DENNIS BALLARD, DEXTER BROWN, CLARENCE CALVERT, KELVIN CARPENTER, EDDIE DEAN, HUBERT DEAN, ROBERT DEAN, Jr., GERRY GAMBLE, ROBERT GREER, BILAL HAYNES, RONNIE MOORE, REGIS WASH, MARCUS WASH, KENNIE WILLIAMS v. WILLIAM J. “JERRY” NOBILE, and et al.
Fourteen Black farmers have sued [pdf attached: Fish Farm Labor Complaint] Mississippi-based Nobile Fish Farms in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, alleging the aquaculture business has illegally favored Mexican seasonal workers at the expense of Black U.S. citizens on staff in violation of the H-2A visa program, which allows U.S. businesses to temporarily fill agricultural positions with migrant workers if the positions can't be filled with U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Plaintiffs also have claimed breach of contract and discrimination on the basis of race and/or alienage in violation of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1981. Plaintiffs are seeking declaratory judgment, damages, injunctive relief, and fees and costs.
[To accompany Case Law Update "Black Farmers Allege Mississippi Fish Farms Violated the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act and the Civil Rights Act " from Brooks Animal Law Digest Issue No. 205]