My grandfather was a Bracero. He joined the program through El Paso, TX, then moved to the Central Valley, California to work on the railroads. My grandfather became a citizen in 1952, twelve years after he applied for citizenship. He received a miniscule portion his stolen savings ($3500) in 2004 on a local news show. It breaks my heart that my grandfather was exploited and left in deplorable conditions to work and support/build California and the U.S. during it's time of need, only to be looked down upon and discriminated against because as a "Mexican", "they" are stealing American jobs. To this day, he is proud of the work he did in order to buy a government home and raise a family. My grandfather is now 92 and he's still humble about the opportunities he had, despite the conditions he worked under. Please do not stop making your film. Americans need to know how intertwined Mexicans have been in the U.S. history. Braceros like these men and my grandfather deserve to be highlighted with dignity.
My grandfather was an American citizen that worked building the railroads his entire life from 1930 forward. As a teenager he worked for .15 cents a day. He was proud of the work he did and was conservative with his small wage. After retirement he worked other jobs, bagging groceries and painting houses to supplement the $500.00 a month he got from SS to live in this modern day economy until he was 85 yrs old. Eventually he had to move in with mom and dad, as he could not work anymore with his hunch back, broken jaw and crooked finger. My grandfather was proud of the hard labor work he did and never complained, he did not see himself as exploited and a victim and neither do I.
my dad still has a picture of my grandpa picking fruit when he was in the bracero program. Feel like it would make a good movie to make on the journey of one of the braceros. would tell a part of history few know about.
My dad was. Bracero .. though I didn't know of it until he passed away . When I was attending a History course at IVC , was when we learned about the Bracero movement. My mom told me my dad was a Bracero.. amazing ..
I too feel that this story deserves to be told. I am an undergrad and am writing a thesis paper on the Bracero program, however, from a gendered perspective that focuses on the women and children and how they adapted to the prolonged absences, how it affected the family dynamic and the long term effects on the family. I invite bracero family members to contact me if they are interested on having this important part of history told.
thank you for sharing I'm collecting pictures and family history and writing a movie script about my gram-parents journey... thank you for this video its priceless
I just read a book named The Mexican Operation. By Lee Silva. What a great novel of historical fiction. I learned so much about the Bracero Act of the 50's and yet it read like a wonderful novel. Well written and easy to read. This book really makes you empathize with struggles of the Mexicans of this period.
God bless these men. They had families to support and thirst for work. Some people do not understand why Mexicans have so much pride. It is because of THIS because of how much heart we have, because we are honest hard working people. Because we believe in working hard for what we want and once given the opportunity we thrive. Everyone who comes to America has that same opportunity, but some dont take it, even those who are natural born citizens!!
My grandfather was a bracero in the 1950's he worked so hard for his family in mexico. my grandpa was the giving the chance to become a US citezen if he met his work contract which he did. when he return to mexico for his family he lost his bracero identification card (also known as a mica) in the process of the move. In order to receive the money that the goverment still owes alot of the braceros he needs prove that he was a bracero!
Amazing. Has this been completed yet? I have been gathering information about the Bracero program for a class project; however, the main reason has been to get to know a bit more about my past. My maternal grandfather was part of the guest-worker program, and my mom often expressed her sorrow for how badly they were treated. Nonetheless, these men endured hardship and humiliation to ensure the future of generations to come. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!
Hi Yesenia - You should talk to Leonel Flores in Fresno at Union de Ex-Braceros e Inmigrantes (UNEI). I hope this helps. I'm doing a book know with all the portraits I have made over the last several years. If your grandfather is interested in being a part, please contact me. Other braceros welcome too. -Craig
I nearly cried when the one man said he lost three children. Children always have to suffer because of greedy men. This world is sick. What the braceros had to go thru was inhumane. Now my felow Americans are complaining about illegal immigrants. We started this problem in the first place. We have nobody to blame but oursellves.
