The Abuse of H-2 Visas and Their Use for Labor Trafficking Purposes

Maryam Tabatabai, University of Houston Law Center

Abstract

This article will discuss recent cases of guest worker exploitation, ineffective enforcement of H-2 regulations, inadequate protection of guest workers, causes of action currently available to victims, and possible solutions to mitigate abuse. Every year, about 121,000 guest workers arrive in the United States with hopes of achieving a better life for themselves and their families. Our system needs to ensure that we have legislative frameworks and the enforcement mechanisms in place to protect these workers, so that they may work hard to obtain a better living.