India-West News Desk

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Tesla is facing a federal class-action lawsuit accusing the electric vehicle company of favoring H-1B visa holders over U.S. citizens in hiring and firing decisions.

The complaint, filed September 12, alleges that Tesla systematically prioritizes visa-dependent workers to lower labor costs, in violation of federal civil rights laws.

Software engineer Scott Taub and human resources specialist Sofia Brander, both U.S. citizens, are the lead plaintiffs. They claim Tesla rejected their applications after realizing they did not require visa sponsorship.

Taub said one role was designated “H-1B only,” while Brander, a former Tesla contractor, said she was denied interviews despite her experience.

“Tesla prefers visa workers over Americans because it can pay them less for the same work,” the lawsuit states.

The case highlights Tesla’s heavy reliance on H-1B visas. In 2024, the company reportedly hired about 1,355 visa workers while laying off more than 6,000 U.S.-based employees, the majority of whom were citizens.

The complaint also references a December 2024 post by CEO Elon Musk, calling H-1B visas “critical” for Tesla and SpaceX.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for U.S. applicants and employees affected by Tesla’s alleged hiring and firing practices. If certified as a class action, it could include a large number of current and former workers.

Tesla has not responded to requests for comment.