In a recent development, a federal judge has granted a reprieve to SpaceX, ruling against the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) lawsuit accusing the company of hiring discrimination against asylum recipients and refugees. The DOJ had filed an administrative lawsuit against SpaceX in August, claiming that the company actively discouraged asylees and refugees from applying for jobs, in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The lawsuit cited comments made by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, as well as the company’s job postings, as evidence. However, SpaceX has denied any wrongdoing and filed a countersuit in September, arguing that the administrative case was unconstitutional.
Judge Rolando Olvera, of the Southern District of Texas, has blocked the DOJ’s suit from moving forward, pending the conclusion of SpaceX’s lawsuit. The judge ruled that the administrative law judges, appointed by the attorney general, had overstepped their legal authority by exercising powers that should be reserved for officials appointed by the president.
SpaceX’s legal reprieve comes as a significant victory for the company. The DOJ’s allegations of hiring discrimination against asylum recipients and refugees have been put on hold, leaving the agency’s next steps uncertain.
The DOJ’s lawsuit claimed that SpaceX unlawfully discouraged asylum recipients and refugees from applying for jobs, citing a flawed interpretation of export control laws that restrict access to sensitive technologies. The company, in both job postings and public remarks, asserted that it could only hire U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.
In a post on Twitter in 2020, Musk stated that “US law requires at least a green card to be hired at SpaceX, as rockets are considered advanced weapons technology.” This statement was included in the DOJ’s lawsuit, along with references to export control rules and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
SpaceX, known for its ambitious space projects, recently launched its 29th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station. The company’s Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket successfully took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
It remains to be seen what the DOJ’s next move will be in pursuing legal recourse against SpaceX for the alleged hiring discrimination. SpaceX has not yet commented on the judge’s ruling, while the DOJ has chosen to stay silent on the matter.
In conclusion, the federal judge’s decision to block the DOJ’s lawsuit against SpaceX has provided the company with a legal reprieve. The allegations of hiring discrimination against asylum recipients and refugees will be put on hold until the conclusion of SpaceX’s own lawsuit. This development highlights the ongoing legal battle between SpaceX and the DOJ, raising questions about the interpretation of export control laws and their impact on hiring practices in the aerospace industry.