Hola Buen día. Un cordial saludo. Un compañera y su servidor, trabajamos en el rescate de la memoria de los Breceros de El Arenal, Jalisco. En Estados Unidos. Fue una tesis completa por medio de entrevistas orales, cartas, fotos, etc. Nos ponemos a sus ordenes para cualquier apoyo e intercambio de trabajos académicos. Eduardo Saldivar Rosales. Zapopán, Jalisco, México.
I think this is great work that is being done. The only thing I would suggest is to allow these men to share the stories. Unfortunately with translation sometimes the essence of what is said it is lost. Allow for these men to convey their feelings and experiences without someone else sharing their stories. Captions would be best to allow for those who don’t understand Spanish to partake in their storytelling. Is there a Spanish version of this?
My dad is 93 and was a bracero for many many years ..yes he is now an American citizen but he never received that elusive %10 that the Mexican government kept ....any one here know how and or where to get some of those old documents ( alien labor ID ) so my dad can claim his money...Braceros dont want hand outs just what's owed they are proud hard working men and i doubt any of them every applied for unemployment or food stamps ....
According to this link, the bracero or family-member had to apply by 2008. But maybe there is another way if you search a bit more. Here's what I found: www.ufw.org/pdf/EnglishClaimform.pdf
Pretty disrespectful to have this cheesy narration over his voice when he's speaking spanish instead of just using subtitles and preserving the interview
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My grandfather was a Bracero. He joined the program through El Paso, TX, then moved to the Central Valley, California to work on the railroads. My grandfather became a citizen in 1952, twelve years after he applied for citizenship. He received a miniscule portion his stolen savings ($3500) in 2004 on a local news show. It breaks my heart that my grandfather was exploited and left in deplorable conditions to work and support/build California and the U.S. during it's time of need, only to be looked down upon and discriminated against because as a "Mexican", "they" are stealing American jobs. To this day, he is proud of the work he did in order to buy a government home and raise a family. My grandfather is now 92 and he's still humble about the opportunities he had, despite the conditions he worked under. Please do not stop making your film. Americans need to know how intertwined Mexicans have been in the U.S. history. Braceros like these men and my grandfather deserve to be highlighted with dignity.
My grandfather was an American citizen that worked building the railroads his entire life from 1930 forward. As a teenager he worked for .15 cents a day. He was proud of the work he did and was conservative with his small wage. After retirement he worked other jobs, bagging groceries and painting houses to supplement the $500.00 a month he got from SS to live in this modern day economy until he was 85 yrs old. Eventually he had to move in with mom and dad, as he could not work anymore with his hunch back, broken jaw and crooked finger. My grandfather was proud of the hard labor work he did and never complained, he did not see himself as exploited and a victim and neither do I.
@Stand Dawn as an AMERICAN Citizen he didnt go through what undocumented workers went through. Your comment is irrelevant especially the last part!
This is a very important part of American history. Thank you so much for talking to these men and getting their stories
my dad still has a picture of my grandpa picking fruit when he was in the bracero program. Feel like it would make a good movie to make on the journey of one of the braceros. would tell a part of history few know about.
My dad was. Bracero .. though I didn't know of it until he passed away . When I was attending a History course at IVC , was when we learned about the Bracero movement. My mom told me my dad was a Bracero.. amazing ..
So proud of him and every man in this movement.
Thank you, for your great work, these men deserve to be recognized.
I too feel that this story deserves to be told. I am an undergrad and am writing a thesis paper on the Bracero program, however, from a gendered perspective that focuses on the women and children and how they adapted to the prolonged absences, how it affected the family dynamic and the long term effects on the family. I invite bracero family members to contact me if they are interested on having this important part of history told.
yes. teaching us history. looking for resources
thank you for sharing I'm collecting pictures and family history and writing a movie script about my gram-parents journey... thank you for this video its priceless
I just read a book named The Mexican Operation. By Lee Silva. What a great novel of historical fiction. I learned so much about the Bracero Act of the 50's and yet it read like a wonderful novel. Well written and easy to read. This book really makes you empathize with struggles of the Mexicans of this period.
