Buena Vista, California, United States
A Mexican couple named Paula Luna Alvarez and Carlos Contreras Del Carmen, wealthy restaurant owners in San Jose, CA, allegedly brought in approximately 30 Mexicans over an undisclosed period of time. Mr. del Carmen recruited Mexicans, promising them $500/week to come and work in the United States, but when they arrived, they were forced to live in squalid conditions in the families' garage. They were forced to sell food on the street or work in the restaurants, and were ordered to avoid speaking to anyone and to avoid eye contact. The restaurants also have been a front for money laundering, with thousands of dollars passing through them to Mexico, though little of it ended up with the families of the victims.
Location
United States · Buena Vista, California · 2009 (location generalized to protect survivors)
Response & intervention
see above
40 FBI agents stormed the couples house at 5AM on June 13, 2008, with subsequent raids at their restaurants and another home they owned in the area. 4 victims were found on site, where they were all forced to live in the garage, as well as the children of the couple.
unknown, but the Mexican consulate in San Jose has promised to take care of its citizens and the children of the couple.
Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don't have a verifiable source on file yet — use “Report a problem” below to add one.