The
Bracero program started on August 4, 1942 and ended on December 31, 1964.
The program kicked off right after the United States entered World War II.
The program was put into effect to supply the needed workforce in agriculture.
Since many men had gone off into battle, there was a shortage in labor and as a
result, the need for imported labor grew significantly. The lifestyles of the
Braceros were different depending on location. The camp lifestyle was terrible.
During the recruitment, many Braceros were told tales of high wages and
untold riches. Coming from poverty stricken Mexico, the Braceros needed the money and decided
to venture into the United States in hopes of proving for their families back home. The atmosphere in California was very tense
because of the recent attacks on Pearl Harbor. Anyone of Japanese ancestry was
sent to internment camps. Events such as Japanese internment camps and a huge
spike in immigrant labors brought negative views to the Braceros. During the
length of the Bracero program, Public Law
78 and the implementation “Operation Wetback” in 1954 didn’t do much for the Braceros themselves but more
for the public and farmers. The Bracero Program in California was not what the
immigrant workers expected because they endured harsh living conditions,
discrimination, and no political representation.
About the Author:
My name is Luis Arciniega and I am a Political Science major. I am a Junior at San Diego State University. I hope to attend Law school after receiving my Political Science degree and becoming an Immigration attorney. I was born and raised in Pasadena, Ca. As the son of an illegal immigrant, I want to help immigrants gain permanent residence status.
My name is Luis Arciniega and I am a Political Science major. I am a Junior at San Diego State University. I hope to attend Law school after receiving my Political Science degree and becoming an Immigration attorney. I was born and raised in Pasadena, Ca. As the son of an illegal immigrant, I want to help immigrants gain permanent residence status.