This Colorado farm has repeatedly violated federal labor laws. Why does the U.S. continue to grant it foreign workers?
...The laborers come to Star Farms every year on temporary visas, part of the federal government’s H-2A program that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for critical agricultural jobs.
From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., they till the soil…
But despite federal regulations, workers and their lawyers say the farm’s owner does not provide them with clean water, forcing them to buy and bring their own. The bathrooms on-site, they say, sometimes go months without being cleaned. With little option, they allege, workers feel compelled to urinate and defecate in the fields.
On top of that, they say the workers at Star Farms haven’t seen a paycheck in seven weeks…
For nearly two decades, Star Farms and its owner, Angelo Palombo, have repeatedly stolen wages from migrant employees and violated federal labor laws…
Now, the federal labor department says it’s once again investigating the farm…
Palombo’s family members operate Palombo Farms Market off of U.S. 85 in Henderson… A spokesperson says the market is operated by Palombo’s ex-wife and their son, Linda Palombo and Joseph Palombo. Angelo Palombo has no association with their business, they say).
Shoppers at Safeway and Kroger-owned stores can also find Star Farms’ vegetables in local supermarkets…