Ernesto Garza, a 62-year-old former farm foreman from Alamo, Texas, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison on September 21, 2024, for extorting H-2A agricultural workers and committing tax fraud. Garza, who worked as a supervisor at F.D.C. from 2014 to 2019, was found guilty of falsifying payroll timesheets and charging unauthorized fees ranging from $750 to $2,500 to the workers. He deposited $493,153 in unreported income and was ordered to pay $621,724 in restitution [3107c45a].
The case underscores the vulnerabilities faced by H-2A workers, who often rely on their employers for fair treatment and compliance with labor laws. U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the H-2A program, highlighting the collaboration between the Idaho State Police, the IRS, and the U.S. Department of Labor in bringing Garza to justice [3107c45a].
This incident adds to the ongoing discussion about the challenges and exploitation that migrant farmworkers face in the U.S. agricultural sector. As highlighted in a recent study from the University of Michigan, many farmworkers endure poor living conditions and financial exploitation, which can include unauthorized fees and wage theft [a50a760e].
The combination of Garza's criminal actions and the systemic issues faced by H-2A workers illustrates the urgent need for reforms in the agricultural labor system to ensure fair treatment and protection for these essential workers [e81d7094].