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2.0

DOJ drops lawsuit against SpaceX for discriminatory hiring practices against immigrants

  1. Original Date Announced

    February 24, 2025

    The DOJ moved to dismiss with prejudice a lawsuit against Space X filed with the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO).

    The lawsuit, which was originally filed in 2023, alleged that the company had violated anti-discrimination provisions of the INA by discouraging refugees and asylees from applying to work there. United States v. Space Exploration Technologies Corp., 18 OCAHO no. 1499b. After the complaint was filed by DOJ with OCAHO in 2023, SpaceX received a preliminary injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, staying the OCAHO proceedings based on arguments challenging the constitutionality of administrative law judges.

    The DOJ moved to temporarily lift the stay on February 20, 2025, to allow the government to move to dismiss the OCAHO case, which was granted. Space Exploration Technologies Corp. v. Bell, 1:23-cv-00137 (S.D. Tex. Feb. 28, 2025).

    On February 21, 2025, the DOJ filed a motion to dismiss with prejudice the OCAHO complaint.

    **Litigation entries are limited to initial complaints and major substantive rulings. For pleadings and additional information, use name and docket number to search Civil Rights Clearinghouse and CourtListener or visit Just Security Litigation Tracker**

    Trump 2.0 [ID# 1591]

    2025.02.20 Unopposed Motion to Lift Preliminary Injunction for Limited Purpose - SpaceX v. Bell
  2. Effective Date

    February 24, 2025
  3. Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)

    • February 24, 2025

      2025.02.24 OCAHO Order Confirming Dismissal - United States v. SpaceX

      Administrative Law Judge Carol A. Bell of the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO) granted the DOJ's motion to dismiss the complaint with prejudice on February 24, 2025. United States v. Space Exploration Technologies Corp., 18 OCAHO no. 1499b.

      *See litigation note above.*

      View Document
    • February 28, 2025

      2025.03.03 Order Granting Dismissal - SpaceX v. Bell

      The District Court for the Southern District of Texas dismissed SpaceX's suit against the OCAHO as moot on March 3, 2025. Space Exploration Technologies Corp. v. Bell, 1:23-cv-00137 (S.D. Tex. Feb. 28, 2025).

      *See litigation note above.*

      View Document

Current Status

None

Original Trump Policy Status

Trump Administration Action: Adjudication
Agencies Affected: DOJ EOIR

Pre Trump-Era Policies

Commentary

  • DOJ moves to drop discrimination suit against Musk's SpaceX - Axios

    Axios reports that the DOJ's move to drop the case against SpaceX was one of the first to be formally dropped under President Trump.

    Go to article

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