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PORTLAND, Ore. – The operators of an adult foster care home in Tigard, Oregon, have been charged with multiple counts of forced labor after allegedly coercing three Haitian immigrants, including a minor, to work long hours under threats and intimidation. Marie Gertrude Jean Valmont, 66, and her daughter, Yolandita Marie Andre, 30, were arraigned on Friday in federal court, pleading not guilty to the charges.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon accused Valmont and Andre of forcing two adults and one minor from Haiti to work for them after bringing the victims to the U.S. in 2023 under the pretext of employment. The victims, who arrived in early September 2023, were reportedly made to work 17- to 19-hour days at Valmont and Andre’s facility, Velida’s Care Home, for as little as $2 per hour. Prosecutors allege that the minor, although attending school, was also forced to work without pay.
Court documents reveal that the two adult victims were forced to sleep on the living room floor and had their immigration paperwork confiscated to prevent them from leaving. Authorities claim that Valmont used a range of threats, including deportation, false arrest, and violence against the victims’ families in Haiti, to keep them under control. Prosecutors also allege that Valmont invoked Voodoo curses as a means of intimidation.
The scheme came to light when the minor victim disclosed the situation to a pediatrician in mid-2024. After the minor was placed in a foster home, the two other victims managed to escape in July. The Oregon Department of Justice, in collaboration with federal authorities, began investigating the case, leading to the arrests of Valmont and Andre.
Forced Labor Charges and Allegations
Valmont and Andre face a seven-count federal indictment, including charges of conspiracy to commit forced labor and benefiting from forced labor. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. Prosecutors presented evidence from additional witnesses during the investigation, including a care worker who was not personally exploited but expressed concerns based on observations at Velida’s Care Home.
The investigation also revealed that Valmont had previously engaged in fraudulent immigration practices, raising concerns about her being a flight risk. Prosecutors argued for the continued detention of Valmont and Andre, citing the risk they posed to the victims and the community. The victims expressed fear for their safety, urging the court to keep both defendants in custody. However, Valmont and Andre were released pending further court proceedings.
Broader Context
The case highlights ongoing concerns about labor exploitation and the abuse of vulnerable individuals, particularly immigrants. Valmont and Andre had sponsored the victims’ entry into the United States through a Humanitarian Parole program, a policy designed to assist people from crisis-hit regions. Authorities say the women took advantage of this process to exploit the victims, keeping them in conditions akin to indentured servitude.
Despite the charges, Andre has denied the allegations, stating that the individuals brought over from Haiti were not employees but relatives being supported by her and her mother. Andre has maintained that her family was only helping the victims escape difficult conditions in Haiti, covering their living expenses and medical care, and that the accusations are baseless.
The next steps in the case are expected to unfold in the coming months as the court reviews the evidence presented by prosecutors and the defense.
Source: KGW8 News
