SpaceX Accused of Hiring Discriminating Against Refugees

United States – SpaceX, company of Elon Musk discriminated against refugees and asylum seekers between 2018 and 2022, according to a complaint filed by the US Department of Justice (DOJ).

The complaint alleges that SpaceX, which designs, manufactures, and launches rockets and spacecraft, unfairly discouraged and rejected applicants who were refugees and asylum seekers.

While the action cannot determine whether SpaceX's policy was an unintentional misinterpretation of federal law, the complain states that the company wrongly informed potential applicants that it could only hire United States citizens and lawful permanent residents, sometimes referred to as green card holders.

SpaceX explained that export control laws impose such requirements, which then reject refugee and asylum applicants. But the company's claims are incorrect, according to the complain. 

The DOJ has asked the administrative law judge overseeing the case to order SpaceX to stop its illegal hiring practices, pay civil penalties to any individuals discriminated against, hire victims of discriminatory practices, and compensate applicants who were qualified for a role, but rejected due to citizenship status.

A press release issued by the DOJ urges potential victims to contact federal agencies for more information.

"Asylum seekers and refugees have overcome many obstacles in their lives, and unlawful employment discrimination based on citizenship status. They should not be one of those obstacles," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division in a release.

Clarke also said that through the lawsuit, they will hold SpaceX accountable for illegal employment practices and seek relief that allows asylum seekers and refugees to compete fairly for job opportunities and contribute their talents.

SpaceX has not publicly responded to the complaint. The government alleges SpaceX and some of its employees, including founder and CEO Elon Musk, improperly stated publicly that applicants must be US citizens or lawful permanent residents.

After SpaceX failed to respond to a government investigation launched in 2020, the DOJ subpoenaed the company to obtain previously requested documents.

The investigators found that, in addition to false public statements, SpaceX's internal hiring practices were discriminatory.

Between September 2018 and May 2022, the company used a database that allowed recruiters to view applicants' identity or immigration status, according to the complain.

During that time, the complain states that SpaceX officials repeatedly rejected some candidates using codes that indicated they were not authorized to work for the company, even though they had the opportunity.