Kenni Miller, a former shift manager at Sheetz in Altoona, Pennsylvania, joined a class-action lawsuit with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The case focused on allegations that Sheetz’s criminal background checks disproportionately affected applicants of color.
After becoming the President, Donald Trump’s administration ordered federal agencies to deprioritize cases that involved unintentional discriminatory practices. This policy shift led to the EEOC dropping Mr. Miller’s case without proceeding further.
Mr. Miller described his initial experience at Sheetz positively. As a Black man, he felt trusted and appreciated. This changed when a background check led to his unexpected dismissal in 2020 due to a teenage conviction. Despite proving his capabilities, the past conviction became a barrier.
Legal advocates note that Mr. Miller’s case is not isolated. Since the federal policy shift, many civil rights cases related to unintentional discrimination have been abandoned. This includes actions within departments like education, housing, trade, justice, and the EEOC.
The exact number of closed cases remains unknown. However, the reduction in civil rights enforcement has been significant, creating concerns about a generational gap in protections.