FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Contact:
Christine Sauvé
csauve@michiganimmigrant.org
(734) 740-0979
H-2A Farmworkers Settle Trafficking Lawsuit in Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – On July 9, 2026 , Feliciano Velasco Rojas and Luis Guzman Rojas, two farmworkers with H-2A visas, reached a settlement in a federal case against multiple Defendants alleging violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and the Migrant and Seasonal Worker Protection Act.
Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC), Farmworker Legal Services (FLS), Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (CDM) and Farmworker Justice (FJ) represented the farmworkers in the case.
The H-2A program allows employers to recruit farmworkers internationally on a temporary or seasonal basis when faced with a shortage of domestic workers. Per the program’s rules, employers must designate the specific location where the work is to take place. Plaintiffs in the case alleged they were recruited to work on H-2A seasonal agricultural visas in North Carolina but were compelled to live and work under poor conditions in Michigan, in violation of the terms of their visas and under threats of serious harm and abuse of the legal process.
The terms of the settlement remain undisclosed per the terms of the agreement, and the settlement does not constitute an admission of any claim against the defendants.
“MIRC commends the bravery of workers like Feliciano and Luis, who helped bring these situations to light. MIRC, together with FLS, CDM, and FJ, remains dedicated to supporting farmworkers to vindicate their rights,” said Gonzalo Peralta, Senior Staff Attorney from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center.
“The H-2A program ties a worker’s legal status to their employer, creating a structural ‘chilling effect’ that punishes those who speak out against abuse. We are proud to stand with Feliciano and Luis—two workers who chose to break that silence in the pursuit of justice,” said Julia Solórzano, Legal and Policy Director at Centro de los Derechos del Migrante.
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Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) is a statewide legal resource center for Michigan’s immigrant communities that works to build a thriving Michigan where immigrant communities experience equity and belonging. MIRC’s work is rooted in three pillars: direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community engagement and education. MIRC’s Farmworker and Immigrant Worker Rights practice focuses on representing farmworkers with their employment and civil rights matters and specializes in cases at the intersection of workplace and immigrant rights. michiganimmigrant.org
Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc (CDM) envisions a world where migrant workers’ rights are respected, and laws and policies reflect their voices. Through education, outreach, and leadership development; intake, evaluation, and referral services; litigation support and direct representation; and policy advocacy; CDM empowers migrant workers to defend and protect their rights as they move between their home communities in Mexico and their workplaces in the United States. cdmigrante.org
Farmworker Justice (FJ) based in Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower migrant and seasonal farmworkers to improve their living and working conditions, immigration status, health, occupational safety and access to justice. farmworkerjustice.org
Farmworker Legal Services (FLS) fights for justice and dignity alongside the farmworker community in Michigan. FLS provides free and confidential civil legal advice and direct legal representation to eligible working farmworker families and conducts extensive outreach to farmworker communities. In addition, FLS provides training, referrals, and technical assistance to community partners and staffs the “Farmworker Hotline” to provide direct support for farmworkers throughout Michigan.