U.S. "guest" worker program exploitative: report

"Let's just look at what we have. A small guest worker program now is terrible. What makes us believe that a giant guest worker program is going to be better," she said.

Around 32,000 people were employed under the "H-2A" program in 2005 whose benefits include free housing and limited free travel to and from the home country, medical benefits and guaranteed work of at least 75 percent of the hours promised.

Some 90,000 workers were employed under the "H-2B" program, which has few such protections and guarantees.

The Center was founded in Alabama in 1971 to practice civil rights law and is a leading advocate against hate groups.