WASHINGTON — The Division of Justice on Thursday filed a lawsuit in opposition to Fb for hiring discrimination in opposition to U.S. employees, within the Trump administration’s newest motion in opposition to giant tech corporations.
Within the grievance, the division’s civil rights division mentioned Fb “refused to recruit, take into account or rent certified and accessible U.S. employees” for greater than 2,600 positions, with a median wage of $156,000. These jobs as a substitute went to immigrant visa holders, in keeping with the grievance.
The motion adopted a two-year investigation into whether or not Fb deliberately favored so-called H1-B visa and different short-term immigrant employees over U.S. employees, the Justice Division mentioned.
“Our message to employees is obvious: If corporations deny employment alternatives by illegally preferring short-term visa holders, the Division of Justice will maintain them accountable,” mentioned Eric S. Dreiband, the assistant legal professional basic for the civil rights division. “Our message to all employers — together with these within the expertise sector — is obvious: You can’t illegally choose to recruit, take into account or rent short-term visa holders over U.S. employees.”
Andy Stone, a Fb spokesman, mentioned, “Fb has been cooperating with the D.O.J. in its overview of this challenge, and whereas we dispute the allegations within the grievance, we can’t remark additional on pending litigation.”
The grievance comes amid a backlash in Washington in opposition to expertise giants, with Google, Fb, Amazon and Apple underneath scrutiny for antitrust violations. Bipartisan anger has mounted lately in opposition to the businesses for knowledge privateness abuses, the unfold of disinformation and different poisonous content material on their platforms, and complaints of anticompetitive practices which have harmed shoppers and small companies.
The go well with provides to Fb’s troubles in Washington. The Federal Commerce Fee and dozens of states are individually getting ready antitrust lawsuits in opposition to Fb for sustaining its energy by previous mergers of nascent opponents, comparable to Instagram and WhatsApp. The F.T.C. and state attorneys basic are anticipated to announce plans for authorized motion quickly, folks briefed on the instances have mentioned.
For years, Mark Zuckerberg, chief govt of Fb, has made preventing for immigrants’ rights to work within the U.S. tech trade a pet challenge. In 2013, he and several other mates created Fwd.us, a nonprofit group that pushed for an overhaul of immigration legal guidelines and stumped for relieving the immigration course of for tech employees.
Cecilia Kang reported from Washington, and Mike Isaac from San Francisco.
It is a creating story. Examine again for updates.
