May 29, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – America First Legal’s (AFL) Center for Legal Equality has filed a series of complaints against Tyson Foods, citing potential violations of laws related to citizenship discrimination, racial discrimination, and child labor. The complaints have been submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and an Iowa state agency.
In addition to these filings, AFL has issued a cease and desist letter to Tyson’s CEO and Board of Directors demanding adherence to federal employment, immigration, and securities laws.
AFL's concerns are tied to what they describe as "shocking evidence" of significant legal violations. The organization criticizes the Biden Administration’s immigration policies, asserting that they have adversely affected American workers and communities. AFL alleges that large corporations like Tyson have supported these immigration actions for their benefit.
According to AFL, there is reason to believe that Tyson prefers hiring non-citizens over American citizens throughout its labor supply chain. The evidence cited includes Tyson's commitment in 2023 to mentor fifty "refugee women," fifty "Hispanic refugees," and fifty "Afghan refugees" in Northwest Arkansas and across the United States.
In its annual Sustainability Report, Tyson President & CEO Donnie King highlighted the company’s diversity goals, which include continuing efforts to hire immigrants. King stated that since 2020, the company has dedicated over $2.4 million to support U.S. citizenship for immigrant employees.
AFL argues that such services provided exclusively to foreign employees discriminate against American workers by altering the national origin composition of Tyson's workforce unlawfully.
Furthermore, AFL points out that Tyson’s Security and Exchange Commission filings indicate consideration of race, sex, and national origin in executive compensation decisions and board appointments.
Reed D. Rubinstein, Senior Vice President at America First Legal, emphasized their stance: “Perhaps Tyson’s leaders consider themselves global citizens who live and work in the United States by happenstance. That is their right. But transnational pretensions are not a license to discriminate against whites, men, or American citizens; neither does economic power justify policies and practices that undermine or circumvent our immigration and child labor laws."
Rubinstein added: "Our citizens and consumers deserve companies that put America and her people first; AFL will not stop fighting for this cause.”