Cubillo came to the United States under political asylum, after he had been beaten and had two ribs broken for trying to organize in his native country. Despite his ordeal, Cubillo could not resist the call to help organize and better the lives of people in his community. Battling Fear and Distrust Contreras cautioned that it's not all an easy conversation, then signing people up. We have to tell them not to be afraid. Company intimidation of workers seeking to organize moves to an entirely different level when Hispanics are involved.
Nonunion contractors are quick to tell workers that if they attempt to organize they'll be deported.
In Los Angeles, organizer Alex Lopez has faced worker intimidation for years. An organizer for District Council 36 since February 1997, Lopez said that a lot of workers there are illegal and nonunion contractors threaten to fire them or turn them over to Immigration if they attempt to organize. The contractor knows they're illegal when he hired them. That's why he pays them in cash. When he gets caught, there's no repercussion.