A recent report by The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has shed light on a troubling trend: the alarming increase in workplace injuries among undocumented immigrants. This revelation not only underscores the pressing need for improved safety regulations but also raises important questions about the rights and protections afforded to vulnerable communities in the workforce.
The report reveals a stark reality: undocumented immigrants are disproportionately affected by workplace injuries. Here are some sobering facts: 344 workers died each day from hazardous working conditions.
5,486 workers were killed on the job in the United States. An estimated 120,000 workers died from occupational diseases.
The job fatality rate increased again to 3.7 per 100,000 workers.
Workers of color die on the job at a higher rate
Black and Latino workers’ job fatality rates are disproportionate compared with all other workers and are continuing to increase. Whether due to hazardous working conditions, lack of proper training, or fear of reporting incidents, undocumented individuals and minorities face a heightened risk of harm while striving to make a living.
From construction sites, factories, restaurants and to agricultural fields, the dangers are manifold, and the consequences can be devastating, often resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities.
What makes this issue even more complex is the legal status of undocumented immigrants. Many fear reprisal or deportation if they report workplace injuries or seek assistance. Many simply do not know their own rights and are too afraid to speak up. However, the report also brings to light a potential ray of hope: the T visa.
What is a T Visa?
Established under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the T visa provides a pathway to legal status for individuals who have been victims of trafficking, including labor exploitation. Crucially, this includes undocumented immigrants who have suffered workplace injuries as a result of negligence or exploitation. The T visa is an incredible way for undocumented workers to obtain legal papers even with an illegal entry. It allows them to confidentially apply for their legal papers based on exploitation, abuse, manipulation, duress, force or fraud in the workplace.
While the availability of T visas offers a lifeline to undocumented immigrants facing exploitation and abuse in the workplace, it also underscores the need for comprehensive immigration reform. No individual should have to endure unsafe working conditions or risk their lives to earn a living, regardless of their immigration status.
By providing a pathway to legal status and citizenship, we are empowering these individuals to assert their rights and protections without fear of reprisal. The AFL-CIO report serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to address workplace safety and protections for undocumented immigrants.
What We Can Do To Help
If you know someone who has been exploited or injured on the job, let them know they have a fantastic option to gain legal status via the T visa. It is a life changing option for all undocumented immigrants suffering from harsh workplace treatments. It’s about time to turn one’s life around through a T visa. Call us at 630 504-0648 to see if you qualify to apply for a T Visa or how to get started with your application.
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Data source: https://aflcio.org/reports/dotj-2024#:~:text=344%20workers%20died%20each%20day,to%203.7%20per%20100%2C000%20workers.aflcio.orgaflcio.org