Dependence on Mexican labor has been a source of great opportunity as well as gr eat conflict for Mexicans and Americans.

In 1942, the United States faced labor shortages caused by World War II. The government initiated a series of agreement s with Mexico to recruit Mexican men to work on U.S. farms and railroads. These agreements became known as the bracero program. Bracero is a term used in Mexico Between for a manual 1942 and laborer. 1964, an estimated two million Mexican men came to the United S tates on short-term labor contracts. A little-known chapter of American and Mexi can history, the bracero program touched the lives of countless people and commu nities. Both bitter and sweet, the bracero experience is a story of both exploit ation andand Braceros opportunity. U.S. farmers had many hopes for the program. U.S. farmers wanted te mporary labor to harvest crops, and Mexico was willing to supply it. There was a n economic depression in Mexico. The prospect of short-term work in the United S tates encouraged millions of Mexican men to begin the long process of being sele cted for the program. Men journeyed north for many reasons most out of necessity, Braceros some to had seeklittle adventure, control andover others what towould starthappen a new once life.they signed a contract t o participate thousands of miles in the away work with program. unfamiliar They climates could be and sentcultures. to farms They had to rely on occasionally 35 the growers to would provide visiting housing, Mexican food, consuls and medical be available care. Only to help with contrac t or health issues. The braceros new life was dramatically different from thei ome villages. Concerns about labor issues plagued the 40 bracero program from the start. With an eye on reducing costs and improving profits, growers saw the bracero program as a source of cheap labor. American farm workers worried that braceros would co mpete for their jobs and lower their 45 wages. Many union leaders were alarmed a boutprogram their The the ability usebrought of toforeign organize bothworkers economic farm labor. and opportunity how that would and unexpected affect hardship to Mexican 50 families. Mexicos government hoped that workers would bring much-needed cash into heir economy. Some men did earn enough money to build houses, buy land, or start businesses in Mexico. Meanwhile, families left behind while men were away had t o The 55 find program waysaffected to get by communities without fathers, across the brothers, Unitedand States. husbands. Some towns held dance s, events 60 church for services the braceros. in Spanish, Many and braceros other social never returned and business to Mexico. Some of them developed personal relationships, married local women, and started new families 65 inbarred the United them from States. restaurants Other towns anddiscriminated movie theaters. against Even some the braceros. local Mexican They Amer icans The 70 throughout program were wary ended the ofworld, in the 1964. new the workers. Just bracero as the program U.S. has helped influenced Mexicanculture cultureand influence business th e U.S. at the end Although of their bracero contracts, workersnot were all supposed did. Many to who return returned to Mexico to Mexico later em igrated 75 aidedto bythe theU.S., experience and knowledge they had gained as braceros. Today, num erous American families and communities can trace their histories to the bracero program.