Meta Must Face Lawsuit Alleging Preference for Cheaper Foreign Workers

The legal system has mandated that Meta Platforms face a class-action lawsuit showing how they use hiring practices that favor overseas workers instead of American citizens. US Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler gave the green light to three US citizens who filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms because new evidence shows possible hiring discrimination.

The litigants Purushothaman Rajaram, Ekta Bhatia, and Qun Wang assert Meta automatically rejected their employment applications during 2020-2024 because hire preference goes to visa holders. The lawsuit proves solid with evidence showing Meta hires 15% foreign H-1B employees in the US when only 0.5% of workers in the country hold these visas. The court pointed out Meta previously settled with the government by paying $14.25 million after it was discovered the company regularly rejected US citizens in favor of visa holders.

Meta maintains the lawsuit arguments lack validity according to their position. Through this lawsuit, the plaintiffs seek to improve how tech companies hire by fighting Visa worker preference. The legal fight between the government and Meta shows how different industries still struggle with their use and treatment of immigrants and workers in their workforce.

Meta Lawsuit Details

• Case: Rajaram et al v Meta Platforms Inc
• Court: US District Court, Northern District of California
• Case Number: No. 22-02920

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