KSWT: Local News, Weather, Sports Yuma, AZ El Centro Imperial Valley, CA Non-Profit Seeks to Protect Mexican Agricultural Workers

Non-Profit Seeks to Protect Mexican Agricultural Workers

San Luis, AZ Dec. 11 - Mexicans seeking agricultural jobs in Yuma County and throughout the U.S. under the governments H2-A guest workers program could be falling victim  of fraud.

According to the non-profit, Independent Agricultural Workers Center in San Luis Rio Colorado unscrupulous recruiters often charge workers to obtain a visa and place them in economic hardship without a job prospect.

With funds from a $1 million dollar grant from the Buffet Foundation to Catholic Relief services, the non-profit is opening farm worker support centers to guide workers from falling victims of abuse.

Officials with the non-profit say the goal of the centers is to work with growers and employers on the U.S. side of the border to line up the workers without charge.