; (B) the verification of the individual’s eligibility to work in the United States; or (C) the discharging of the individual from employment. (2) Exceptions Paragraph (1) shall not apply to— (A) a person, other entity, or employer that employs 3 or fewer employees (other than an employment agency); (B) a person’s or entity’s discrimination based upon an individual’s national origin if the discrimination with respect to that employer, person, or entity and that individual is covered under section 703 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000e–2 ), unless the discrimination is related to an individual’s verification of employment authorization; or (C) discrimination based upon an individual’s citizenship status if such discrimination— (i) is required in order to comply with a provision of Federal, State, or local law related to law enforcement; (ii) is required by a contract with the Federal Government; or (iii) is determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to be essential for an employer to do business with an agency or department of the Federal Government or with a State, Tribal, or local government. (3) Additional exception providing right to prefer equally qualified citizens It is not an unfair immigration-related employment practice for an employer to prefer to hire, recruit, or refer for a fee an individual who is a citizen or national of the United States over another individual who is a noncitizen if the 2 individuals are equally qualified. (4) Unfair immigration-related employment practices relating to the system It is an unfair immigration-related employment practice for a person, other entity, or employment agency— (A) to use the employment verification system described in section 274A (referred to in this title as the System ) to deny workers’ employment or post-employment benefits; (B) to misuse the System to discriminate based on national origin or citizenship status