Six Indicted for Alleged Farmworker Visa Fraud Scheme

Prosecutors say defendants obtained hundreds of fraudulent H-2A visas and exploited workers

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Federal prosecutors have announced charges against six individuals accused of transporting hundreds of farmworkers to Washington state under fraudulent H-2A visas. The two separate indictments allege the defendants submitted false paperwork to obtain the temporary worker visas and then exploited the workers, providing poor housing and working conditions and in some cases, no pay.

Why it matters

The H-2A visa program is intended to help agricultural employers legally hire foreign workers when there are not enough domestic workers available. However, this case highlights how the program can be abused by unscrupulous operators who seek to profit by exploiting vulnerable workers. It raises concerns about oversight and enforcement to ensure the program is used as intended.

The details

The first indictment charges Cesar Jamie Rebolledo Diaz and Socorro Ramos of Yakima with transporting over 100 workers from Mexico to eastern Washington under fraudulent H-2A visas they obtained by claiming to represent Marquez Farms. The second indictment charges four defendants - Francisco Rodríguez Martel, Esmeralda Rodríguez, Erica Cisneros and Giovanna Sierra Carrillo - with obtaining over 500 fraudulent H-2A visas by submitting paperwork for 10 farms in Yakima and Benton Counties.

  • The alleged crimes took place from 2022 to 2024.
  • The U.S. Department of Labor debarred Harvest Plus from the H-2A program for 3 years and assessed $252,475 in civil penalties in October 2024.
  • The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries affirmed the denial of Harvest Plus' farm labor contract licenses in March 2025.

The players

Cesar Jamie Rebolledo Diaz

One of two individuals from Yakima charged in the first indictment for allegedly transporting over 100 workers from Mexico to eastern Washington under fraudulent H-2A visas.

Socorro Ramos

One of two individuals from Yakima charged in the first indictment for allegedly transporting over 100 workers from Mexico to eastern Washington under fraudulent H-2A visas.

Francisco Rodríguez Martel

One of four defendants charged in the second indictment for allegedly obtaining over 500 fraudulent H-2A visas by submitting paperwork for 10 farms in Yakima and Benton Counties.

Esmeralda Rodríguez

One of four defendants charged in the second indictment for allegedly obtaining over 500 fraudulent H-2A visas by submitting paperwork for 10 farms in Yakima and Benton Counties.

Erica Cisneros

One of four defendants charged in the second indictment for allegedly obtaining over 500 fraudulent H-2A visas by submitting paperwork for 10 farms in Yakima and Benton Counties.

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What they’re saying

“When the United States Attorney's office receives credible information from investigating agencies that stand as the basis for immigration fraud, we will charge these cases.”

— Pete Serrano, First Assistant U.S. Attorney (Press release)

“When bad actors exploit vulnerable workers or attempt to game the system, we investigate, we expose, and we hold them accountable. We will continue working … to ensure these programs serve legitimate labor needs — not criminal enterprises. Fraud will not be tolerated. Accountability is not optional.”

— Anthony P. D'Esposito, DOL Inspector General (Press release)

What’s next

The judge will decide on bail for the two defendants in the first case. The four defendants in the second case face a total of 51 criminal counts.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger oversight and enforcement of the H-2A visa program to prevent exploitation of vulnerable foreign workers and abuse of the system by unscrupulous operators. It underscores the importance of ensuring these programs serve their intended purpose of meeting legitimate labor needs, not criminal enterprises.