Things didnt go as planned for the Mexicans. The protections that the agreement promised were rarely provided. Their wages were much lower than that of white American. Their wages were barely enough for them to pay off their living accommodations. They were discriminated against and treated in the worst manner possible. Their living accommodations were not fit for humans. There was bad sanitation, no running water, and they lived in small crowded rooms with no windows. Some employers even made Mexicans pay rent for the trees they slept under.
Employers and the country were getting rich off the Mexicans hard work. The bracero program was meant to be for the emergency of the war, but many employers pushed to keep the program going even after the war. Every year the bracero program was in place, more and more Mexicans came to work. Braceros were needed for work mostly in agriculture, but many worked in other industries. Some braceros were hired to work on the railroads, others in mines or canneries, and steel mills.
Braceros were basically slaves, but they didnt complain. In order to keep Braceros form escaping, the United States formulated a program. When a bracero came to work he was to stay with his employer for the whole time. He was to complete his job and when this job was done, he was to return to Mexico. In order to prevent them form running away, the bracero’s paychecks were put on hold. When the braceros work was done he returned to Mexico.
That is when the Bracero received his payment. This was a way to keep them from going into the United States illegally. Independent farmers associations and the Farm Bureau controlled the bracero contracts. The contracts were in English and the braceros would sign them without understanding their full rights and the conditions of employment. When the contracts expired, the braceros were required to turn in their permits and return to Mexico. The braceros could return to their native lands in case of an emergency, only with written permission from their boss. After years the bracero program kept on being approved. Employers liked the program, but they were finding other ways to get workers.
In the following years, braceros continued to suffer. They worked long hours for little pay. Despite the many complaints, employers paid no attention to the bracero workers. As a result of the constant discrimination and injustice the workers experienced, a union was established. In the 1960s, the United Farm Workers union served as an organization the farm workers could go to for help. Those field workers who had been second generation braceros were now able to organize and let their grievances be heard. Benefits, job security, and better field equipment were demands made by the migrant workers. This became the turning point for many of the once disappointed field workers. When workers unions started forming, employers began to dislike the program. The protections for the braceros were stricter and the braceros were beginning to receive better accommodations and treatment. Employers found that hiring illegal aliens instead of braceros was much better. Illegal aliens worked for a much lower wage and couldnt complain. The program was losing power, but there were still some government officials and employers who wanted to keep the program going. The program had provided many good workers. These workers were doing the jobs that most Americans would never take.
On May 29 of 1963, the House of Representatives voted not to approve the program. It was thought that the program would end that December, but after some analysis that Mexico in a subtle way was pushing to keep the program going. The Mexican government wanted the program continued because of the large amounts of money the braceros sent back to their families, thereby helping the Mexican economy. The braceros favored the program because of the opportunities it offered compared to those in their homeland. Workers were now trying hard to keep the program going for another year. Everyone knew that the program was getting close to its demise. It had been approved for the last years by only a narrow margin, but it was already predicted that the program would not go on for much longer. An excess of “illegal” agricultural workers along with the introduction of the mechanical cotton harvester, destroyed the practicality and attractiveness of the bracero program. Many groups were now fighting to finish off the program. They were fighting against imported labor, and the insane conditions in which this people lived in. There was too much pressure from these groups and finally the extension of the program in 1963 proved to be the end of twenty- two year program.
The bracero program did provide Mexicans with the opportunity to enter the United States. Even though the conditions in which they lived throughout the program were harsh, Mexicans complains werent listened too. Many stereotypes that had been given to Mexicans were been challenged during this program. The bracero program officially ended, but Mexicans still do the labor in this country. Now with Workers Unions, they began to receive the protections that they were once promised with the bracero program.
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