Headline: How Immigrant Workers in Ohio Are Fighting Wage Theft and Exploitation
Subheadline: Cleveland nonprofit teams up with legal experts to empower Ohio’s immigrant workforce and protect their rights.
CLEVELAND — Ricardo Morales Vivero came to the United States from Ecuador with a dream of building a better life. Today, he’s helping others do the same. As a bilingual organizer with the Northeast Ohio Worker Center, Morales is at the forefront of a growing movement to protect immigrant workers from exploitation and wage theft—an issue that continues to plague vulnerable communities across the state.
According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants make up roughly 6% of Ohio’s workforce. However, about one-fifth of this population is undocumented, leaving them particularly susceptible to abuse. Many face threats, underpayment, and unsafe working conditions, often too afraid to speak out due to their immigration status.
To combat this, Morales and his team have partnered with the Young Latino Network and immigration law firm Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez to host monthly immigration and wage theft clinics in Cleveland. What began as a volunteer-led initiative has evolved into a comprehensive program aimed at addressing the intertwined issues of immigration enforcement and labor rights.
“These clinics are vital because immigrant workers often come to us with wage theft complaints, but they also need help navigating the immigration system,” Morales explained. “Whether it’s securing a work permit or regularizing their status, these issues are deeply connected.”
Juan, a Mexican immigrant who asked to be identified by only his first name, is one of the many workers benefiting from these services. He arrived in Cleveland in 2023 with his wife and three young children, seeking asylum and a chance to rebuild their lives. To support his family, Juan took up roofing work—a physically demanding and often precarious job.
Last year, Juan and a group of fellow workers were hired for a roofing project in Florida. After 34 grueling days on the job, they were sent home without pay. Juan estimates he’s owed $23,400, but the employer has only offered $5,588.
“There were others who faced the same issue, but only six of us came forward,” Juan said. “The rest are too scared because of their immigration status.”
Juan’s case is now part of an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor into potential labor trafficking and wage theft. Unfortunately, his story is far from unique. A 2019 survey by the National Employment Law Project found that 37% of undocumented immigrants had experienced minimum wage violations.
Jose Juarez, founding partner at Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, has witnessed a surge in wage theft cases over the past two years. He attributes this rise to employers exploiting workers’ fears of deportation.
“Many immigrants work in high-risk industries like construction, restaurants, and cleaning, where they’re vulnerable to exploitation,” Juarez said. “Some employers use immigration status as a threat to silence workers. But the truth is, all workers in the U.S. have rights—regardless of their immigration status. They’re entitled to minimum wage, overtime pay, and payment for every hour worked.”
Morales emphasized that raising awareness and building community support are critical steps in empowering immigrant workers.
“We’re creating a network where workers can support each other,” he said. “Our role is to facilitate that process, help them learn their rights, and ensure they feel safe advocating for themselves.”
The clinics not only provide legal assistance but also foster a sense of solidarity among participants. Morales hopes this growing network will inspire more workers to come forward and challenge exploitative practices.
For Juan, the clinics have been a lifeline. “I’m fighting not just for myself, but for my family,” he said. “Every worker deserves to be paid fairly and treated with dignity.”
As Ohio’s immigrant population continues to contribute to the state’s economy, advocates like Morales and Juarez are determined to ensure their rights are protected. Their work highlights the urgent need for systemic change—and the power of community-driven solutions.
— Reported by Nexio News
