HAWTHRONE, CALIFORNIA: On August 24, the US Justice Department initiated legal action by filing a lawsuit against SpaceX, the rocket company led by billionaire Elon Musk.

The lawsuit alleges that SpaceX engaged in discriminatory hiring practices against refugees and asylum seekers.

The lawsuit claims that from at least September 2018 to May 2022, SpaceX systematically discouraged refugees and asylum seekers from applying for positions and even declined to consider or hire them based on their citizenship status.

For how long is Elon Musk’s SpaceX hiring protocol under investigation?

This civil lawsuit against Elon Musk’s SpaceX follows over two years of investigation by the Justice Department, which was initiated in response to a complaint regarding SpaceX's alleged discrimination against non-US citizens during their hiring process.

The BBC contacted SpaceX for comment.

Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, "Our investigation found that SpaceX failed to fairly consider or hire asylees and refugees because of their citizenship status and imposed what amounted to a ban on their hire regardless of their qualification, in violation of federal law."

In light of the ongoing legal action, Clarke added that "SpaceX recruiters and high-level officials took actions that actively discouraged asylees and refugees from seeking work opportunities at the company."

What does Twitter have to say about SpaceX CEO’s decision?

One user said, “Biden's DOJ is suing SpaceX for not hiring more refugees. In other words, it demands SpaceX hire fewer Americans! But national security laws require that rocket companies hire Americans. This lawsuit is so nonsensical it suggests a political motivation."

On the same post, users rushed to the comment section to voice their opinions.

A user wrote, "Just a snip from an aerospace company’s job posting I wanted to share. And this is mandatory for any government contractor whom is contracted to supply components or end items on military aircraft, ships, rockets etc.. so you DOJ! it ain’t happening!"

Another wrote, "More proof that the people running our country are anti American and corrupt as hell."

While one user commented, "I think it does more than "suggest" Sacks, seems pretty overt to me", another said, "We need to get rid of these terrible politicians. They are the worst."