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The first time I went to the United States was because of the need to work, because I did not have employment in Mexico and I needed income in order to give my children a better life. 

In my experience, they always treated me very well during recruitment even though many things have changed today in comparison to when I went for the first time. Before, they did not reimburse us for anything and we needed to pay all of the costs of arrival in the United States - to apply for a visa, transport, food and lodging at the consulate. Now, they reimburse all of these costs. 

I had two experiences working in the United States with a visa, and both were very good, my employers treated me very well. But not everyone has the same experience as me, many others face many difficulties and violations of their labor rights with a temporary visa. 

Why did you join the Defense Committee? 

Because I have children who also go to the U.S. with visas. Because of this, ever since I joined the Committee, I always try to participate, learn, and be aware of what is happening in the U.S. on the topic of migrant workers, to learn and share with my children what I know so that they can also have knowledge of all of their labor rights and so that injustice does not continue to exist. 

Thanks to God my experience as a migrant worker was very good. From my employers to my coworkers and the people I shared a living space with, all were very good to me. 

Today, there are many changes, the laws have changed a lot over the years and it is very different now from the years that I was a migrant worker. Because of this, the situation is different for each migrant and it is for this reason that it is so important to be informed and stay updated about the laws, the rights, and the protections that account for each migrant worker with a temporary H-2 visa.

Do you have any reflection about the changes in the rules of the H-2 visa or anything that you would like to see improve in the H-2 Visas? 

From my point of view, what would be perfect is for all migrant workers to be paid well and for  everything - as in, that they pay you for your rent and for all of the hours that you work. Also, for the H-2 visas to have these benefits because there are many people who go with this visa and have to pay rent, for example, with a minimum wage that doesn’t stretch to cover it. 

For the people who face a situation of abuse in their work place or have doubts about a situation, that they would raise their voice and speak and not stay quiet so that they would be heard and their rights would be protected. 

If you are also a migrant worker and have an interest in protecting and defending your labor rights, join the fight, communicate with Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (CDM) (Center for Migrant’s Rights), from Mexico at +52 55 9661 6771 or from the United States at +1 667 217-5738 for a consult and to receive more information about the Migrant Defense Committee. 

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