Farmworker Women Join the Immigration Conversation
A delegation of more than 60 farmworker women leaders and advocates will meet in Washington, D.C. from April 6 through the 10, 2013 to educate members of Congress about farmworker women's unique concerns related to the United States' broken immigration system, including issues related to family separation, discrimination against internationally recruited women workers, and the current anti-immigrant sentiment that exists in the United States. The women are members of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas (National Farmworker Women's Alliance, in English; Alianza de Campesinas). Members will be traveling from Florida, Arizona, California, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Texas to participate.
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A delegation of more than 60 farmworker women leaders and advocates will meet in Washington, D.C. from April 6 through the 10, 2013 to educate members of Congress about farmworker women's unique concerns related to the United States' broken immigration system, including issues related to family separation, discrimination against internationally recruited women workers, and the current anti-immigrant sentiment that exists in the United States. The women are members of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas (National Farmworker Women's Alliance, in English; Alianza de Campesinas). Members will be traveling from Florida, Arizona, California, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Texas to participate.
"This is a very important moment in history," said Mily Trevino-Sauceda, President of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas. "Farmworker women are often left out of the conversation
about topics like immigration and workers' rights. We are convening in DC to make sure that we have a chance to educate people about farmworker women's concerns."
Alianza de Campesinas members will also meet with federal agency officials, students and members of the public to educate them about the most pressing concerns impacting
farmworker women and their families. The delegation will address gender violence against female migrant workers, employment abuses, immigration concerns, pesticide exposure, other health priorities and safety issues.
"We have been organizing for months in order to make this important trip," said Diana Bustamante, Delegate to Alianza de Campesinas. "Even though it is difficult for many of our
members to miss work, find child care and travel to DC, we feel that we have a responsibility to ourselves, our families and our communities to inform the general public about the plight of
farmworkers in the U.S."
Farmworker Justice is proud to work closely with this growing organization to help empower farmworker women and to lift up their voices.