Mexican Immigration in Post-WWII U.S.

Bracero Program Video: Bracero Program Think-Pair-Share one new thing you thought was interesting from the video with your partner. Content Vocabulary: Bracero Program; Operation Wetback; Academic Vocabulary: immigrant; agricultural economy

Bracero Continued WWII brought on a shortage in farm labor. U.S. government started the Bracero program to ease the labor shortage in 1942. It allowed thousands of Mexicans to migrate to the U.S. for temporary work in farming and railroad construction. Workers were paid very low wages and lived in harsh conditions. U.S. farm owners came to support the extension of the program. The program ended in 1964. 4.6 million Mexicans were admitted to the U.S. for farm work.

Checking for Understanding What year did the Bracero Program begin? Why did the U.S. government start the program? Why do you think U.S. farm growers/owners wanted to extend the program?

Economics of the Bracero Program U.S. farm owners and other U.S. industries became reliant on low wage workers. Mexican workers became dependent on U.S. jobs. This created a permanent shift in Mexico-U.S. immigration patterns, particularly in California and Texas that still exists today: Mexicans immigrate to the U.S. for work and return home for short periods and return to the U.S. to earn more money.

Economics Continued Bracero workers in California saw wages rise 41%, from $0.85 an hour in 1950 to $1.20 in 1960 Factory workers saw wages rise 63% from $1.60 in 1950 to $2.60 in 1960.

Checking for Understanding How much money did a Bracero worker earn per hour in 1950? THINK-PAIR-SHARE one of these What is the economic relationship between U.S. farm growers and Mexican workers? How do they support each other? What migration pattern emerged as a result of the Bracero Program?

Operation Wetback President Dwight D. Eisenhower initiated the operation in 1954. The number of immigrants deported is not known; historians estimate that about 300,000 were deported Abuses and deaths occurred during the deportations and in some cases U.S. citizens were illegally deported. Eisenhower’s ultimate goal was to push Mexican immigrants to join the Bracero program. As many as 3,000 immigrants were apprehending by immigration authorities.

Checking For Understanding What president implemented Operation Wetback? What was the goal of the deportations? Thinking of the Historical Significance The Bracero Program and subsequent deportation of illegal immigrants demonstrates the mixed immigration policies towards Mexicans. It created a transformational shift in immigration patterns and movements, especially in California and Texas.

Answer one of the following questions in 3-5 sentences on a Exit Slip. How do you think the Bracero Program and Operation Wetback impacted Mexican immigration? What do you think is the historical significance of the Bracero Program? How do you think the Bracero Program will influence later movements for farm workers rights? What were some of the effects on the agricultural economy?