Migrant farm worker deaths show cost of the 'American Dream'

In the United States, many agricultural workers are immigrants who come from countries like Mexico. These workers often take on difficult jobs in the fields, where they face many challenges and dangers. One such worker, who goes by the name Hugo, witnessed a tragic event on a North Carolina farm. He saw his friend, Jose Arturo Gonzalez Mendoza, die while working in the hot sun. Hugo recalled, 'They forced him to work. He kept telling them he was feeling bad, that he was dying. ' This heartbreaking incident highlights the risks that migrant workers face every day. Hugo, who has spent most of his time in the U. S. as a migrant farm worker, left his family behind in Mexico to pursue what many call the 'American Dream. ' He hoped to earn money to support his wife and two children, but the reality of his job has been far from what he imagined. nnMendoza, who was only 29 years old, had just started working in the U. S. when he tragically lost his life. On the day he died, temperatures soared to around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the workers were not provided with enough drinking water. They were allowed only one five-minute break during their long hours of work. The only place to escape the heat was a bus parked in an open field, which had no air conditioning. A report from the labor department revealed that the farm, Barnes Farming Corporation, was fined for its hazardous working conditions. The report confirmed that management did not call for medical help when Mendoza became ill. Instead, he suffered from confusion and difficulty breathing before collapsing. Although someone eventually called for emergency services, Mendoza went into cardiac arrest and died before help could arrive. nnThe farm's representatives claimed that they take worker safety seriously and are contesting the labor department's findings. However, Hugo decided not to return to work at that farm. He now works for a welding company, expressing his concerns about the dangers faced by many migrant workers. He stated, 'Bad things happen to a lot of us. I know it could happen to me, too. ' The agricultural industry has one of the highest rates of workplace deaths, and this issue has gained more attention in recent years due to several high-profile incidents. For instance, six Latin American workers died in Baltimore when a bridge they were repairing collapsed, and a bus carrying Mexican farm workers crashed in Florida, resulting in eight fatalities. These incidents have brought to light the risks that migrant workers face in their pursuit of a better life.