YAKIMA, Wash. – Four individuals from the Yakima and Tri-Cities area have been charged with fraudulently obtaining temporary work visas, known as H-2A visas, and unlawfully transporting more than 500 foreign laborers across the U.S.-Mexico border. This information comes from a Superseding Indictment by a federal grand jury dated February 11, 2026.
Francisco Rodriguez Martel, Esmeralda Rodriguez, Erica Cisneros, and Giovanna Sierra Carrillo are accused of falsely representing that about 10 farms in Yakima and Benton Counties needed temporary foreign labor from 2022 to 2024. They operated under the name “Harvest Plus” and allegedly submitted fraudulent applications to federal agencies.
The indictment claims the defendants lured workers with promises of legal employment, housing, and fair wages. However, upon arrival in Eastern Washington, many laborers faced harsh conditions, including unpaid overtime and exposure to chemicals.
The indictment further alleges that Rodriguez Martel and Esmeralda Rodriguez threatened workers to prevent them from reporting the illegal practices to authorities.
Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony P. D’Esposito emphasized the commitment to protecting the integrity of labor programs. “Fraud will not be tolerated. Accountability is not optional,” he said.
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano highlighted the significance of the case, stating, “The United States Attorney’s office will protect these vulnerable victims and the integrity of a vital federal program.”
The charges are accusations, and evidence must be presented to a federal trial jury to determine guilt. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Courtney R. Pratten, Jeremy J. Kelley, and Tyler H.L. Tornabene.
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