Republican Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio has raised concerns that companies are prioritizing hiring migrant workers over U.S. citizens, potentially violating federal law. Senator Vance’s letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) requests information on whether the DOJ is fulfilling its duty to protect American workers from employment practices that favor non-citizens. The letter highlights reports of companies, such as Tyson Foods, actively recruiting and hiring asylum seekers for jobs, although they are not protected under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The INA prohibits hiring decisions based on an American job seeker’s citizenship status and requires protections for U.S. citizens in hiring processes. Senator Vance questions whether companies’ hiring quotas align with this mandate. The letter inquires about ongoing investigations into companies using refugee hiring quotas unlawfully and urges the IER to initiate investigations if they have not yet.
