A Biden-era policy protects immigrant workers who report workplace abuses, but its future and key visa programs may be at risk after the 2024 election.
Lisa Held reports for Civil Eats.
In short:
- The Biden administration implemented a policy shielding immigrant workers from deportation when they report abuse or unsafe work conditions.
- The future of this protection is uncertain, depending on the outcome of the 2024 election and the direction of visa policies.
- These protections are critical for the immigrant workforce, which is a backbone of U.S. food production.
Key quote:
“We knew OSHA was going to show up; we knew a lot of different law enforcement agencies were going to show up; and we knew that the workers were going to be undocumented, intimidated, and terrified.”
— Shelly Anand, founder of Sur Legal, a worker rights nonprofit
Why this matters:
Millions of immigrant food workers face harsh conditions with limited recourse. Without these protections, they may be forced to endure unsafe workplaces or exploitation without fear of reprisal. The outcome of the election will decide their fate.
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