February 2020 by Mary T.
Today, February 3rd, 2020, I had the most disturbing experience at Vystar, Notary Services, located on 11674 Beach Boulevard, 32246. I brought a standard I-9 form Employment Eligibility Verification for notarization. I am a US CITIZEN and brought a US passport with me as an ID. When you present a US passport, you don't need any other forms of ID. That is the gold standard of ID-s, the one that proves US citizenship. The I-9 form is a STANDARD form for ALL people who begin employment in the US. ALL people! I asked at the reception if they know how to do I-9s. I was told Yes. I waited until I was called by Jacqueline. She immediately asked me where does she need to notarize it? I asked "have you done these before?". She said yes, but they were different. If she's done these before, then she should know what to do because it's STANDARD for all forms. Then she says she hasn't done it in a while. This is a common form for EVERYONE starting a job. I asked if there's someone more experienced available, and she responded with an attitude. She became defensive for asking to deal with someone more experienced. Then she went to speak with her manager, and came back telling me that she cannot attest that I am authorized to work in the US. I had a US PASSPORT with me! A US passport! She is so incompetent, with zero knowledge, that she didn't know that a US Passport attests someone's citizenship and gives the bearer employment authorization. The I-9 form clearly states that a US Passport establishes both identity and employment authorization. But she didn't bother reading that. I thought to myself "How the hell did they put someone as incompetent in charge of notary services?". She said she asked her manager and the manager told her to tell me this. I was in total disbelief, then it dawned on me. They DISCRIMINATED against me because I have an accent! They discriminated against me because of my national origin! Because I had an accent, they didn't believe me that I am a US citizen, even though I had a passport with me! That is a clear violation of my constitutional rights, especially from a bank. I had a US passport with me! This discriminatory treatment would have NEVER occurred if I wouldn't have had a "foreign" accent, and talked with an accent that fits a narrow definition of an American accent. I was a victim of discrimination because of my National Origin. This is the most disgusting, appalling treatment ever, and it is a sign of disturbing times. I have been a Vystar member since 2009, and I have a mortgage with them. This racism against anyone who doesn't sound like a "typical" American is unacceptable! Once again, I had a US passport with me and she said she cannot attest that I am legally authorized to work in the US! The I-9 form clearly states that anyone with a passport is legally authorized to work in the US because anyone with a US passport is a US citizen! Serious question Vystar: how are you evaluating your employees? What kind of hiring practices do you have in place that you end up employing such incompetents? I truly want to know. And it's not just a meager employee, apparently it's the manager too that has zero knowledge, because according to the employee, the manager told her to tell me this! Or maybe they're just too blinded by racism against anyone who doesn't sound "American" to them? Which one is it because I truly want to know? Are they incompetent or racist? Or both?