After a harvest season full of mobilization and action, El Futuro Es Nuestro / It’s Our Future (IOF) is now dealing with workers in a crisis, and funds are needed to support them.  

IOF is assisting 18 workers who have reported lack of access to drinking water, breaks, or medical attention while working for employers who are under investigation for labor violations. These workers are among those who have bravely stood up and offered support to investigations by the Department of Labor, as reported in our October newsletter.  (Sign up for our monthly updates, if you aren't already on the list.)

Thankfully, there is now a new potential protection for them. A Biden-era U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) program offers “Deferred Action” to protect workers who cooperate with certain investigations. For qualified workers, Deferred Action provides temporary work permits and protection to stay in the U.S. during labor investigations.

Without the protection of Deferred Action, workers might be reluctant to speak out in any investigation of their employer, knowing that their job, housing, and visa are all at risk.  This is exactly the situation of the IOF-supported 18 workers, and eight more workers are contemplating joining. 

Applying for Deferred Action is a long, complicated, and expensive process, especially for workers who are at or near the end of their H-2A official visa-provided employment period. In addition to the application costs, workers will need to support themselves while they await the Deferred Action decision, and while the investigation plays out.  

IOF wants to help the workers, but as a new and shoe-string organization itself, we have extremely limited resources.  We are in urgent need of help to cover some expenses to support these workers.

Estimated Costs:  

Application Costs: $410 per worker 
Total = $10,500
Explanation: $410 x 18 workers = approx. $7,500. Ideally we would raise an additional $3000 in case the additional 8 workers join, for a total of $10,500.

Food Stipends: $75 per worker per week
Total = $5,400
Explanation: $75 x 18 workers x 4 weeks = $5,400. IOF will help workers access local food pantries, but that is a limited resource. $75 per week will cover groceries, drinking water and basic necessities for one month. Within four weeks, we anticipate workers could find alternate employment and be able to support themselves.

Outreach Costs: $.50 per mile
Total = $3,100
Explanation: $.50 per mile x approx. 500 miles per week x 6 weeks x 2 organizers = $3000. Copies and Printing = approx $100. As these are unexpected costs this late in the season, IOF does not have the funds budgeted to cover the mileage costs to transport workers to and from immigration appointments, DOL interviews, food pantries, etc. 

Total = $19,000

Farmworkers speaking out need our help urgently. This is an emerging situation that necessitates a quick turn around. This effort is the IOF's start to building an ongoing Emergency Response Fund.  

Please stand with us and support these workers who are standing up for themselves.  Make your tax-deductible donation today.

DONATE ONLINE  - or -

Make out checks to It’s Our Future with "IOFKYRF" (or just "IOF")  in the memo line, and mail them to Southern Vision Alliance, PO Box 51698, Durham, NC 27717.

Thank you for your support!

In Solidarity, 

Felipe Montán, President, El Futuro Es Nuestro/ It's Our Future (IOF)
Leticia Zavala and Maria Mejia, IOF Co-Coordinators