Today in Labor History August 4, 1942: U.S. and Mexico began the Bracero Program to provide cheap Mexican labor to replace U.S. workers who were being sent to fight in World War II, and to replace the 500,000 Mexican workers who were deported during the Great Depression in order to mollify xenophobic demands for “white jobs.” The Bracero program also gave farm-owners an alternative to hiring Anglo farm workers who hadn’t been drafted, many of whom were affiliated with the radical IWW. The Bracero program promised decent and sanitary housing and a minimum wage, but these were generally ignored by employers. Additionally, the workers were often subjected to racist attacks. The abuses contributed to the development of the Chicano Movement, the United Farm Workers and other forms of activism.

#WorkingClass #LaborHistory #bracero #chicano #ufw #union #UnitedFarmWorkers #racism #xenophobia #ww2 #IWW #MinimumWage

This is a serious question re: immigrants at southern border:
Has anyone suggested or tried to enact new bracero program whereby undocumented immigrants are permitted to work in farming, agriculture and, in these days, construction? There would be guardrails like minimum 2 years in program, no felonies, pay all taxes, learn English and jobs must first be offered to US citizens or green card holders.

#bracero #immigration #undocumented