The Migrant Farmworkers Risking Their Lives for Illegal Wages

Farmworkers on H-2A visas won a rare victory in federal court. But they are still being paid the wages that were just ruled illegal.

By: Grey Moran

Outlets: Sentient

Published: September 14, 2026

Words: 1,971

Last Updated: 3 days, 17 hours ago

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A few weeks ago, after a grueling day of harvesting tobacco in eastern North Carolina, Zapata returned to the house he shared with other farmworkers and began to vomit uncontrollably. He recalls how his chest hurt, how his muscles ached and how he began sweating profusely — all established signs of severe heat illness that can progress to death. By morning, his symptoms didn’t ease up, but he was reluctant to miss a day’s …

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