Meta’s Legal Hurdles Continue
Tuesday’s ruling represents a major setback for Meta, as the judge also refused to strike the portions of the lawsuit related to the DOJ’s prior case. Judge Beeler found that the government’s allegations of hiring bias were relevant, particularly since Meta’s reliance on H-1B workers has reportedly increased since 2013.
While the tech industry has long relied on H-1B visas to fill specialized roles, critics argue that some companies abuse the program to secure lower-cost labor. This lawsuit could set a precedent for how hiring discrimination cases involving citizenship status are handled moving forward.
What’s Next?
With the case now advancing, the plaintiffs are eager to prove their claims in court.
“I’m pleased that the court recognized that the claims should go forward and hope that the lawsuit will help remedy the favoritism towards visa workers that is common in the tech industry,” said Daniel Low of Kotchen & Low LLP, who represents the plaintiffs.
Meta has not yet publicly responded to the ruling.
As the legal battle continues, the case could have sweeping implications for how major tech firms approach hiring—and whether American citizens face unfair competition from visa workers within their own country.
