If any employer does not pay the last paycheck, you may decide to send a letter demanding payment. There is a sample letter at the end of this chapter.
In addition to the demand letter, you may decide to make a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor if your work affects interstate commerce (most work does). Complaints should be made to the nearest District Office of the U.S. Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor. A directory of Wage and Hour District Offices can be found on the Department of Labor website at dol.gov/dol/location.htm. The Wage and Hour Division’s toll-free help line can be reached at 1-866-487-9243.
You may also decide to file complaints with your state government. A list of state labor offices can be found on the Department of Labor website at dol.gov/whd/contacts/state_of.htm. There are often long delays in investigations by state labor offices.
The Consulado de Mexico in the area where the work was performed or where you lived in the United States may also be able to help.
Many nonprofit organizations provide support for immigrant workers.
Resources include:
- National Immigration Law Center: nilc.org
- National Employment Law Project: nelp.org
- Equal Justice Center: equaljusticecenter.org
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid: trla.org
For Deported Immigrants in Mexico
Deported Mexican Immigrants can receive support for wage violations from the Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (cdmigrante.org; toll-free from the United States at 1-855-234-9699 or toll free from Mexico at 01-800-590-1773) and Justice in Motion (justiceinmotion.org).