US fines tech firm $313K for bias against American job seekers
Company accused of favouring foreign visa holders in over 50 job postings
image for illustrative purpose
Washington: The US Justice Department has secured a $313,420 settlement with New Jersey-based Compunnel Software Group Inc. over allegations that its recruiters discrim-inated against American workers in job advertisements.
The department’s Civil Rights Division said the company violated the Immigra-tion and Nationality Act by posting vacancies that discouraged US citizens and permanent residents while favouring candidates on H-1B and other temporary vi-sas.
“It’s illegal to discourage US workers from applying for American jobs,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, adding that employers cannot exclude workers based on citizenship status.
Under the settlement, Compunnel will pay $58,000 in back pay to a US citizen who was denied consideration for a Python developer role. It will also pay $255,420 in civil penalties. Federal investigators found “reasonable cause” to believe the company engaged in a pattern of discriminatory recruitment practices, including job postings and internal communications specifying preference for certain visa holders. At least ten recruiters were involved, and more than 50 job ads carried such restrictions.
The agreement requires the firm to overhaul its hiring practices, ensuring no dis-crimination based on citizenship without legal justification. It must conduct man-datory training for recruitment staff, revise policies, and inform workers of their rights. Compunnel will also monitor compliance and report to federal authorities over a two-year period. The Justice Department said the case is part of its renewed enforcement push un-der the Protecting US Workers Initiative, relaunched in 2025.
