Case: Tetzaguic Lux v. Centrum Valley Farms
3:25-cv-03017 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
Filed Date: March 14, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This is a case alleging mistreatment of immigrant workers by an employer. On March 14, 2025, six Guatemalan nationals filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa. The plaintiffs sued their former employer, Centrum Valley Farms, and their former supervisor. They alleged that their employer failed to compensate them with overtime, and that their supervisor harassed them and demoted or transferred them based on their national origin and ethnicity. According to the plaintiffs, when they reported this to HR and the government, their employer threatened to fire and deport them, and their supervisor began displaying a gun to intimidate them. Finally, some plaintiffs were ultimately fired for filing complaints. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants violated the Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022 (TVPRA) by forcing the plaintiffs to work using threats of violence, legal action, and termination of employment; the plaintiffs also brought Fair Labor Standards Act claims for failure to pay overtime. The plaintiffs brought additional state law claims, including claims under the Iowa Civil Rights Act for harassment and discrimination based on national origin, race, and skin color, as well as for retaliation. Finally, they brought wrongful discharge and negligent hiring/supervision claims. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, sought compensatory and punitive damages. This case was assigned to Chief Magistrate Judge Kelly K.E. Mahoney.
This case is ongoing as of May 5, 2025.
Summary Authors
Kaoru Terauchi (5/24/2025)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69773604/parties/tetzaguic-lux-v-centrum-valley-farms/
Mahoney, Kelly K.E. (Iowa)
Bergmann, Benjamin David (Iowa)
Sandbothe, Nathan (Iowa)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69773604/tetzaguic-lux-v-centrum-valley-farms/
Last updated April 3, 2026, 5 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 14, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Six Guatemalan nationals who worked for Centrum Valley Farms
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Private Entity/Person
Centrum Valley Farms
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), 29 U.S.C. §§ 201-219
Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), 18 U.S.C. § 1589
Other Dockets:
Northern District of Iowa 3:25-cv-03017
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Immigration/Border:
Case Summary of Tetzaguic Lux v. Centrum Valley Farms, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/46267/ (last updated 5/24/2025).