The Justice Department has reached a settlement agreement with Sunrise Senior Living Management Inc., the operator of Sunrise at Fox Hill in Bethesda, Maryland, to address allegations of employment discrimination. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the department's commitment to upholding the law regarding discrimination based on citizenship, immigration status, or national origin, stating, "The Justice Department will continue to hold employers accountable for unlawfully discriminating against workers because of citizenship, immigration status or national origin."
Following an investigation prompted by a worker's complaint, the Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) found that Sunrise Senior Living had violated the Immigration and Nationality Act by discriminating against a worker granted asylum. The facility had rejected the valid document provided by the worker and requested an unnecessary immigration document to prove her authorization to work in the United States.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sunrise Senior Living will pay a civil penalty, provide training on the INA’s requirements to its human resources staff, and be subject to monitoring by the Justice Department. The facility has also reinstated the affected worker and compensated her for lost wages after she sought assistance through IER’s worker hotline.
IER, which enforces the anti-discrimination provision of the INA, assists numerous workers annually who face barriers to employment due to unjust document demands or rejection of valid work documentation. Employers are reminded that federal law allows workers to choose appropriate documentation to verify their identity and work authorization, irrespective of their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin.
Employers seeking guidance on avoiding discrimination in employment verification processes can visit IER’s website for more information. Individuals who believe they have faced discrimination based on citizenship, immigration status, or national origin can file a charge or contact IER for assistance through various channels provided on their English and Spanish websites.
The Justice Department's action underscores the importance of compliance with federal laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace and serves as a reminder to employers to uphold the rights of all workers regardless of their background.