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ARTICLE · 29 AUGUST 2023

SpaceX Hiring Case Shows Export Control, Immigration Law Clash

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SpaceX's recent legal troubles with the Justice Department make it the latest employer to allegedly run afoul of federal immigration law by prioritizing compliance with export control...

United StatesInternational Law
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Authored by Andrew Kreighbaum

  • Musk said jobs limited to citizens, permanent residents
  • Companies can misinterpret definition of 'US person'

SpaceX's recent legal troubles with the Justice Department make it the latest employer to allegedly run afoul of federal immigration law by prioritizing compliance with export control rules to the detriment of antidiscrimination provisions.

The DOJ Aug. 24 filed an administrative lawsuit alleging that Elon Musk's private rocket manufacturer engaged in "routine, widespread, and longstanding" discrimination by refusing to hire asylees and refugees. The company wrongly stated that it could only hire US citizens and lawful permanent residents because of export control laws limiting access to defense and national security-related technologies, the DOJ said.

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