A California-based tech recruiting firm, Epik Solutions, has been fined by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for illegally discriminating against American workers in favor of foreign employees on H-1B visas.
DOJ Action Against Discrimination in Hiring
This marks the first settlement under the renewed “Protecting US Workers Initiative”, a federal program aimed at protecting job opportunities for American citizens.
According to the DOJ’s investigation, Epik Solutions violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by publishing job advertisements that excluded U.S. citizens and prioritized H-1B visa holders.
The company’s hiring practices were found to be in direct violation of U.S. employment laws, which strictly prohibit hiring discrimination based on nationality.
Penalty and Corrective Actions
As part of the settlement, Epik Solutions must:
Pay a civil penalty of $71,916 (approx. ₹60 lakh) to the U.S. government
Update its hiring and recruitment policies
Undergo training on employment compliance
Stop posting job ads that exclude U.S. citizens
DOJ Emphasizes Protection of American Workers
Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, said:
“Protecting American workers from unlawful discrimination in favor of foreign visa workers is a top priority… The days of the federal government looking the other way on American workforce protection are over.”
This action reflects a renewed commitment by the federal government to ensure American workers are not unfairly excluded from job opportunities.
About Epik Solutions
Epik Solutions describes itself as a next-generation digital and workforce transformation company, offering services in:
Website & mobile app development
Digital marketing
SEO, social media marketing, and email marketing
Online reputation management
Workforce management solutions
According to its website, the company has over 150 professionals specializing in development, marketing, and recruitment services.
