Lacey, Wash., June 28, 2022 -- The news out of San Antonio is grim. At least 50 migrants tragically died in a sweltering semi-truck trailer yesterday. Our hearts go out to their families.

A tragedy like this should not happen. It is not the first time people in difficult economic or safety situations have been taken advantage of by human traffickers. People seek economic opportunities that do not exist in their home countries, and wafla strongly believes the United States should make it easier for migrants to come and have the dignity of legal presence.

Wafla facilitates the H-2A guest worker program that allows people to enter the United States legally, temporarily work to meet the needs of their families, and lift themselves and their loved ones out of poverty. Our member farms using the H-2A program help make it possible to support workers’ safe travel to the United States, decreasing the demand for human traffickers.

Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Providing legal pathways for migrants to enter the country is critical to their safety and benefits communities across the United States.

The families who lost their loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers.

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Wafla is a non-profit association that serves more than 800 seasonal and agricultural employers in the Pacific Northwest by providing outstanding labor and employment services. We make labor stability a reality for all agricultural employers.

Media Contact
Scott Dilley
Public Affairs Director
975 Carpenter Rd NE, Ste 201, Lacey, WA 98516
Office: 360-455-8064 x116
Cell: 360-581-8153
sdilley@wafla.org
wafla.org