A quick history of California farm labor and overview of key demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of farmworkers with special attention to those who are employed by labor contractors. The presentation includes practical recommendations about ways in which labor contractors can improve their workers' well-being by getting involved in overall efforts to support applicants for DACA (deferred action for childhood arrivals) and naturalization. The conclusion is that labor contractors' involvement in supporting pro-immigrant campaigns can contribute to maintaining an adequate labor supply whether or not immigration reform legislation is enacted in 2013.

This presentation reviews the evidence from the New Pluralism study of Arvin, California regarding the sub-populations of rural California families whose access to health care is compromised by their status as unauthorized immigrants. The analysis gives special attention to problems immigrants encounter in communicating with health care providers and in navigating the complex jungle of health care bureaucracy.