Migrant workers are an instrumental part of America's agriculture industry, comprising about 68% of hired crop farmworkers in the United States from 2020-2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Despite their contributions, many encounter challenges related to their jobs. Northern Michigan University students Citlali Esparza-Salvador and Abby Martin discovered this first hand through their internships with a Grand Rapids nonprofit organization.
Migrant Legal Aid is focused on "protecting the dignity, livelihood and health of migrant seasonal farmworkers and food workers." It addresses issues such as their failure to receive proper employment benefits, workplace discrimination and inability to financially support their families.
“My Spanish classes at NMU taught me to view other perspectives, be open minded, and to take action and fight for what I believe in,” Esparza-Salvador said. “I wanted to do this internship because I really care about the community and I wanted to learn more and educate myself on the struggles migrant workers face.”
“I learned about this internship from Professor [María Guadalupe] Arenillas, and I was inspired to pursue it so that I could help provide resources to those who needed them and interact with people whose backgrounds were far different from mine,” Martin stated.
The organization offers various support programs for migrant workers and provides legal services to combat discrimination against migrants and ensure equal rights for workers and their families. It primarily provides services and conducts outreach in rural areas of southern Michigan, including those surrounding Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor. They meet with people from countries including Mexico, Guatemala and other places in Central and South America.
Over the course of the summer, Esparza-Salvador and Martin worked in both the legal department and also participated in community outreach. In the law firm, they helped to translate documents and file visa and work authorization paperwork for migrant workers. They also traveled to migrant farm communities and knocked on doors, informing migrant families of their rights as well as the assistance the organization has to offer.
“My eyes were opened in so many ways,” Martin said. “Not only did I come to fully understand my privilege, I also learned just how much injustice is happening right now in our own communities.”
“They are a very important part of our everyday lives, and I think we take them for granted.” added Esparza-Salvador. “They deserve better treatment, better payment and recognition.”
Migrant Legal Aid also helps families through their social assistance programs by donating food and clothing and providing educational programs to teach migrant workers how to combat workplace mistreatment and discrimination.