OpenAI and its former subsidiary Statsig have reached a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division that places their hiring processes under three years of oversight. The agreement centers on how the companies handled roles tied to permanent residence sponsorship for immigrant employees.
According to the DOJ, the companies did not adequately open certain positions to qualified U.S. citizens before moving forward with permanent residence-related hiring steps. The agency said the process involved limited job visibility and application methods that reduced access for domestic candidates. OpenAI and Statsig did not admit wrongdoing, but they agreed to pay $3.2 million.
Of that amount, $1.2 million is designated as a penalty, while $2 million has been reserved for possible restitution if impacted U.S. applicants are identified. The settlement also requires the companies to submit PERM hiring policies for approval and provide semi-annual reports detailing application and interview data.
The DOJ said the review covers fewer than 10 roles, yet it reflects a broader effort to strengthen compliance in hiring systems used by major technology companies. OpenAI acquired Statsig in 2025 and later separated part of the business in 2026, while the investigation had already begun earlier that year.
This case highlights how advanced tech firms are being asked to pair innovation with transparent workforce practices, a shift that may shape more accountable hiring standards across the digital economy in the years ahead.
