Important?
Though background checks may seem unnecessary to some people, they are actually an important part of any hiring or screening process. Background checks help employers and other organizations determine whether or not someone is telling the truth about their identity, is qualified to complete the job they are applying for, and is a safe hire for the workplace.
The background check process is part of the due diligence that many employers and companies need to make before hiring someone into their workplace or organization.
It’s important to note that most states have authorization and disclosure requirements when it comes to background checks. If a background check is required of you as part of an application or as part of an offer of employment, you will most likely need to sign off on this report being accessed. Depending on state laws, you may also be able to review what the person requesting the report wants to check.
Make sure to speak with the individual or company accessing your background check report and consult with specific state laws to ensure you are informed about the background check process.
Items That Your Background Check Might Include
Your background check report might include the following items; general background check reports tend to include information about all of these items, but more in-depth criminal reports will include extensive history about any criminal or civil charges on your records.
Personal Information
Your personal information is one of the most important things reviewed as part of your background check report. This information will contain things such as your address history, education information, licenses and certification information, and, occasionally, known relatives, associates, and partners. This information is used to confirm your identity, and that the information you listed on your job application or other documents is correct.
In the case that some of your information is incorrect on your background check report, you should be reaching out to county record offices to get this information fixed and providing the person reviewing your report with a well-rounded explanation of any discrepancies.
Employment History
Employment history is another major informational item on your background check report that individuals frequently review. Your employment history allows others to learn more about your work experience, whether or not you are telling the truth on your applications or other documents, and if you are qualified to perform the jobs you are applying for.
Occasionally, the person reviewing your background check and employment history will reach out to your previous employers and speak to them for references; most individuals will inform you if they intend to reach out to previous employers.
Criminal and Civil Records
Criminal and civil records are typically shown on all types of background checks, though some types of background check reports can be much more in-depth. In general, your background check report will contain information about criminal convictions, civil cases, and arrests, depending on state disclosure laws.
Any criminal or civil records that you have successfully expunged will not be shown on your background check report, but those that are still current and have not been sealed will be public record and accessible.
Will Your Background Check Show Immigration Status?
If you have recently immigrated to the United States or you hold a green card, you may be wondering whether or not your immigration status will show on your background check report. Your background check will not show this information outright, but it can be determined if you do not have a social security number; many individuals will confirm your identity with a social security number before accessing your background check report.
Additionally, if you have limited records to your name in the United States, limited work or employment history, or individuals have difficulty locating your name in background check records due to name changes and foreign records, it can be easy to guess your immigration status.
If you have to provide an “A number” or any other identifier of legal immigration instead of a social security number, your immigration status might also be shown to employers. In the case of illegal immigration, you will not have any public records on file, which may cause issues if you are attempting to find a job; hiring illegal immigrants is against the law and many employers or organizations avoid doing this.
Staying Informed of Your Background Report
Background checks are stressful, but you can make this process a little less overwhelming by staying informed of your own background check report.
By running a background check on yourself, you can review what information others might potentially see when pulling your background check report and correct any information. You can also identify items that might be red flags to individuals reviewing your report and take steps to provide explanations or work around these issues.
As you review your background check report, you may also want to check on the personal information included, including potential citizenship information, so you can further understand what individuals might see when they access this report.
