August 4 - The Bracero Program is Created

This Day in History: 4 August 2020

 

4 August 1942

 

78 years ago, today, the United States and Mexico signed the Mexican Farm Labour Agreement, creating the 'Bracero Program'. This program lasted until 1964 and was the largest guest-worker program in American history. It benefitted both farmers and labourers, but also produced many labour disputes, gave rise to the abuse of workers and other problems. The federal government had been previously worried that American entry into World War Two would deprive the southwest of much of its farm labour, but the program became an important part of the region's economy and outlasted the war.

 

The Bracero Program guaranteed workers many basic protections, but farm owners often failed to live up to these requirements. Housing and food was frequently well below standards, and wages were low and late. Many labourers were still fighting to receive the money that had been taken from their salaries years after the program had ended. The 60s and 70s also saw the rise of the United Farm Workers, a union that composed mainly of Mexicans that fought against the same inequalities as the laborers had faced. Today, migrant, Mexican labour continues to be a key part of the southwestern economy and a source of political and racial tension.

 

Want to find out more about the Bracero Program? Click here for more information, or here for more about Mexican immigration into the United States.