J.D. is Free to Contribute

Wisconsin's economy thrives on the contributions of its immigrant workers. That's especially true in certain essential industries like dairy farming, agriculture, and meat processing, as well as the hospitality industry.

We all benefit from the labor of these workers; however, the current system leaves temporary visa holders almost entirely unprotected from abuse, exploitation, and trafficking. These workers are often victimized - through wage theft, inhumane living and working conditions, contract violations, debt bondage, and physical and sexual violence. 

When we overcome these obstacles, we help not only the workers themselves, but also American-born workers, employers, and our communities. 

The true story of "J.D." shows how quickly the promise of honest work can turn into exploitation, and how civil legal aid can help overcome obstacles and ensure fairness. 

When the American Dream Becomes a Nightmare

After years of struggling to support his family in Mexico, J.D. arrived in the United States on a temporary H-2A visa. He was following a legal process; he wanted to contribute to America's agricultural sector. Instead, he found himself trapped in a situation no worker in America should face.

When he arrived at the farm where he was placed, J.D. faced inhumane living and working conditions – long hours, an unsafe work environment, filthy housing, and verbally abusive supervisors. The employer isolated J.D.: he refused to let him leave the farm, confiscated his passport, and threatened him with deportation if he didn’t keep working. Eventually, J.D. escaped his trafficker and got connected with law enforcement. J.D., along with several other employees of the farm, made the brave decision to work with federal prosecutors to hold the trafficker legally accountable in federal court.

The employer's actions were not only a nightmare for J.D. and other employees, but also created unfair competition for law-abiding American farm owners who treat their workers with dignity and respect. And, while there has been a much-needed increase in public attention around the issue of domestic sex trafficking in Wisconsin, the needs of immigrant labor trafficking survivors like J.D. continue to be overlooked and under-represented. (Human trafficking means the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into a commercial sex act or other labor or services against their will; labor and sex trafficking can occur simultaneously.)

The Role of Civil Legal Aid

This is where LOTUS Legal Clinic, Wisconsin's only law firm dedicated to providing free, comprehensive legal services to survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking, stepped in. Their work ensures that American laws are properly enforced and that our legal system works as intended for everyone.

Their comprehensive approach includes: 

• Immediate intervention, including helping victims prepare impact statements and advocate for appropriate restitution.

• Comprehensive support, including from bilingual, culturally informed staff who help survivors navigate complex legal and social service systems. 

• Long-term solutions, including assisting with proper documentation, employment rights, and family reunification.

From Exploitation to Independence

With LOTUS's support, J.D.'s story transformed from one of exploitation to one of legal compliance and economic independence. The civil legal aid team helped him secure proper legal status, reunited him with his son, and supported him as he aided federal prosecutors in holding his trafficker accountable. By helping J.D. move from victim to self-sufficient community member, civil legal aid served both justice and economic progress.

Breaking Down Barriers to Success

The path to economic independence can seem insurmountable for individuals facing multiple challenges at once. Language difficulties can make it hard to understand workplace rights and responsibilities. Isolation can prevent workers from reporting harmful, illegal practices. Limited understanding of U.S. legal rights can make it difficult to distinguish between proper workplace discipline and illegal exploitation. Civil legal aid organizations like LOTUS help bridge these gaps, ensuring American workplace laws are properly understood and followed by all.

The Path Forward

Today, after five years of navigating the legal system with civil legal aid support, J.D. and his son are building the life they dreamed of, one that contributes positively to their community. Their story shows how civil legal aid serves as a bridge from exploitation to economic independence. 

In the process, a community gained stable, productive residents who can fully contribute.

Wide-reaching Benefits

To feed American families, support local economies, and maintain the vitality of Wisconsin's dairy sector -- such a source of pride and strength for the state -- we need to make sure reliable, hardworking individuals and their law-abiding employers can compete fairly. 

Civil legal aid helps us do that -- and each case's impact goes well beyond one individual.  Ensuring justice is served for someone like J.D. deters future violations as well. For every person who gets the opportunity to work freely, civil legal aid is the difference between perpetual vulnerability and becoming an independent, productive member of the community. Immigrants make up 5 percent of Wisconsin's population, so the stakes are high. 

In this way, making sure justice is served will help put food on the table for generations to come.