Samuel Akwasi Fordjour, Petitioner, v. United States Department of Justice; Executive Office Ofimmigration Review; Office of the Chiefadministrative Hearing Officer; Generaldynamics Corporation, Respondents, 959 F.2d 240 (9th Cir. 1992)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Samuel Akwasi Fordjour petitions pro se for review of a decision by an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") for the Executive Office of Immigration Review dismissing Fordjour's action against General Dynamics Corporation for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. Fordjour's action alleged employment discrimination based on national origin and citizenship status pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a) (1) (A) & (B). We have jurisdiction pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(i) (1) and deny the petition for review.

* Background

In 1988, Fordjour was offered a position as a submarine painter at General Dynamics' Electric Boat Division ("GDEB") in Connecticut. On his application for employment, Fordjour stated that, if employed, he could provide proof of United States citizenship. At the time, GDEB was involved in a labor dispute and was recruiting replacement workers nationwide, offering a relocation package as an inducement to the new workers.

Fordjour relocated to Connecticut from California and reported to GDEB on December 12, 1988. Fordjour was not allowed to work because he could not produce proof of citizenship, a United States Navy requirement for working in the submarine area. GDEB reimbursed Fordjour's travel and other related expenses, and Fordjour returned to California. Fordjour alleges that at the time, a representative of GDEB assured him that he would not need to reapply and would be given a painting job and paid relocation expenses once he obtained proof of citizenship.

On December 30, 1988, Fordjour filed an employment discrimination claim with the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices ("OSC"). Fordjour alleges that he never received any letter of determination regarding this charge from the OSC.

In May of 1989, Fordjour received his citizenship, but alleges GDEB did not hire him when he contacted GDEB in June of 1989. In September 1989, Fordjour filed a second charge with the OSC. On January 24, 1990, the OSC declined to file a complaint with the ALJ for the Executive Office of Immigration Review, but informed Fordjour that he could file his own complaint with the ALJ within 90 days.

On April 23, 1990, Fordjour filed a complaint with the ALJ alleging employment discrimination based on national origin and on citizenship status pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(1) (A) & (B) stemming from his denial of employment in December 1988 and in June 1989. The ALJ dismissed Fordjour's complaint finding the following: (1) the ALJ lacked jurisdiction over Fordjour's claim of discrimination based on national origin; (2) Fordjour's complaint was untimely as to the December 1988 claim of discrimination; and (3) Fordjour had failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted as to the June 1989 claim because Fordjour had not applied for the position of painter at GDEB after obtaining his citizenship in May of 1989. Fordjour timely appeals.

II

Merits

First, while 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a) (1) (A) & (B) prohibits discrimination based on national origin or citizenship status, section 1324b(a) (2) (B) exempts claims of "national origin" discrimination against entities which are covered under 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2. See 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a) (2) (B). Because GDEB is such an entity, Fordjour's section 1324b(a) (1) (A) claim of discrimination based on national origin must fail. See id.

Second, Fordjour's complaint was untimely as to the December 1988 claim of discrimination because he failed to file his complaint with the ALJ within the prescribed time period. See 28 C.F.R. § 44.303(c) (1) (if OSC declines to file a complaint or fails to file a complaint within 120 days, charging party may file the complaint within 90 days of the expiration of the 120-day period); 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(d) (2) (1990).¹  Moreover, Fordjour's second filing of charges with the OSC in September 1989 was untimely as to any immigration-related employment discrimination occurring in December of 1988. See 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(d) (3) (" [n]o complaint may be filed respecting any unfair immigration-related employment practice occurring more than 180 days prior to the date of the filing of the charge with the [OSC]").

Finally, it is clear from Fordjour's complaint and from the record that he did not renew his application for employment after receiving his citizenship in May of 1989. Given these circumstances, the ALJ did not err by determining that Fordjour had failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted.

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.