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Patricio González faces injustice head-on. He stood up for his rights when he went to the United States to work as a landscaper with an H-2B visa.

Patricio González González was born in Zapaltipán, a community in Hidalgo. The first time, as it is the case of many workers, the difficulties started from the moment he was recruited in his home community. Patricio had to pay $7,000 Mexican pesos in exchange for a job. When he arrived in the United States, he realized that, instead of the company he had been promised, he would be working for a sub-employer. It took 13 days for the sub-employer to arrive. During this time, Patricio had nowhere to live and did not receive a salary.

Patricio, who had carefully read his contract and therefore knew that he had to be reimbursed for travel expenses. He requested his reimbursement, but his employer refused to pay him. Patricio was not paid overtime, nor was he allowed to take time off to go to Mexico.

But Patricio raised his voice. He grabbed a brochure that he’d gotten at the Consulate when he was processing his visa and called the Department of Labor. After an investigation and persistence, Patricio and his colleagues were reimbursed.

In 2014 he joined the Migrant Defense Committee. Since then, he has approached people who want to go to work in the United States. Along with many migrant leaders in the Committee, Patricio focuses on the importance of educating young people in their communities. "I share what we learn in the CDM workshops," says Patricio, "it’s especially important for this new generations."

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This is the second article in the series Justice Along the Way, where worker leaders speak about their experiences in the US and their impact on their communities.