The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s SpaceX for alleged discrimination against asylum recipients and refugees in its hiring practices. The lawsuit alleges that from September 2018 to May 2022, SpaceX actively discouraged and refused to hire individuals based on their citizenship status, thereby violating the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Justice Department also cited online posts made by Musk himself as evidence of “discriminatory public statements.” In response, Musk labeled the lawsuit as a “weaponization of the DOJ for political purposes” and argued that international arms trafficking laws prohibited the company from hiring non-permanent residents.

The lawsuit accuses SpaceX of repeatedly making false claims about hiring restrictions, specifically citing the company’s assertion that federal export control laws required them to hire only U.S. citizens or green card holders. The Justice Department found evidence that SpaceX recruiters and high-level officials actively discouraged asylum recipients and refugees from applying for jobs at the company. The United States is seeking fair consideration, back pay, and civil penalties in the lawsuit, as well as policy changes to ensure compliance with non-discrimination laws.

The allegations against SpaceX highlight concerns about discriminatory hiring practices and compliance with immigration laws. The Justice Department’s lawsuit challenges SpaceX’s claims about the legal restrictions on hiring non-U.S. citizens, arguing that the company violated federal law by imposing a ban on hiring individuals based on their citizenship status. The outcome of this case will have implications not only for SpaceX but also for other companies in the aerospace industry and beyond, emphasizing the importance of fair and non-discriminatory hiring practices that comply with federal regulations.

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