God bless these men. They had families to support and thirst for work. Some people do not understand why Mexicans have so much pride. It is because of THIS because of how much heart we have, because we are honest hard working people. Because we believe in working hard for what we want and once given the opportunity we thrive. Everyone who comes to America has that same opportunity, but some dont take it, even those who are natural born citizens!!
My grandfather was a bracero in the 1950's he worked so hard for his family in mexico. my grandpa was the giving the chance to become a US citezen if he met his work contract which he did. when he return to mexico for his family he lost his bracero identification card (also known as a mica) in the process of the move. In order to receive the money that the goverment still owes alot of the braceros he needs prove that he was a bracero!
We're in the same boat, noticedyou posted this comment 6 yrs ago, hopefully you got everything sorted out.
Amazing. Has this been completed yet?
I have been gathering information about the Bracero program for a class project; however, the main reason has been to get to know a bit more about my past. My maternal grandfather was part of the guest-worker program, and my mom often expressed her sorrow for how badly they were treated. Nonetheless, these men endured hardship and humiliation to ensure the future of generations to come.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!
My grandfather was a bracero also. My abelo was ripped off also. He ended up getting a fraction of his pension.
Hi Yesenia - You should talk to Leonel Flores in Fresno at Union de Ex-Braceros e Inmigrantes (UNEI). I hope this helps. I'm doing a book know with all the portraits I have made over the last several years. If your grandfather is interested in being a part, please contact me. Other braceros welcome too. -Craig
I nearly cried when the one man said he lost three children. Children always have to suffer because of greedy men. This world is sick. What the braceros had to go thru was inhumane. Now my felow Americans are complaining about illegal immigrants. We started this problem in the first place. We have nobody to blame but oursellves.
i cried :( it hits hard when you have a child, i feel the same way about greedy men and and the mexican government at the time
no u did not lol
thank you and keep going!
Hola Buen día.
Un cordial saludo.
Un compañera y su servidor, trabajamos en el rescate de la memoria de los Breceros de El Arenal, Jalisco. En Estados Unidos.
Fue una tesis completa por medio de entrevistas orales, cartas, fotos, etc.
Nos ponemos a sus ordenes para cualquier apoyo e intercambio de trabajos académicos.
Eduardo Saldivar Rosales.
Zapopán, Jalisco, México.
I think this is great work that is being done. The only thing I would suggest is to allow these men to share the stories. Unfortunately with translation sometimes the essence of what is said it is lost. Allow for these men to convey their feelings and experiences without someone else sharing their stories. Captions would be best to allow for those who don’t understand Spanish to partake in their storytelling. Is there a Spanish version of this?
The start of Big Agra.
My last name is Braceros:)
can u send me the original spanish audio? I wanna compare it to what you actually translated it to.
If anyone knows or has information on were or who i have to talk to get that for him PLEASE PLEASE HELP US.
and when my grandfather in mexico got money from the US for the work he did here, the typical mexican government took half. In the 1980s
MY NAME IS YESENIA BAUTISTA. THANK YOU EVERYONE
I’m a bracero
granpa from zacapu
My dad is 93 and was a bracero for many many years ..yes he is now an American citizen but he never received that elusive %10 that the Mexican government kept ....any one here know how and or where to get some of those old documents ( alien labor ID ) so my dad can claim his money...Braceros dont want hand outs just what's owed they are proud hard working men and i doubt any of them every applied for unemployment or food stamps ....
According to this link, the bracero or family-member had to apply by 2008. But maybe there is another way if you search a bit more. Here's what I found: www.ufw.org/pdf/EnglishClaimform.pdf
Pretty disrespectful to have this cheesy narration over his voice when he's speaking spanish instead of just using subtitles and preserving the interview
How does somebody that has lived in the United States as long as he has not know how to speak English?
They were there to work! and if everyone you work with, speaks spanishs your not going to learn english.
I dont think they had time for that!
Ok, just completely pass over the suffering.
They came here straight to work, and it’s not that they had money nor time to take English lessons. Besides American farm bosses spoke fluent Spanish.