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Bracero Program

Definition

The Bracero Program was a series of laws and diplomatic agreements, initiated by an August 1942 exchange of notes between the United States and Mexico, for the importation of temporary contract laborers from Mexico to the United States.

Analogy

Think of the Bracero Program like a student work-study program. Just as students are brought into various departments in a university to help with tasks while they study, Mexican workers were brought into the U.S. to assist with agricultural work and railroad construction during World War II when there was a shortage of manpower.

Historical Context

Historical Context

Historical Significance

The Bracero Program had a profound influence on agricultural practices, immigration patterns, and labor relations in the United States. It set a precedent for guest worker programs and highlighted the reliance of American agriculture on migrant labor. The program also contributed to demographic changes in the U.S., with many braceros establishing permanent residency, thus affecting the cultural and social fabric of communities across the country.

Related terms

Guest Worker Program: A policy that allows foreign workers to temporarily reside and work in a host country until a next round trip.

Migrant Labor: Work done by laborers who move from place to place to do seasonal work.

World War II Homefront: The civilian activities on the home territory of nations involved in World War II; it includes mobilization efforts such as rationing, volunteering, civil defense, etc.