Panda Express Fined $400,000 for Immigration Discrimination Practices
WASHINGTON D.C. – In a shocking revelation, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc., the parent company of Panda Express, has been fined $400,000 by the U.S. government for allegedly discriminating against non-U.S. citizen workers.
The investigation, led by the U.S. government, concluded that Panda Express had a requirement for non-U.S. citizen workers to reverify their work authorization, while U.S. citizen workers were not subject to the same requirement when their documents expired.
The investigation also found that Panda Express routinely requested immigration documents from non-U.S. citizen workers to reverify their work authorization, despite already having sufficient documentation.
The U.S. government alleges that these practices are a clear violation of the antidiscrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which prohibits employers from discriminating against workers based on their immigration status, citizenship, or nationality.
Panda Express has agreed to pay $400,000 in civil penalties, establish a $200,000 fund to compensate workers who lost wages due to the company’s practices, and provide training to its human resources staff on the requirements of the INA antidiscrimination provision.
The U.S. government has also placed Panda Express under supervision and requires the company to submit regular reports.
“Employers must ensure that their reverification practices comply with the laws that protect workers from discrimination,” said Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler, of the Civil Rights Division. “The U.S. government commends Panda Express for its cooperation during the investigation and for its commitment to compensating workers who lost wages due to its document practices.”
Workers who are non-U.S. citizens and have authorization to work and lost wages due to Panda Express’ practices between May 31, 2014, and June 28, 2017, may be eligible for retroactive payments. For more information, email IER.PEclaims@usdoj.gov.
Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. (Panda Express), a chain of restaurants with over 1,800 locations in the United States, has been fined $400,000 by the U.S. government for allegedly discriminating against non-U.S. citizen workers.
Panda Express has agreed to pay civil penalties of $400,000, establish a fund to compensate workers who lost wages due to the company’s practices, and provide training to its human resources staff.
The U.S. government has also placed Panda Express under supervision and requires the company to submit regular reports.
Defendant: Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. (Panda Express)
Crime: Immigration Discrimination
City, State: Washington D.C.
Date: Not specified
Sentence: Fined $400,000, established a $200,000 fund for worker compensation, and placed under supervision
Dollar Amount: $400,000 (civil penalties), $200,000 (worker compensation fund)
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: White Collar Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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