<p>Dear reader,
I'm applying to grad school in mechanical engineering. I'm a naturalized US citizen. After submitting my application to a large, state school in Alabama (I wont' disclose the name, but I think you can probably guess which one), I got an email asking for proof of citizenship (naturalization paper, passport) because I indicated birthplace as Japan and citizenship as US. There's a part of me that wants to just send them the proof they're looking for, but there's also a part of me that thinks this is horribly wrong in principle. I'm going to assume that a Joe Smith who indicates that he was born in the US and is a US citizen doesn't have to show his birth certificate or passport as proof. What is my actual right, if any, legally? Are schools even allowed to do this? And more importantly, what's the right/ethical/courageous thing to do here because I don't want to simply cave in to blatant discrimination? For what it's worth, I've applied to a dozen other schools, and this is the only one that's asked for such proof of citizenship. If I had my druthers, I'd like to politely decline the request. I'm going to draw some parallel to Barack Obama's birth certificate fiasco, and yes, I'm being very hyperbolic. Thank you for any input.</p>
<p>some grad/research programs are funded with federal money and which is only available to US citizens. Students born in the US are, by definition, US citizens, so a passport proof is not necessary.</p>
<p>btw: Since you find this so distasteful, I suggest you withdraw your application in protest. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>And itâs exactly what bluebayou said - much funding, especially in engineering (NSF funds) are only available to students who are U.S. citizens. It may have nothing to do with your chances of admission but rather from which pot they can formulate your funding package.</p>
<p>I believe that Arizona, Alabama, and Georgia have a new state provision that requires ANY applicant to a public school must show proof of citizenship or lawful presence on their stateâs territory (I read about this because Alabama lost literally millions due to this policy since it also applies to jobs and farmers had to let their crops rot and go unpicked for lack of staff that could prove this.) I donât know whether the law isnât being questioned, overturned, or in hearing though.
So itâs quite possible the university is following the new conditions for its continued funding.
Otherwise, the situation ^ (NSF funding) is another possibility and the other schools might ask you after admission, not before.
Go to the grad forum of this board and ask there. If indeed youâre the only one they asked that, youâd have a right to protest, otherwise you could withdraw your application and explain why or choose to keep it.</p>
<p>âŠwhy does it matter? Youâre a citizen, so just give them proof. Itâs just like if you were being hired for a job and were required to give proof that you are legally allowed to work in this country.</p>
<p>My understanding is that the school is allowed to verify any part of the application that they want to, and I highly doubt that theyâre doing this maliciously. If youâre so offended by it, then withdraw your application.</p>
<p>In AZ, at least at ASU, students need to verify âlawful presenceâ, not necessarily citizenship, but green card or visa, if they are applying for any financial aid or scholarships. Otherwise, I think not.</p>
<p>My daughter was not born in the US and is a naturalized citizen. Every undergrad school to which she was accepted asked for proof of citizenship. The school where she did her masters in the UK also required citizenship status there. (so itâs not only here in the US)
I expect that the schools to which she has applied for PhD here in the US will also require the proof, after any acceptances.
Itâs perfectly normal, and is required due to certain grants, scholarships, fellowships, tuition rates etc.
I expect that after acceptance or matriculation to any of the other schools to which you have applied, proof of citizenship will be requested as well.</p>
<p>I have been involved in my universityâs graduate admissions for many years, and ran the office as an Associate Dean for 3 years. We often get applications from students who identify themselves as âdomesticâ applicants simply because they are in the U.S. already (maybe they did a B.S. here). We have to clarify the situation because every student who is not a citizen or permanent resident needs an I-20 and a visa to study in the U.S. (even if it is a transfer I-20 from another school). If we admit without the proper documentation it can be a serious compliance problem.</p>
I have been a Naturalized US citizen since I was 1.5 years old, and I have attended multiple universities in the mid-western part of the country, I have received two bachelor degrees, an associates degree and a masterâs degree and have taken courses at both private and state institutions. Through all of this, I have never been asked once for my citizenship status. I have just encountered this very situation, and I am appalled at the question. I understand your hesitancy and the resentment that you feel and I too feel the same way. The question of state residency is not an issue, thatâs completely acceptable; however, by providing my social security number as well as residency status that should suffice. I am thinking about withdrawing my application.