Farming is widely recognized as a challenging profession, involving long hours in the operation of hazardous machinery and engaging in other demanding activities. Recent research from Rice University indicates that indigenous farm workers—many of whom hold legal status in the U.S. following their migration from Latin America—might actually encounter more physical pain on the job compared to undocumented workers.
Authors Christina Diaz, an associate professor of sociology, and Erick Samayoa, a graduate student in sociology, conducted the study titled “Away from Home, Into the Fields: Assessing the Health of Undocumented and Indigenous Farmworkers,” featured in a recent issue of Social Science & Medicine. The researchers analyzed data from the National Agricultural Worker Survey, which included over 20,000 participants to gain insights into the lives of farm workers in the U.S. Notably, more than 60% of them are undocumented and potentially vulnerable to worse working conditions and exploitation.
The findings revealed that undocumented workers reported better physical health than their indigenous counterparts. In contrast, indigenous workers were the most likely to indicate experiencing physical pain related to their work.
The researchers identified several factors that may contribute to the greater physical pain experienced by these individuals.
“Firstly, those who migrate to the U.S., such as many undocumented workers, are generally in excellent health,” Diaz explained. “They tend to be young and energetic enough to undertake a challenging migration journey and have the necessary resources to do so.”
On the flip side, indigenous groups encounter what Samayoa refers to as “cumulative disadvantage,” facing discrimination as indigenous individuals both in Latin America before migrating and again upon arriving in the U.S.
“This encompasses language barriers since many of these individuals do not speak English or Spanish, hindering their ability to advocate for themselves unlike many undocumented workers,” Samayoa added. “We propose that due to the significant discrimination and socioeconomic challenges faced by the indigenous population, any advantages that legal status could bring might be overshadowed.”
The researchers express hope that their work will illuminate the complexities surrounding immigrant populations in the U.S. and the varied challenges they face, dependent on their unique backgrounds.
Additionally, the study was co-authored by Sergio Chavez, an associate professor of sociology at Rice University, and Victoria Bejarano, a former student at the University of Houston.
