• The US Government is suing Elon Musk’s SpaceX over discrimination in hiring asylees and refugees.
• The lawsuit claims that SpaceX discouraged and refused to hire asylees and refugees, citing “export control laws” which were later challenged.
• This legal battle has raised questions about the company’s practices, putting SpaceX into a difficult position with the US government.
The US Government Sues Elon Musk’s SpaceX
The US Government has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s SpaceX over alleged discrimination in hiring asylees and refugees. The lawsuit alleges that SpaceX discouraged and refused to hire asylees and refugees, citing “export control laws” which were later challenged by the Justice Department. This legal battle has raised questions about the company’s practices, putting it in a difficult position with the government.
Allegations of Discrimination
The lawsuit contends that from September 2018 to May 2022, SpaceX actively discouraged asylees and refugees from applying for employment opportunities and further alleged that the company categorically denied them job offers based on their citizenship status, contradicting principles in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Misuse of Export Control Laws
SpaceX also allegedly created barriers for asylees and refugees by referencing “export control laws” in its job postings. It disseminated inaccurate information through job postings and public statements suggesting potential candidates were limited to hiring only U.S citizens or lawful permanent residents due to “export control laws”. However, these claims have been challenged by the Justice Department who argues that such restrictions do not exist under export control laws.
Implications of Discrimination
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division noted the serious implications of this case stating: “Our investigation found that SpaceX violated federal law by denying job opportunities to qualified applicants based on their citizenship status.” She further added that companies must recognize “that our nation is strengthened by diversity within its workforce.”