Federal government sues UCSD Medical Center over job bias

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit alleging that the UC San Diego Medical Center has discriminated against new employees who are not citizens by requiring them to present more documentation than is required of citizens.

"All workers who are authorized to work in the U.S. have the right to work without encountering discrimination because of their immigration status or national origin," said Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney general in the civil rights division.

A UCSD Medical Center spokeswoman said that the medical center has been working with Department of Justice representatives since January to insure that its employment verification system complies with federal law.

The center no longer requires non-U.S. citizens to present a work permit, the so-called green card, the spokeswoman said. Now, non-citizens are allowed to present either a driver's license or Social Security number, the same as citizens, she said.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court.

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--Tony Perry in San Diego