The North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) has initiated an inspection following the death of Daniel de la Cruz, a day laborer at Barnes Farming & Farm Park in Nash County.
De la Cruz, a H-2A visa worker, died on October 12, 2025, after being hit by a sweet potato truck on October 3, reported the day laborers' advocacy organization El Futuro es Nuestro.
The Mexican-born worker remained on life support for a week before his death, the statement added.
The NCDOL confirmed to Enlace Latino NC They initiated an inspection but did not provide further details as it is an ongoing process.
De la Cruz leaves behind his wife and daughter in Mexico.
Concern over working conditions at Barnes Farming
Organizations like The future is ours, Student Action with Farmworkers and Wilson Blue House have expressed concern about working conditions at Barnes FarmingThey have also called for strict measures to be taken to prevent future incidents.
This was De la Cruz's first season working in the fields. He had recently arrived in the state, according to the press release from El Futuro es Nuestro.
José Arturo González Mendoza, who died during a heat wave in 2023 on the same farm, was also a newcomer to work at Barnes Farming.
"These circumstances are similar to those of González Mendoza, indicating that Barnes is not adequately preparing new employees or sufficiently protecting its employees," the statement reads.
Enlace Latino NC contacted Barnes Farming but had not received a response at the time of publication.
“Barnes Farming is known for its atrocious treatment of workers; we hope that OSHA and everyone involved in the investigation will ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and that the victims receive justice,” said Martin Perez, an H-2A worker and leader of El Futuro Es Nuestro.
NCDOL reduced fine after 2023 death
Following González Mendoza's death in 2023 at Barnes Farming, the NCDOL fined the farm $187,000.
At that moment, he accused her for intentional violations to occupational safety that caused the death of the worker.
The NCDOL subsequently reached an agreement with Barnes Farming, reducing a fine to $3,750.
As part of the agreement, the Department of Labor removed the word “intentional” from the citation.
Barnes Farming has committed to sending its field managers to occupational safety training and reviewing its policies related to the heatHe also said he would withdraw the lawsuit he had filed against the state.
“It’s especially egregious and outrageous when another farmworker death occurs under the supervision of a company that has previously been fined by the North Carolina Department of Labor,” said Sylvia Zapata, a former farmworker and current executive director of Student Action with Farmworkers.
“The NCDOL must fulfill its mission to protect all workers and regain any remaining credibility by addressing this fatality without conceding anything to repeat violators,” Zapata added.
Related: Enlace Latino NC and Carolina Public Press investigated deficiencies in the H-2A visa program in North Carolina.
Calling out to farmworkers
The Future is Ours and Wilson's Blue House urged workers to contact them with additional information at 252-294-5951 or 919-429-1806.
“We know that in times like this, contractors and ranchers threaten you with silence because they want to keep you under control,” the joint statement read. “Cases like this are very difficult to overcome. If you would like to learn more about your rights in situations like this, please contact El Futuro es Nuestro.”
>> Enlace Latino NC has a digital guide for agricultural workers in North Carolina, with information, resources and services.
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