The Great Escape

1. The Great Escape: Indian Workers' Journey from Exploitation to Freedom

"Guest is God."

Lured by false promises. In 2006, hundreds of skilled Indian workers were recruited to work in the United States, promised green cards and good wages. They paid up to $20,000 each for this opportunity, often selling everything they owned or borrowing heavily.

Harsh reality. Upon arrival, they found themselves in labor camps run by Signal International, working long hours in dangerous conditions, living in cramped trailers, and realizing their promised green cards were a lie. Their visas tied them to Signal, leaving them virtually trapped.

Breaking free. In March 2008, led by organizers like Saket Soni, hundreds of workers escaped the camps in a daring move, launching a years-long campaign for justice that would challenge not only Signal but the entire guest worker system in America.

2. Human Trafficking in Plain Sight: Signal International's Labor Camp System

"They were trapped as surely as if they were shackled."

A modern form of bondage. Signal International, a marine fabrication company, created a system that amounted to modern-day indentured servitude:

• Workers lived in guarded, fenced-in camps
• Their movements were restricted
• They were charged high fees for substandard housing and food
• Their passports were initially confiscated
• They faced threats of deportation if they complained

Systemic exploitation. This wasn't just about one bad company. The system involved recruiters in India, immigration lawyers in the U.S., and even collusion with some Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.

Hidden in plain sight. All of this occurred openly in post-Katrina Mississippi and Texas, highlighting how human trafficking can exist within seemingly legitimate business operations.

3. The Power of Collective Action: Organizing and Marching for Justice

"Awaaz do!" (Give me your voices!) "Hum ek hain!" (We are one!)

Building solidarity. Despite fear and isolation, the workers began to organize within the camps, led by individuals like Jacob Joseph and Rajan Pazhambalakode. They formed committees, held secret meetings, and planned their escape and subsequent campaign.

The great march. After escaping, the workers embarked on a dramatic march from New Orleans to Washington D.C., covering over 1,500 miles. This action:

• Brought national attention to their cause
• Put pressure on government officials
• Strengthened the bonds between the workers

Creative tactics. The campaign used various strategies to maintain momentum and pressure:

• Hunger strikes
• Congressional testimony
• Media engagement
• Building alliances with civil rights organizations

4. Legal Battles and Government Complicity: Navigating a Complex System

"ICE is upset because of our campaign. That's why this is all happening."

A twisted investigation. What should have been a straightforward human trafficking investigation became complex due to ICE's involvement:

• ICE agent Alvin Ladner, initially tasked with investigating Signal, instead began targeting the workers
• The Department of Justice investigation was compromised
• T-visas (for trafficking victims) were initially granted, then revoked

Legal victories and setbacks. The workers pursued multiple legal avenues:

• Civil lawsuits against Signal and the recruiters
• Pushing for criminal charges (which were never filed)
• Fighting for T-visas and other forms of immigration relief

Exposing systemic issues. The case revealed deep problems in the guest worker program and immigration enforcement, showing how easily the system could be manipulated to exploit workers.

5. The Human Cost of Immigration Policies: Families Torn Apart

"I crave to see my child."

Years of separation. Many workers left behind wives, children, and aging parents. Some key impacts:

• Missed births, deaths, and major life events
• Strained marriages and relationships
• Children growing up without fathers present

Financial strain. The high recruitment fees and lost wages meant:

• Families in India faced debt collectors and financial ruin
• Workers struggled with guilt and shame over their situation

Psychological toll. The workers faced immense stress:

• Fear of deportation
• Anxiety over their families' well-being
• Depression and feelings of hopelessness

Reunification struggles. Even after winning their case, many faced long waits and bureaucratic hurdles to bring their families to the U.S.

6. Cultural Bridges: Overcoming Barriers in the Fight for Rights

"India is wherever Indians go."

Diverse backgrounds unite. The workers came from different regions of India, speaking various languages and with different cultural and religious backgrounds. The campaign brought them together, forging a new shared identity.

American allies. The workers built connections with:

• Civil rights organizations
• Labor unions
• Faith communities
• Student groups

Cultural exchange. As they fought for their rights, the workers also:

• Shared their food, music, and traditions with supporters
• Learned about American civil rights history
• Adapted their protest tactics to the American context

Lasting impact. These cultural bridges not only strengthened the campaign but also enriched the communities where the workers settled after winning their case.

7. The Long Road to Justice: Victories, Setbacks, and Lasting Impact

"If we have to lose, I would rather lose my life than my honor. Let Bobby inherit my honor. Let him grow up proud."

Major victories:

• Successful civil lawsuits against Signal and recruiters
• Most workers eventually received T-visas
• Family reunifications
• Signal's public apology and bankruptcy

Ongoing challenges:

• No criminal charges were ever filed
• Some workers remained undocumented or separated from family
• Lasting trauma and financial hardship for many

Broader impact:

• Exposed flaws in the guest worker system
• Strengthened alliances between immigrant and labor rights groups
• Inspired other exploited workers to organize and fight back

Personal transformations. Many workers became leaders and advocates, using their experience to help others and push for systemic change.

8. America's Forgotten History: Cycles of Exploitation and Forgetting

"Forgetting allowed large parts of the American economy to run on unfree labor even after the end of slavery."

Historical parallels. The Signal case echoes earlier forms of labor exploitation in America:

• Post-Civil War attempts to import "coolie" labor
• The Bracero program for Mexican farmworkers
• Various guest worker programs

Selective amnesia. American society tends to:

• Express shock at modern labor abuses
• Forget or downplay similar historical practices
• Fail to address root causes of exploitation

Breaking the cycle. The Signal workers' campaign serves as:

• A reminder of this ongoing history
• A call to confront uncomfortable truths about labor and immigration
• An example of how organized resistance can lead to change

Ongoing vigilance. The book argues that without addressing this cycle of forgetting, similar forms of exploitation are likely to recur in new guises.

Last updated: November 19, 2024