Day laborers across Southern California are facing a sharp rise in wage theft and intimidation, with some employers now threatening to report undocumented workers to immigration authorities if they demand their pay.
At a Glance
- Wage-theft reports from undocumented laborers jumped 40% in the past year
- Employers threaten ICE reports to silence unpaid workers
- One worker was promised $2,000 but received only $900 after two-and-a-half weeks
- Why it matters: Workers fear that asking for fair pay could lead to deportation, leaving families without income
Advocates at the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center sounded the alarm Tuesday, saying at least one or two day laborers visit the organization every week claiming they were never paid for completed jobs.
Cash Jobs Turn Into Stolen Wages
Jesus, who asked News Of Los Angeles not to use his last name because he fears immigration enforcement, starts each morning in an Orange County Home Depot parking lot hoping for steady work and fair pay.
In December, a contractor hired Jesus to install tile at a home and promised up to $2,000 for the job. After finishing the work alone in two-and-a-half weeks, Jesus received $900, less than half of the agreed amount.
Day laborers are frequently paid in cash and hired on the spot, creating conditions where trust easily breaks down, especially for undocumented workers who worry that insisting on fair pay could expose them to deportation risks.
ICE Threats Used as Intimidation
Alexis Tenorio, workers’ rights director for the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, said threats have escalated beyond simple non-payment.
“One of the new threats that employers are making in our region is that they tell the day laborers, ‘You better leave and stop asking for your pay, or I am going to report you to the immigration authorities,'” Tenorio explained.
He added that complaints like Jesus’ are becoming routine. The center now documents a 40% increase in wage-theft reports from undocumented workers over the past year, a rise Tenorio links to expanded immigration enforcement operations.
Workers Hesitant to Report Crime
Tenorio emphasized that all workers, regardless of immigration status, can report wage theft and receive support by contacting California’s Department of Industrial Relations.
“They don’t need to know much information. They need to know where you worked, how much you worked, and whether your employer followed the law,” he said.
Despite these protections, many laborers remain reluctant to file complaints. Jesus told News Of Los Angeles he simply wants to keep working so he can support his family, underscoring the difficult balance between seeking justice and maintaining income.
Where to Seek Help
Any worker who believes they have experienced wage theft can contact:
- Pomona Economic Opportunity Center
- Local worker rights groups
- California Department of Industrial Relations
Key Takeaways
- Wage theft against day laborers is rising amid heightened immigration enforcement
- Employers add ICE threats to traditional intimidation tactics
- Support services exist, but fear keeps many workers silent
