California Becomes First State to Regulate Foreign Labor Recruiters With AB 1362

Sacramento, CA (October 2, 2025) — Survivors of trafficking, worker advocates, business leaders, and lawmakers gathered today at the California State Capitol to celebrate Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of AB 1362 (Kalra), a first-in-the-nation law that positions California as a leader against federal rollbacks of worker protections in the agricultural industry.

Though charging illegal recruitment fees and deceiving workers has long been unlawful, recruiters operating abroad have faced little oversight, enabling them to exploit workers with no consequences. As a result, temporary guest workers have routinely been tricked into debt bondage and forced labor, while ethical employers were undercut.

“This is about protecting the very people who put food on California’s tables,” said Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D–San Jose), author of AB 1362. “With this law, California is leading the nation in preventing trafficking and protecting both workers and responsible businesses.”

AB 1362 closes this accountability gap in the agricultural industry by requiring H-2A recruiters to register with the state and post a bond. These mechanisms ensure recruiters follow the law, benefiting the 40,000–50,000 agricultural workers recruited to California each year. Employers who hire through registered recruiters also receive a safe harbor from liability, ensuring fair competition and accountability in the system.

“As no regulatory framework exists nationally—or in any state—to hold foreign labor recruiters accountable, workers remain vulnerable to abuse before even setting foot in the United States,” said Aradhana Tiwari, Senior Policy Counsel at the Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative. “AB 1362 represents a major advance in California. It responds to well-documented abuses among H-2A agricultural workers, while also pointing to the need for broader protections across visa categories.”

Advocates underscored that this law is a breakthrough, but awareness is now essential. Workers must know their rights, employers must know there is a system they can trust, and other states must recognize that such a framework is possible where the federal government has failed.

“Now, we must make sure workers and employers know these protections exist,” said Joe Martínez, Executive Director of CIERTO. “This victory sets the stage for fair competition and a stronger agricultural economy.”

With AB 1362 signed into law, California reaffirms its leadership in worker protection and support for communities vulnerable to trafficking. Survivor voices made clear that while this law is a breakthrough, more must be done to extend protections across all visa categories.

“I was rescued 25 years ago but today we are still fighting for these rights and protections,” said Kanti Salgadu, Survivor Leader. “This is why I believe AB 1362 is an important first step but I hope we continue to fight so all workers are protected one day.”