Showing Up When It Matters Most: Outreach to Immigrant Workers in Pennsylvania

Last week, I stood with a small group of volunteers in our community garden in Kennett Square, preparing the soil and garden beds for planting. This garden is an important part of our work in Pennsylvania—it’s a space where community, food, and justice come together. The air still feels like early spring—quiet, almost waiting. Just like the fields across Pennsylvania, where only a few workers have arrived so far, and in some places, none yet. But we know what’s coming. By late April and throughout May, the fields will fill, and so will the need for outreach, support, and protection.

At CATA Pennsylvania, our work continues year-round. While visits to labor camps and fields will begin in the coming weeks as more workers arrive, we are already providing support from our office in Kennett Square. Located at 312 West State Street, Suite 210, the office is open Thursdays from 12 pm to 8 pm and Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm. During these hours, we meet with migrant workers to inform them of their labor rights, provide guidance, and support them in filing complaints or resolving workplace issues.

Each case we see reflects the realities workers face. Recently, a worker with a valid work permit came to us after renewing it. Despite having worked for eight months at a mushroom packing facility, his employer classified him as a new worker, failing to recognize his seniority and the benefits he had earned. We connected him with legal support and are prepared to accompany him if needed to defend his right to fair treatment.

In another case, three workers lost a full week’s wages after a change in contractors. With our support, they were able to identify who was responsible and recover their pay. However, we are also seeing more troubling situations. Some contractors are avoiding payment by threatening to call immigration authorities—or actually doing so. In the current political climate, this creates fear, and many workers hesitate to report abuse or seek help.

That fear extends beyond the workplace. Last year, we supported tenants facing rent increases in local apartment complexes. We organized visits and conversations, going door to door to inform residents of their rights. However, many people stopped participating, likely out of fear, and the effort could not move forward.

Despite these challenges, our community garden remains a space of connection and resilience. Located at Grant Way and South Street in Kennett Square, volunteers gather twice a month and have already begun preparing the soil, building garden beds, and weeding. This season, we are planting tomatoes, tomatillos, sweet and hot peppers, beans, squash, cucumbers, garlic, and sunflowers, using sustainable practices and focusing on culturally appropriate foods. Volunteers not only help grow food for the community but also take part of the harvest home.

As the season begins, we remain committed to being present—in the fields, in the office, and in the community. Because every worker deserves to be informed, protected, and treated with dignity.