News Summary

A federal jury has ruled that Purpose Point Harvesting, a Michigan farm labor contractor, is liable for violating anti-trafficking laws. The jury awarded $582,924 in damages to five Guatemalan farmworkers who encountered serious labor exploitation, including sub-minimum wages and harsh conditions. The case highlights systemic issues within the H-2A visa program, raising concerns about the exploitation of migrant workers. Legal representatives for the plaintiffs see this verdict as a potential deterrent against labor trafficking in agriculture.

Grand Rapids, Michigan – A federal jury has determined that Purpose Point Harvesting, a Michigan farm labor contractor, is liable for violating anti-trafficking laws. The decision came on June 6, 2025, following an eight-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, presided over by Judge Jane Beckering. The jury awarded a total of $582,924 in damages, which includes $132,924 designated for the plaintiffs and an additional $450,000 fine for breaches related to the Trafficking Victims Protection and Reauthorization Act.

The lawsuit was initiated by five migrant farmworkers from Guatemala: Luis Gomez-Echeverria, Hervil Gomez-Echeverria, Darwin Joel Fuentes Perez, Artemio Coronado Esteban, and Leonel Lopez y Lopez. These farmworkers accused Purpose Point Harvesting and its operators, Emilto Moreno Gomez and Lucille Jean Moreno, of serious labor exploitation, which included working for sub-minimum wages and enduring harsh working conditions from 2017 to 2019.

During the trial, the plaintiffs provided testimonies revealing alarming practices such as the confiscation of their passports, illegal recruitment fees of $2,500 each, and threats of retaliation for voicing concerns about their pay and working conditions. The jury heard that workers were subjected to excessive hours, sometimes laboring up to 19 hours a day in difficult environments, all while earning significantly less than the federally mandated wage of $12.75 per hour.

Financial evidence introduced included pay stubs that displayed severe discrepancies, with one worker claimed to have earned only $145.32 for labor that should have amounted to around $1,700 based on their working hours. This disparity highlighted the gravity of the situation and the extent of the alleged exploitation.

In their defense, the Morenos characterized Purpose Point Harvesting as a family-run enterprise still navigating the complexities of the agricultural workforce, claiming they were providing valuable opportunities for Guatemalan workers. They contended that the allegations of trafficking and underpayment were unfounded, pointing out that other workers had differing experiences and noted improved working conditions during their employment.

This case underscores systemic problems within the H-2A visa program, which permits U.S. employers to bring foreign agricultural laborers into the country. Critics argue that this program has facilitated environments ripe for abuse and worker exploitation.

The legal representatives for the plaintiffs noted that the verdict could serve as a significant deterrent against labor trafficking in the agricultural sector and may empower other victims to come forward and seek justice. They indicated that this case is especially notable as it illustrates the difficulties faced by migrant workers in advocating for their rights, often stemming from fears of deportation and reliance on employers for necessities such as housing and transportation.

Previously, the U.S. Department of Labor imposed a fine of $1,041 on Purpose Point Harvesting following an investigation, yet no criminal charges were pursued against the Morenos. Following the trial outcome, the legal team for Purpose Point Harvesting announced their intention to evaluate all post-trial options, maintaining that their clients did not engage in any misconduct.

The findings in this case shed light on the vulnerabilities of migrant workers in the agricultural labor market, highlighting a pressing issue that requires continued attention to prevent further cases of exploitation and abuse.