Apple Inc has agreed to pay $25 million to settle claims by the U.S. Department of Justice that it illegally favored immigrant workers over U.S. citizens and green card holders for certain jobs. The settlement, announced on Thursday, represents the largest ever for the Justice Department involving claims of discrimination based on citizenship.
The Justice Department stated that Apple did not recruit U.S. citizens or permanent residents for jobs that were eligible for a federal program allowing employers to sponsor immigrant workers for green cards. This violates a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on citizenship. As part of the settlement, Apple will pay $6.75 million in civil penalties and $18.25 million to an undisclosed number of affected workers.
Apple issued a statement acknowledging that it had unintentionally failed to follow the DOJ standard. The company outlined its commitment to comply with government requirements and continue hiring American workers as it grows in the U.S.
The Justice Department highlighted Apple’s failure to advertise job openings eligible for the permanent labor certification program on its website, as well as the requirement for paper applications instead of electronic ones for these positions. These recruitment procedures resulted in few or no applications from individuals whose permission to work does not expire, according to the department.
The specific Apple jobs affected by these recruitment procedures were not specified by the Justice Department, nor was it stated how Apple may have benefitted from them. However, it is common for companies to view foreign labor as a cheaper alternative to hiring U.S. workers. Immigrants who rely on their employers for green card sponsorship are often seen as less likely to leave for other job opportunities.
In addition to the financial settlement, Apple has agreed to align its recruiting practices for jobs eligible under the permanent labor certification program with its normal procedures. The company will also be required to conduct more extensive recruitment and provide training on anti-discrimination laws to its employees.
The settlement was reported by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, and edited by Alexia Garamfalvi and Deepa Babington.
