Is it rude to ask a person for their immigration status?

Answer 1

not if you are an immigration officer,
otherwise it's no one else's business

Answer 2

I do think that it probably is rude to ask such a question if you don't know the person well. And, if it is not your business when you ask this question, I guess they have the right to refuse to answer you.

However, I think this question should be allowed to be asked (and documentation should have to be provided as proof), by:

- police when they stop someone for a driving infraction if they suspect the person may be an illegal immigrant;

- schools when people register their children for enrollment;

- the hospitals when people show up at the ER looking for medical care;

- Social Services of anyone applying for assistance;

- a prospective employer.

And, if it is later discovered that a person lied and/or produced illegal documents to support that lie, they should be deported immediately with no chance in the future of ever being allowed to return to the USA legally. If they received benefits through their lie/deceit, before they are deported they should be forced to pay back as much as possible from their own bank accounts and personal wealth.

I also think this question should be asked by a person if they are dating someone that they think may not be here legally - not saying they will tell the truth, of course, as I read on here about one girl who was dating an immigrant who even showed her his green card but then later, after she became pregnant, she found out his green card was a fake.

Answer 3

If asking for one's age or weight may be difficult for some people to answer...I would imagine asking for one's immigration status! If they want to hide it, they will flat out deny and lie to you.

But to answer your question, no, it' isn't rude if you're looking to hire them, otherwise, it's rather personal for some people (especially the illegals!!)

Answer 4

I do not think in these times it would be rude to ask
And if they make it illegal to hire a illegal immigrant or at least start enforcing the laws on the books now that say it is illegal to hire illegal immigrants then you would have to ask to keep from breaking the law yourself.

Answer 5

No it is not rude. If you meet an illegel ask him why he hasnt he taken steps to be a citizen. If he gives you some proud to be mexican bull tell him to get this hell out of the United States. These people need to learn English and be proud to be the USA or Im sorry man get them out of here.

Answer 6

It's not rude but doesn't mean that you would get a truthful answer. Even if they showed you some sort of documentation you probably couldn't tell. They have people that make social security cards that look identical to ours. I read yesterday where President Bush has said that all of them will have to have one id with their fingerprint on it....newsflash genius...they are a step ahead of you on that...they have resident alien cards that have fingerprints on them but they are fake. What will he come up with next?

Answer 7

Of course! Asking anything personal specially if a person is not a close friend is rude.

Answer 8

As an immigrant, yes..as in a casual conversation..because it really is nobody's business.

Actually no..if WE get mad, it's because some morons won't mind their own business.

BUT as from a working point or for lawful reasons, then no.

SIGH..half of you are so CLUELESS.

Answer 9

I ask this question all the time. Right after, "Do you speak english?"
Is it rude? perhaps but it sure isnt criminal! Do I care if I offend someone?
No!! Do I have a constitutional right as an AMERICAN CITIZEN? sure do!

Answer 10

they seem to be volunteering it enmass lately, problem is nobody is doing anything about it when they find out. Why wasn't the INS at any of these protests with paddy waggons picking these guys up?

I worked with a German guy and I asked him, he was "still a kraut" but worked here legally.

Answer 11

No i don't think its rude but rather nosy, ha-ha . I don't know maybe some people take it kinda rude but if you ask me that question i would be just fine with it.