Firm accused of illegally recruiting 500 Mexican workers to Eastern WA
Three Tri-Cities area residents and a Yakima resident are accused in a fraud, identity theft and forced labor case involving the nation’s H-2A foreign worker program that brings temporary agriculture workers to the United States.
They have been indicted by a federal grand jury on a combined 51 criminal counts after allegedly bringing about 500 laborers from Mexico on fraudulent temporary work visas.
They variously forged documents, required improper payments from workers and not only lied to workers, customers and regulators, but intimidated workers to also lie, according to accusations in federal court document.
“The importance of this case cannot be understated,” said Pete Serrano, first assistant U.S. attorney for Eastern Washington. “... The United States Attorney’s office will protect these vulnerable victims and the integrity of a vital federal programs, including the H-2A program which is critical to Eastern Washington’s agricultural successes.”
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/firm-accused-illegally-recruiting-500-025114878.html