Freedom United co-sponsors bill to protect California’s temporary migrant workers from exploitation

California lawmakers are again considering expanding protections for temporary migrant workers—an effort met with resistance in the past. Advocates, including Freedom United, are rallying behind the proposed legislation, Assembly Bill 1362. The bill aims to regulate foreign labor recruiters and prevent exploitative recruitment practices that can lead to trafficking and forced labor.

Closing the gaps in protection

The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra, and co-sponsored by Freedom United, Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative, Justice at Last, Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California, and Santa Clara County Wage Theft Coalition, would require all contracted foreign labor recruiters to register with the state and follow rules designed to protect workers from exploitation.

Suhauna Hussain for the LA Times reports,

“Anti-human trafficking advocates say that due to a lack of federal oversight, temporary visa programs are frequently exploited, with workers subject to human trafficking because of false promises and illegal schemes by third-party labor recruiters.”

Currently, California has some regulations in place under SB 477, but they only apply to a small fraction of the state’s 350,000 temporary migrant workers. AB 1362 would expand protections to all visa programs—except J-1 and talent agency recruiters—ensuring that labor recruiters cannot operate in the shadows.

Krysta Bisnauth, Advocacy Manager at Freedom United, emphasized the urgency of the bill:

“Unscrupulous recruitment practices are a key driver of forced labor, leaving migrant workers vulnerable to debt bondage, contract fraud, and abuse. While the federal government falls short, California has the opportunity to set a new standard—ensuring strong protections that prevent human trafficking and uphold workers’ rights.”

However, opposition from powerful industry groups remains a challenge. The Western Growers Association, which represents farmers across California and other states, has historically pushed back against efforts to increase regulation of labor recruitment. The group has argued that additional oversight could slow down hiring and increase costs for agricultural businesses that rely on migrant labor.

At the same time, the industry is facing serious labor shortages, and Western Growers has been vocal about the need to expand temporary worker programs.

A second chance to do the right thing

This isn’t the first time California has attempted to pass similar protections. In 2022, a nearly identical bill, AB 364, was passed by the legislature with strong bipartisan support but was ultimately vetoed by California Governor Gavin Newsom. That setback was a blow to advocates, including Freedom United, which had mobilized tens of thousands of supporters and secured endorsements from major corporations and anti-trafficking leaders.

Survivors of labor trafficking, like Raymundo, have spoken out about the dangers of unregulated labor recruitment. He was promised a stable job in California but instead found himself trapped in exploitative conditions, unable to communicate with his family or leave his worksite. “Our trafficker had a lot of power and money. He told us he could take our visas away at any time and deport us back to Mexico,” he recalled.

The time to act is now

With AB 1362, California has another opportunity to do the right thing. The bill comes at a critical time when U.S. immigration policies are tightening, putting migrant workers at even greater risk of trafficking and forced labor. Ensuring proper oversight of labor recruiters is a crucial step toward preventing exploitation.

Freedom United is once again calling on California lawmakers to prioritize protections for temporary migrant workers. Join us in demanding stronger safeguards—because no worker should have to choose between exploitation and survival.