Soap Manufacturer Pays $130,000 to Settle Immigration Bias Claim

A California soap and lotions manufacturer agreed to pay $130,000 in civil penalties as part of a settlement to resolve claims that the company discriminated against non-citizen employees, the Department of Justice announced.

A DOJ investigation determined that Huntington Beach, Calif.-based Home and Body Co. routinely required lawful permanent residents to present specific documentation to prove their work eligibility, the agency announced Thursday.

Employers are prohibited under the Immigration and Nationality Act from asking for specific or unnecessary documents based on a worker’s citizenship or immigration status. Non-US citizens are allowed to present several types of documents, including a driver’s ...