“Lawsuit says Musk's Tesla hires visa holders instead of Americans so it can pay less”

…Tesla…was accused in a lawsuit on Friday of favoring visa holders over Americans when making employment decisions so it can pay less.

According to a proposed class action filed in San Francisco federal court, Tesla violates federal civil rights law through its "systematic preference" to hire visa holders, and fire U.S. citizens at disproportionate rates compared with visa holders…

Tesla…did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The lawsuit was brought by software engineer Scott Taub and human resources specialist Sofia Brander, who said Tesla refused to hire them after learning they would not need sponsorship for employment…

"While visa workers make up just a fraction of the United States labor market, Tesla prefers to hire these candidates over U.S. citizens, as it can pay visa-dependent employees less than American employees performing the same work, a practice in the industry known as 'wage theft,'" the complaint said.

It is unclear how the plaintiffs plan to show Tesla's alleged systemic discrimination in hirings and firings.

Daniel Kotchen, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, declined additional comment…