A legal group co-founded by Stephen Miller, who was a key figure in shaping immigration policies during the Trump administration, has filed a federal civil rights complaint against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The complaint, submitted to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by America First Legal, accuses the Dodgers of unlawful discrimination while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The lawsuit was filed on Monday and publicly reported on Wednesday. It also names Guggenheim Partners, the Dodgers’ ownership group, and several employee support networks, including the Black Action Network and Women’s Opportunity Network. The Dodgers have not commented on the complaint.
America First claims that the Dodgers have violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. The complaint comes shortly after the Dodgers made headlines for refusing to allow federal immigration authorities to use their stadium parking lots for immigration raids. Following this decision, the team pledged $1 million to help families impacted by these raids.
The lawsuit argues that the Dodgers’ DEI efforts, which include programs targeted at women and people of color, amount to illegal discriminatory practices. America First highlighted the Dodgers’ commitment to fostering a workplace culture that values diverse voices and experiences. The group specifically criticized a mission statement on the Dodgers’ website that outlines their goals for diversity and community engagement.
The complaint also mentions Mark Walter, the Dodgers’ majority owner, referring to him as a “social-justice advocate.” This has drawn attention to the Dodgers’ initiatives aimed at supporting racial and social justice.
America First Legal has previously targeted other organizations for their diversity efforts, including major companies like IBM and Johnson & Johnson. The Dodgers’ situation reflects a growing trend of legal challenges against organizations that implement DEI strategies.
In response to the lawsuit, Calvin Abbasi from PICO California, a group that has urged the Dodgers to take a stronger stance for immigrant rights, criticized the complaint as an act of retaliation. He stated that the Dodgers’ commitment to diversity and community support should not be punished and called the legal action a chilling display of power against inclusion.
As the situation develops, the Dodgers are likely to face increased scrutiny over their DEI initiatives and their broader impact on the community they serve.