Union president Teresa Romero has emerged as a powerful voice for farmworkers across the United States. As the head of the United Farm Workers (UFW), she holds the distinction of being the first Latina and first immigrant woman to lead a national labor union in the country. Her leadership has brought renewed attention to the struggles of agricultural laborers, especially undocumented workers who face unsafe working conditions and immigration-related threats.
Born in Mexico, Teresa Romero became a U.S. citizen in 2011. Before her rise in the labor movement, she worked in the private sector, gaining experience in construction management, legal work, and immigration law. These skills laid the foundation for her later role as a strong advocate for workers’ rights. Her background has given her a deep understanding of the legal and social challenges that farmworkers, many of whom are immigrants, face daily.
Romero took over the presidency of UFW in 2018, following the retirement of Arturo S. Rodriguez. Rodriguez had served for over two decades and was the son-in-law of César Chávez, the legendary labor leader and co-founder of the union. Romero’s appointment marked a historic shift, bringing a new generation of leadership to the organization.
As union president, Teresa Romero has prioritized the safety, dignity, and legal protection of farmworkers. She has led numerous campaigns for better wages, improved working conditions, and health and safety standards. Under her leadership, the union has spoken out strongly against the exploitation of laborers in sectors such as fruit picking, vegetable farming, and cannabis cultivation.
One of Romero’s most pressing concerns has been the treatment of undocumented farmworkers. She has consistently opposed immigration enforcement tactics that target vulnerable laborers. This stance became even more significant during a recent incident in Camarillo, California, where federal immigration officers raided cannabis farms operated by Glass House. During the raid, a farmworker named Jaime Alanis Garcia fell from a greenhouse roof and later died from his injuries. The raid resulted in the arrest of 319 undocumented workers and sparked public outrage.
Teresa Romero condemned the operation, calling it cruel and dangerous. She emphasized that such actions not only hurt individuals and families but also disrupt food production and damage entire communities. Romero also voiced concern over the 14 children found at the farms during the raids. Authorities claimed the children were at risk of forced labor or trafficking. Romero urged officials to offer these children legal protection and warned that young farmworkers often fall through gaps in child labor laws.
In response to ongoing immigration crackdowns, Romero has joined forces with other civil rights groups to challenge enforcement practices. The United Farm Workers, along with the ACLU and various state and local governments, recently won a court ruling that temporarily limits immigration officers from targeting people without reasonable suspicion. This includes avoiding profiling based on appearance, language, or occupation. Romero praised the ruling, seeing it as a step toward protecting the rights of laborers and preventing unjust detentions.
Her activism has also extended to defending the rights of U.S. citizens mistakenly detained during such operations. She has pointed out that overly aggressive enforcement measures can sweep up people who are legally in the country, further eroding trust between communities and government agencies.
Throughout her presidency, Teresa Romero has consistently called for immigration reform that recognizes the essential contributions of farmworkers. She argues that deporting laborers and their families not only violates human rights but also endangers the nation’s food security. Her vision for the future includes stronger legal protections for all agricultural workers, regardless of their immigration status, and an end to enforcement practices that rely on fear and force.
Union president Teresa Romero continues to lead the fight for justice, pushing forward the legacy of the movement founded by César Chávez while addressing the unique challenges of today’s labor landscape.
