Team,
For too long, immigrant workers experiencing dangerous working conditions or unfair wages have been stuck in a cruel catch-22: If they don’t report abusive employers, nothing changes, and if they do, they could face retaliation based on their immigration status.
Last year, the Biden administration announced a new, groundbreaking policy that offers temporary protections from deportation to individuals reporting workplace abuse. This came after decades of advocacy by immigrant workers, labor unions, workers’ centers, and advocates, including NILC.
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In 2021, a tragic and entirely preventable liquid nitrogen leak claimed the lives of six workers at a Gainesville, Georgia poultry plant. Responding swiftly, we joined a group of local grassroots and legal organizations to form a rapid response coalition. Together, we provided legal representation and support to the affected poultry workers, free of charge.
As a result of the bravery of the workers and our coalition’s advocacy, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued 59 citations against the responsible companies, resulting in fines exceeding $1 million.
Our efforts also led to some of the earliest grants of deferred action by the Biden administration, underscoring the necessity for formal DHS guidance and the positive impact of immigration protections on labor law enforcement.
“I was afraid. There was no safety in my job, but there was no other option. When I was in the chicken plant, I was always stuck there, thinking how am I going to find something else — but now [with Deferred Action] I was able to find a new job.” -Alba Velásquez Turcios, former poultry worker at Foundation Food Group in Gainesville, Georgia, represented by NILC
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Fast forward to today — the deferred action policy is now formalized, and it’s already been transformative for workers, providing security and confidence for them to speak up about safety issues, participate in investigations, seek new employment and personal development opportunities, and raise awareness within their communities.
The Gainesville nitrogen leak is just one real-life illustration of the critical need for deferred action. With workers now benefiting from these protections, other workers will be empowered to speak out, seek protections, and come forward to share their experiences, which will in turn make workplaces better and safer for all.
We look forward to sharing more as this policy continues to make a difference in our workplaces and communities.
Thank you,
— National Immigration Law Center
