Immigrant Impact Spotlight: Celebrating the People Powering America’s Progress

🌾 Agriculture: “Feeding America

Spotlight: Teresa Romero (Mexico City → California

Behind every meal, there are hands that harvest—often immigrant hands. At the heart of the movement to protect those workers is Teresa Romero, a woman who made history by becoming the first Latina and first immigrant woman to lead the United Farm Workers (UFW), the nation’s oldest farmworker union.

Born in Mexico City, Teresa immigrated to the United States in her 20s in search of opportunity. Like so many immigrants, she arrived with ambition and humility—navigating a new country, a new language, and an unfamiliar system. She later became a naturalized citizen through the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

“My respect for the UFW and the farm workers—and my understanding of their struggles—hails from the fact that when I came to América, I did not speak or understand English,” she said.

Teresa joined UFW not just as a supporter, but as someone who intimately understood the barriers faced by immigrant workers—especially in the fields. In 2018, she broke new ground as the third president of UFW, and the first woman immigrant and Latina to ever lead the union. Under her leadership, the UFW has expanded its fight for dignity and safety, securing groundbreaking laws in California that mandate heat illness protections, clean drinking water, mandatory rest breaks, and overtime pay for farmworkers.

Her leadership was recognized nationally in May 2024 when she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor.

Teresa Romero’s journey—from immigrant worker to national labor leader—is a testament to the power of organizing, advocacy, and resilience. In a time when farmworkers remain essential yet underprotected, her voice carries the weight of history—and the promise of change.
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Did You Know?
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Farmworkers in the U.S.—more than 70% of whom are immigrants—often labor under extreme conditions with few protections. Leaders like Teresa Romero are changing that reality, one law and one voice at a time.

If you have questions about your visa status or if you are an employer exploring immigration options, we are here to help.  At the Law Office of Julia L. Stommes, we are committed to helping individuals and businesses navigate complex legal landscapes.
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The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.  To schedule a Consultation to discuss your legal immigration options, please email us at [email protected].