The U.S. Justice Department announced it would dismiss its case against SpaceX, which was accused of discriminating based on citizenship in hiring. In a motion filed in Texas, the department stated it would seek a dismissal with prejudice, preventing future charges. The original case, filed on August 23, 2023, alleged SpaceX unfairly considered refugees and asylees for jobs and discouraged their applications. Elon Musk claimed export control laws restricted hiring non-citizens, a position the Justice Department rejected. The rationale for dropping the case was not provided. This situation continues to develop and further updates are expected.
On Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department announced it would drop the case against Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which had been accused of discriminating based on citizenship status.
In a motion that received no opposition and was submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, the Justice Department expressed its intention to file a notice of dismissal with prejudice, indicating that these charges cannot be refiled in the future.
The motion did not specify the reasons behind the case’s dismissal.
The Justice Department initially charged SpaceX on August 23, 2023, for allegedly violating federal hiring laws.
According to the department, SpaceX failed to give fair consideration to job applications from refugees and individuals granted asylum in the U.S. The department claimed that SpaceX dissuaded refugees and asylees from applying, rejected qualified applicants, and consistently denied opportunities based on citizenship status.
At the time, Mr. Musk remarked that SpaceX had been informed it could only hire U.S. citizens or permanent residents due to export control laws. He commented on X, “This is yet another case of weaponization of the DOJ for political purposes.”
However, the Justice Department disagreed, stating that export control laws imposed no such limitations.
This story is developing and will be updated.