DOJ Sues SpaceX For Not Hiring ‘Asylees And Refugees’
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s SpaceX over its hiring practices — claiming that the rocket company has discriminated against so-called asylum seekers and refugees in favor of actual Americans.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke released a statement alongside the lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday.
“Our investigation found that SpaceX failed to fairly consider or hire asylees and refugees because of their citizenship status and imposed what amounted to a ban on their hire regardless of their qualification, in violation of federal law,” the statement read.
“Our investigation also found that SpaceX recruiters and high-level officials took actions that actively discouraged asylees and refugees from seeking work opportunities at the company,” the statement continued.
The lawsuit alleges that between September 2018 and May 2022, SpaceX discouraged asylum seekers and refugees from applying for jobs at the company because of their citizenship status.
“SpaceX wrongly claimed that under federal regulations known as ‘export control laws,’ SpaceX could hire only US citizens and lawful permanent residents, sometimes referred to as ‘green card holders,’” the DOJ claimed.
“Export control laws impose no such hiring restrictions,” the lawsuit alleged.
The DOJ is seeking back pay for asylum seekers and refugees who they claim were deterred or denied employment by SpaceX due to supposed discrimination — while also demanding that the court impose civil penalties against the company.
“Asylees and refugees have overcome many obstacles in their lives, and unlawful employment discrimination based on their citizenship status should not be one of them,” Clarke’s statement claimed.
“Through this lawsuit we will hold SpaceX accountable for its illegal employment practices and seek relief that allows asylees and refugees to fairly compete for job opportunities and contribute their talents to SpaceX’s workforce,” the statement continued.
Critics took to social media to blast President Joe Biden’s “weaponized” DOJ for “targeting Elon Musk” — pointing out that this was just another example of the Biden administration favoring illegal aliens over Americans and targeting Biden’s political opponents.
“Joe Biden’s DOJ is now targeting @ElonMusk’s SpaceX for discrimination against refugees and asylum seekers. Of course, this claim is absolutely ludicrous. It’s just another example of this weaponized Justice Department going after a political enemy of Biden. Why is Elon a political enemy? Well, he supports free speech. Biden doesn’t play free speech. It’s not really something tyrants like him enjoy!” wrote political strategist Joey Mannarino.
“The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, claiming their hiring policies discriminate against refugees and asylees. It seems as though the government is once again putting the wants and needs of foreigners over those of American citizens,” wrote Cassandra MacDonald, editor in chief at Timcast News.
“The DOJ may not have the time or inclination to go after Joe and Hunter Biden’s blatant corruption, but they sure will punish Elon Musk for hiring too many Americans,” wrote Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT).
While covering the news, the Daily Wire noted that Biden hinted that his administration planned to target Musk last November when he was “asked point blank if he thought that Musk was a ‘national security threat’ and whether or not Twitter (now known as X) should be investigated.”
“Biden refused to answer whether Musk threatened national security, but said that his purchase of the platform was ‘worth being looked at.’ When asked how he would go about doing that, Biden chuckled, ‘There’s a lot of ways.’ It was ominous then, and seems even more sinister now.”
