Creating workplaces free from sexual harassment and violence should never be a controversial issue. Yet, the Department of Labor recently terminated all “Fostering Access, Rights and Equity” (FARE) grants awarded by the Women’s Bureau during the Biden administration — including two that funded our critical work building power with workers in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Oregon.

Last year, a group of people working as chicken catchers decided enough was enough. Angel was one of them. They contacted us and we supported them in filing a complaint with the Department of Labor (DOL) to seek justice for the inhumane working conditions their employer put them through. And they won. 

For the last almost 20 years, we’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of migrant worker women who migrate to the United States, leaving family and friends behind in search of a better future. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate them – for their strength, their courage and their leadership.

Oscar Onadia, an immigrant from Burkina Faso, courageously filed a class-action lawsuit against the City of New York, eventually obtaining a settlement of $92.5 million dollars for more than 20,000 people. The class members —immigrants and US citizens alike— were unjustly detained between 1997 and 2012 by the New York City Department of Corrections beyond their scheduled release dates.

Now that this year’s FIFA World Cup is behind us (Congratulations, Argentina!), all eyes are on Mexico, United States and Canada who will co-host the mega-event in 2026. And after the infamous treatment of migrant workers in Qatar, we must ensure that next time human rights will be protected.

Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an immigration relief policy for migrant and immigrant workers who face abuse and defend their workplace rights.