Tyson Foods, a leading name in the U.S. food industry and the largest poultry producer, is currently navigating a series of complaints regarding its employment practices, specifically concerning the hiring of migrant workers. These allegations have been brought forward by America First Legal (AFL), a conservative nonprofit group spearheaded by Stephen Miller, former senior advisor to Donald Trump, and Matthew Whitaker, a former U.S. acting attorney general.
AFL has formally lodged complaints with several significant bodies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Department of Justice, and the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. These complaints allege serious violations, encompassing citizenship discrimination, racial discrimination, and breaches of child labor laws. The core of the accusation is that Tyson Foods is showing preference towards hiring migrant workers over American citizens, a claim that has ignited a significant debate and drawn considerable media attention.
Tyson Foods has firmly refuted these allegations. In a statement to Newsweek, a company spokesperson declared, “Any insinuation that we would discriminate against Americans to hire immigrant workers is completely false.” The company emphasized its commitment to legal and ethical hiring practices, stating that all of its 120,000 U.S. team members are legally authorized to work in the country. Furthermore, Tyson Foods asserted its strong opposition to illegal immigration and clarified its policy of hiring only individuals aged 18 and above for facility roles. This response comes in the wake of similar accusations in March, triggered by a retracted news article that incorrectly claimed Tyson Foods was actively recruiting asylum-seekers in New York.
Gene Hamilton, AFL’s general counsel and executive director, remains unconvinced by Tyson’s denials. He stated that “the American people can decide for themselves” regarding the validity of the complaints. Hamilton suggested that evidence indicates a “strong bias against American citizens and towards easily manipulable labor.” He further alluded to the Biden administration’s immigration policies, implying they have created a workforce of migrants with work permits who are less likely to voice concerns about working conditions, thus appealing to employers seeking docile labor.
The complaints filed by AFL outline several key allegations: violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination against American citizens in hiring practices, and violation of laws designed to prevent child labor in meatpacking plants and slaughterhouses. Adding further pressure, AFL has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King and the company’s board, demanding adherence to federal employment, immigration, and securities laws.
Reed D. Rubinstein, AFL Senior Vice President, articulated the organization’s stance, stating, “transnational pretensions are not a license to discriminate against whites, men, or American citizens; neither does economic power justify policies and practices that undermine or circumvent our immigration and child labor laws.” AFL argues there is “ample reason” to believe Tyson is employing migrants without proper legal authorization, referencing a Bloomberg report from March. This report quoted a Tyson spokesperson stating the company’s desire to hire an additional 42,000 workers if available. Bloomberg also reported that approximately 42,000 of Tyson’s current U.S. workforce are immigrants with work authorization, representing over a third of its total employees.
In response to the earlier boycott calls and migrant worker claims, Tyson Foods directed Newsweek to fact-checks conducted by the Associated Press and other news outlets. The AP confirmed, citing Tyson, that while 42,000 employees are non-citizens with work authorization, the company attributed the spokesperson’s comments about seeking to hire more immigrants to a misstatement. Despite this, Bloomberg has stood by its original reporting. Hamilton from AFL further contested the 42,000 figure, stating it “says nothing about the composition of the subcontractors it uses,” suggesting a broader issue within Tyson’s labor sourcing.
Adding another layer to the controversy is Tyson Foods’ involvement with the Tent Partnership for Refugees. This network aims to connect refugees with employment opportunities. Tent Partnership’s website indicates that Tyson Foods pledged in 2022 to hire 2,500 refugees in the U.S. over three years. Additionally, Tyson’s 2023 goals included mentoring refugee women, Hispanic refugees, and Afghan refugees in various U.S. cities.
Tyson Foods is a dominant force in the U.S. food market, responsible for approximately 20 percent of the nation’s beef, pork, and chicken production. Its prominent brands include Tyson, Jimmy Dean, and Hillshire Farm. The company’s website reports a substantial $53 billion in sales for the 2022 fiscal year, with beef and chicken sales constituting the largest portions. The ongoing scrutiny surrounding its hiring practices and the allegations of prioritizing migrant workers are likely to continue drawing attention to Tyson Foods and the broader debate around labor and immigration in the United States.
