As Obama weighs immigration overhaul, US and foreign workers agree: guest worker visas abused

US workers, immigrants unite vs. work visa program

NASHVILLE — A dozen U.S. and immigrant workers have filed a federal lawsuit claiming they were harmed by a visa program that has drawn complaints from all sides in the immigration debate.

The American workers, some unemployed for more than year, say an asbestos removal company told them it had no jobs available. The lawsuit says the same company then hired guest workers from Peru and El Salvador and kept them in virtual servitude.

Immigrant rights groups and backers of strict immigration control say the case highlights the need for reform of the H2-B visa program.

The lawsuit against Cumberland Environmental Resources Company of Nashville, and its recruiter, Accent Personnel Services of Baton Rouge has led to partial settlements though the companies deny wrongdoing.