Apple DOJ Settlement Resolves Hiring Discrimination Claims

In a recent development, Apple reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. Under the Apple DOJ settlement, the company agreed to pay $25 million to resolve allegations that it favored immigrant workers over U.S. citizens and green card holders for certain job positions. The Justice Department announced the settlement in November.

According to the agency, Apple failed to properly recruit U.S. citizens or permanent residents for roles eligible under a federal program that allows employers to sponsor immigrant workers for green cards. The Justice Department stated that this conduct violated federal law, which prohibits discrimination based on citizenship.

Justice Department Findings

The settlement represents the largest resolution ever reached by the Justice Department involving claims of citizenship‑based discrimination. Under its terms, Apple must pay $6.75 million in civil penalties. In addition, the company will allocate $18.25 million to compensate affected workers.

Apple responded by acknowledging that it did not fully comply with Department of Justice standards. The company stated that the violations were unintentional and emphasized its commitment to addressing the issue. Apple also confirmed that it has adopted a remediation plan to meet government requirements while continuing to hire U.S. workers and support domestic growth.

PERM Recruitment Practices

According to the Justice Department, Apple did not advertise certain job openings that qualified for the permanent labor certification, or PERM, program. The PERM program allows employers to sponsor immigrant workers for green cards. Unlike its usual practice of posting positions online, Apple did not list these specific roles on its website.

Additionally, the company required applicants for PERM‑eligible positions to submit paper applications. This differed from Apple’s standard electronic application process. The Justice Department stated that these less effective recruitment methods often resulted in few or no applications from workers whose employment authorization does not expire.

Settlement Requirements

The settlement did not identify specific Apple job positions or quantify any benefits the company may have gained. However, it noted concerns related to recruitment practices and their impact on eligible workers.

Beyond the financial payment, Apple agreed to align its PERM recruitment procedures with its standard hiring practices. These changes include expanded recruitment efforts and training for employees on federal anti‑discrimination laws, as outlined in the settlement agreement.

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At Margaret Wong & Associates, we believe in educating our community and keeping people informed about important legal and policy developments. By sharing updates like the Apple DOJ settlement, we aim to provide clear, accessible information that helps readers better understand how employment and immigration laws are applied in practice. For more news and informational updates, please visit our news page.