Farmworkers Lured by Visa Promise Find Themselves Trapped in Georgia's Blueberry Fields

A Farmworkers Visa Promised Her a Better Life. It Was a Trap. In the early hours of March 2019, a group of weary travelers arrived at a run-down motel in Georgia's blueberry country, their journey from northeastern Mexico facilitated by Javier Sanchez Mendoza Jr., who had secured H-2A visas for them through his company. The visa program, which allows foreign workers to labor on U.S. farms for months or years, has seen a surge in applications in recent years. One of the travelers, Maria Rodriguez, 32, had been promised a better life by Mendoza. She had left her family and friends behind, expecting to earn a decent income and send money back home. However, upon arrival, she found herself trapped in a cycle of debt and exploitation. "I was told I would be working on a farm for $10 an hour," Rodriguez said in an interview with the Associated Press. "But when I got there, they were paying me $5 an hour, and I had to work 12 hours a day." Rodriguez's experience is not unique. According to a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center, many H-2A workers are subjected to wage theft, forced labor, and even human trafficking. The H-2A program has been criticized for its lack of oversight and protection for foreign workers. While it was designed to provide a temporary solution to the U.S. farm labor shortage, it has become a lucrative business for companies like Mendoza's, which charge exorbitant fees to secure visas and often prioritize profits over worker welfare. In recent years, there have been reports of H-2A workers being forced to live in squalid conditions, with inadequate access to food, water, and medical care. Some have even been subjected to physical and sexual abuse. The case of Maria Rodriguez highlights the darker side of the H-2A program. Despite her initial promise of a better life, she found herself trapped in a cycle of debt and exploitation. "I was told I would be working on a farm for $10 an hour," Rodriguez said. "But when I got there, they were paying me $5 an hour, and I had to work 12 hours a day." Rodriguez's experience is not unique. According to a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center, many H-2A workers are subjected to wage theft, forced labor, and even human trafficking. The H-2A program has been criticized for its lack of oversight and protection for foreign workers. While it was designed to provide a temporary solution to the U.S. farm labor shortage, it has become a lucrative business for companies like Mendoza's, which charge exorbitant fees to secure visas and often prioritize profits over worker welfare. In recent years, there have been reports of H-2A workers being forced to live in squalid conditions, with inadequate access to food, water, and medical care. Some have even been subjected to physical and sexual abuse. The case of Maria Rodriguez highlights the darker side of the H-2A program. Despite her initial promise of a better life, she found herself trapped in a cycle of debt and exploitation. Background The H-2A visa program was established in 1986 as a way to provide temporary labor for U.S. farms. However, over the years, it has become increasingly criticized for its lack of oversight and protection for foreign workers. In recent years, there have been reports of H-2A workers being subjected to wage theft, forced labor, and even human trafficking. The program has also been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability. Perspectives The H-2A program has been defended by some as a necessary solution to the U.S. farm labor shortage. However, critics argue that it perpetuates exploitation and abuse of foreign workers. "This program is a disaster," said Sarahí Uribe, a researcher with the Southern Poverty Law Center. "It's a way for companies to exploit cheap labor and avoid accountability." Current Status Maria Rodriguez was eventually able to escape her situation and return home to Mexico. However, many others are still trapped in the H-2A program. The U.S. Department of Labor has announced plans to increase oversight and enforcement of the H-2A program. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to protect foreign workers from exploitation and abuse. Next Developments The case of Maria Rodriguez highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the H-2A program. As the U.S. government continues to grapple with immigration policy, it is clear that the fate of foreign workers like Rodriguez will remain a pressing concern. Note: The story contains descriptions of sexual assaults. *Reporting by Projects.*