In a lawsuit filed Thursday, the Justice Department said SpaceX routinely discriminated against job applicants between 2018 and 2022 in violation of US immigration laws.
The lawsuit alleged that Musk and other SpaceX officials alleged that due to export control laws governing the transfer of sensitive technology, the company is only allowed to hire US citizens and permanent residents.
In a message dated June 16, 2020, Musk wrote, “U.S. law requires at least a green card to work at SpaceX, since rockets are advanced weapons technology.”
In fact, US export control laws do not impose such restrictions, according to the Department of Justice.
These laws limit the transfer of sensitive technology to foreign organizations, but do not prevent high-tech companies like SpaceX from hiring job applicants who have been granted refugee or asylum status in the United States.
People need special permission.
“Under these laws, companies such as SpaceX can also recruit asylum seekers and refugees for positions where they recruit U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents,” the ministry said in a statement.