LSC-funded legal services programs can now provide limited representation to temporary forestry workers, according to a provision in the recently enacted FY 2008 omnibus appropriations act (H.R. 2764).

The provision allows LSC-funded programs to represent non-citizens legally employed in the U.S. as temporary forestry workers under the “H2B” visa program. The representation provided must be in regards to wages, housing, transportation, or other issues specifically relating to the terms of the workers' employment contracts.

Senator Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., introduced the measure as an amendment to the spending bill containing LSC’s appropriation in October 2007. Speaking on the Senate floor in May 2006 about a hearing on the issue, Bingaman said, “We heard that making H-2B forestry workers eligible for legal aid is the single most effective thing Congress could do to address the problem of exploitation of forestry workers.”

In November 2005, California’s Sacramento Bee published an award-winning series of articles on the plight of temporary forestry workers. The series detailed a range of abuses including sub-standard living conditions, low wages, horrific injuries, and more.

To read “The Pineros: Men of the Pines,” from the Sacramento Bee, click here.