Weekly Briefing
Farm Worker Rights & Work Permit Public Comments
April 17, 2026
Weekly Round-Up on local and international developments, guest organizer Leticia Zavala of El Futuro Es Nuestro and the Not One More Death Campaign, a call action to the NC Department of Labor, and a public comment campaign opposing a proposed federal asylum work permit rule.
Weekly Round-Up
- Last Sunday, the Greensboro PD publicly harassed a critic on Facebook. In retaliation for his criticism of their social media presence, the GPD posted his photo, full name, and a mocking message. He received threatening harassment from others as a result.
- The Christian Nationalist coalition is fracturing after social media posts and conflict between Trump, JD Vance, and the pope. Evangelical activists like anti-LGBTQ+ rights figure Riley Gaines criticized Trump for the photo, and numerous bishops and Catholic leaders have heavily criticized him for his attacks on Pope Leo.
- In Hungary, Trump-favored and pro-Russia Prime Minister Viktor Orban lost his re-election campaign to Peter Magyar. It is important to note that while Magyar is an improvement to democracy overall, he still solidly resides in the country’s right. Not unlike Maria Machado, we must be careful about our support.
- Shout out to those whose Letters to the Editor about the War in Iran were published last week. Ian Cowie in the Transylvania Times, and Mary Hunt and Eileen Hansoen in Salisbury Post.
Guest / Topic
Leticia Zavala and Not One More Death Campaign
Leticia is the Co-Coordinator at El Futuro Es Nuestro, a Blueprint partner organizing farm workers in North Carolina. She’s here to tell us about a campaign to protect farm workers from heat death and injury in our state. With Earth Day right around the corner, it’s important to note that the fight against climate change is directly tied to labor rights and immigration injustice. All our struggles are connected.
Action Items
Call the NC Department of Labor and Commissioner Luke Farley
Call the NC Department of Labor and leave a message for Commissioner Luke Farley urging protections for workers including water, breaks, medical attention, heat protection, and enforceable emergency plans.
View ActionThe UU Solidarity Initiative’s Work Permit Comment Campaign
Submit a unique public comment opposing the proposed DHS rule that would restrict asylum seekers’ access to work permits, using the Federal Register comment page and the provided prompts.
View ActionAnnouncements
Vigil at the UU Fellowship of Raleigh on April 28th at 3 PM
Leticia Zavala invites participants to join a vigil to remember workers who have died and demand protections for those who live.
View Announcement