My name is Gustavo, and I have been a farmworker for 36 years. I have worked at the same farm this whole time. I have picked jalapeños, tomatoes, cabbage, yellow pepper, soy beans, corn and more. I am fortunate that I live here in Ohio year round. My family and I live down the road from the farm. My wife works on the same farm but in the tomato factory.
I am proud of the work I do. The farm is beautiful, and I must like it for how long I have done it.
I wish people knew that we liked to work, but the work has gotten harder because there are less and less workers now. A lot of workers have left to go work in the factories, and this has led the farmer to plant fewer crops. Because I live in the town near the farm, I do feel like I get a chance to be part of the community here. I hope to retire in the future.
En Español:
Mi nombre es Gustavo, y soy trabajador agrícola desde hace 36 años. He trabajado en la misma granja todo ese tiempo. He recogido jalapeños, tomates, repollo, pimiento amarillo, frijoles de soja, maíz y más. Tengo la suerte de vivir aquí en Ohio durante todo el año. Mi familia y yo vivimos en la calle de la finca. Mi esposa trabaja en la misma finca pero en la fábrica de tomates.
Estoy orgulloso del trabajo que hago. La finca es hermosa y me debe gustar por el tiempo lo he hecho.
Ojalá la gente supiera que nos gusta trabajar, pero el trabajo se vuelve más difícil porque ahora hay cada vez menos trabajadores. Muchos trabajadores se han ido para ir a trabajar a las fábricas, y esto ha llevado al agricultor a plantar menos cultivos. Debido a que vivo en la ciudad cerca de la finca, siento que tengo la oportunidad de ser parte de la comunidad aquí. Espero jubilarme en el futuro.
My name is Marcos, and I am from Chiapas, Mexico. I have been working in agriculture in the United States for nine years. When I first arrived, I worked in Kentucky on a tobacco farm for four years. For the last five years, I have worked in Ohio picking fruits and vegetables. I enjoy working in the fields. I did this kind of work in Mexico with my family. I know that it is important and that my work gives people security. I think our work made people feel more secure during the pandemic.
I am thankful for my work because it helps me support my five-year-old son in Mexico and other family members. I am also thankful to the people in the United States. During my time in the U.S., people from the community have treated me well. I think that we help each other. I am grateful to the farmer for giving me a job and to the people who buy the products. I also know that they depend on me to do my job. It is important that we have mutual respect for each other.
En Español:
Mi nombre es Marcos, y soy de Chiapas, México. Llevo trabajando en agricultura en los Estados Unidos por 9 años. Cuando llegué, trabajé en Kentucky para un rancho de tabaco por cuatro años. Los últimos cinco años llevo trabajando en Ohio cosechando frutas y vegetales. Me gusta trabajar en los campos. Yo hacía este trabajo en México con mi familia. Yo se que el trabajo es importante y que le da seguridad a las personas. Yo creo que nuestro trabajo le dio más seguridad a las personas durante la pandemia.
Estoy agradecido por mi trabajo porque me ayuda a apoyar a mi hijo, que tiene cinco años, en México y a mis otros familiares. También agradezco a las personas en los Estados Unidos. Durante mi tiempo en los EE.UU., las personas de la comunidad me han tratado muy bien. Creo que nos ayudamos el uno al otro. Agradezco al ranchero por darme un trabajo y a las personas que compran los productos. También sé que ellos dependen de mí para que yo haga mi trabajo. Es importante que tengamos respeto mutuo.
There are migrant workers who move across international borders, state and county lines to work along the food supply chain and provide for their families. Some of these migrant workers are among the 2.1 million immigrant community members who work in jobs growing, harvesting, processing, and selling food in the US, serving an essential role.
Despite the fact that they were named "essential workers" by government officials of all political backgrounds, companies and consumers during the global pandemic, many of these community members are denied basic rights and face unimaginable challenges. They are also often invisible to the people and the communities where they work and live.
Add your voice to the growing list of people calling on Congress to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals who worked in essential sectors during the pandemic. Call on Congress to support the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act.
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