The Sheepherder Project: Systemic Change for Marginalized Workers

Abstract

This article discusses the various ways in which direct legal services providers can think creatively about how to address systemic problems when the legal rights “on the books” are minimal. Using the exploitation of agricultural workers on the H-2A visas as a case study, it explores how advocates can use multifaceted advocacy, such as public education, collaborative efforts, agency advocacy, and litigation. It concludes that organizations must learn how to reevaluate and adopt new strategies in order to create systemic change strategies for their clients.