Washington University settles with feds over immigration discrimination claim

The U.S. Justice Department has reached a settlement with Washington University in St. Louis about claims of immigration-related discrimination. 

The settlement involves allegations that Wash U’s School of Medicine discriminated against a worker based on his citizenship status and then reportedly retaliated against him for complaining about the discrimination. 

The Civil Rights Division said it determined that the man had been granted asylum when the school repeatedly confronted him about his immigration status, even though he had provided sufficient proof of his permission to work. 

A U.S. Justice Department news release says the man was terminated for complaining. 

Under the settlement, the school must pay civil penalties and pay backpay to the affected worker, along with training workers on federal antidiscrimination requirements, among other things.