The Justice Department has reached a settlement with Great Dane LLC, resolving allegations of immigration-related discrimination at its Wayne, Nebraska plant. The department found that Great Dane violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by requiring non-U.S. citizens to provide additional and unnecessary documentation to verify their work authorization.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated, “It is unlawful for employers to add discriminatory barriers in the hiring process because of a worker’s citizenship or immigration status.” She emphasized the department's commitment to protecting workers from such discriminatory practices.
The investigation began following a complaint from a lawful permanent resident who was asked for extra documents despite having already provided sufficient proof of work authorization. The department determined that Great Dane not only failed to hire non-U.S. citizens who could not meet these demands but also discriminated against current employees by asking them for unnecessary proof of their right to work.
Lawful permanent residents are protected under the INA from discrimination when verifying their work eligibility and do not need to present a Permanent Resident Card or prove their immigration status. The department has released a fact sheet outlining these protections and how affected individuals can seek assistance.
As part of the settlement, Great Dane will pay $218,000 in civil penalties and establish an equal amount as a backpay fund for victims of its discriminatory practices. Additionally, the company is required to train its staff on anti-discrimination requirements under the INA, revise employment policies, and undergo monitoring by the department.
The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) enforces antidiscrimination provisions related to citizenship status and national origin in employment practices. Individuals who believe they have faced discrimination can contact IER through various channels including email at IER@usdoj.gov or by calling 1-800-255-7688.
