In today’s weak economy, current immigration laws in different states of the country show hostility towards undocumented immigrants. This was not the case during and after World War II where the United States was in need of laborers who would work the fields of California and other states. This documentary explores the Bracero Program, and immigration reform that sought Mexican workers for temporal guest workers. These workers could not join unions, strike, or seek redress of their grievances, making them vulnearable for exploitation. The program was supposed to boost the economies of both countries, but Mexican wives and children were left behind as husbands traveled north in search of the American Dream. The documentary shows how the main reason for the program was to provide cheap labor without regard for the Mexican families.
Type: DocumentaryLength: 56 minutes
Year: 2010
Audio Language: English
Subtitles: Spanish
Themes: Country/Region, Latinos/Chicanos, Mexico, Migration/Immigration, Social Issues, Subject, USA
Director(s): Gilbert Gonzalez