Comments on: Mexican braceros to receive compensation

By: luis

luis — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:02:15 +0000

Let every one of us seek the facts, research the law of the times, find the archives being held by the Mexican and U.S. goverments and take effective action agianst the violators. I will gladly pay out of my pocket to persue those who are currently witholding funds that do not belong to them. If you are in agreement, I praise you for your valor. If you do not agree, than keep crying and keep begging, maybe you will get a crum tossed to you just to satisfy your meager needs. Long live the BRACEROS and all they have done for this great nation, their decendents, country of origin and their intricate block that weaves the tapestry of this great nation. Our nation. A nation of natural people of this land, Immigrants and their decendents. People of all religions and no religions alike, be whom they may be. And a meassage to the weasels that have plundered what does not rightfully belong to them, in the words of my father who is a BRACERO.” QUE SE METAN LO QUE ME TOCA EN EL CULO, QUE MAS FALTA LES ACE A ELLOS QUE AMI.”

By: carrasco mascial

carrasco mascial — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:08:39 +0000

i did work as brasero

By: James

James — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:27:27 +0000

Ana, I’m sorry to hear that your grandfather passed away without receiving the remainder of his pay from the Mexican government. I do not know whether you, as his granddaughter, are able to claim that money, but the lawsuit did provide for heirs of deceased workers to claim their remaining wages.

It sounds like you live in the United States, and so I would suggest that your first step should be to contact the nearest Mexican consulate for information. This is where you would file a claim, and hopefully they can give you accurate information about whether a claim can still be filed, whether you as his granddaughter can file a claim, and what documentation would be required. Good luck!

By: Ana

Ana — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:35:45 +0000

my grandfather was a bracero and recently passed away without ever claiming his money! i have his papers to prove that he was here in the united states working as a bracero what can i do to get the money? can i even get it because i am his grabddaughter?

By: Carmen Locklear

Carmen Locklear — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:56:11 +0000

Here in El Paso, TX, The Sin Fronteras Organization, which is ran by Carlos Marentes, has received the approval to distribute these monies, which the Braseros of the 1940′s and 1950′s are entitled to get. Yet, the director of this organization, has for the past 3 or 4 years, done nothing for these people. He has made them come in and out of his office so many times in the past 4 years, and all are tired of no results. He does not accept their proof and insists on unrealistic proof from these old people, who struggle to get to his office because of their age, their health, and their economic situations. He continually avoids these souls who deserve to get what is legally earned by them. One of these persons was my father, who attended meetings by the for almost 4 years, heard promises, heard excuses, and requirements by this man, but never the opportunity to receive this money. My father died two months ago at age 89. He worked in the fields up until age 85. He went to the Sin Fronteras Organization faithfully for 4 years. Mr. Marentes had him and so many others believing that he would help; yet he does not help these old people who faithfully attend whatever meetings he has. Mr. Marentes is not helping these individuals who have earned these money, who took pride in being a part of the Brasero Program established in the 1940′s. Mr. Marentes does not care about these individuals, their sacrifice for this country, their work ethics, and their compensation earned.

By: James

James — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:35:38 +0000

It’s quite a statement about the confusion surrounding this program that so many people have found their way to this blog in an attempt to locate basic information and support. A number of people have left comments on this page, and others have used the form on the contact page to reach out to me directly.

I have no expertise in the handling of claims for the braceros program. However, my understanding from reading newspaper and scholarly accounts is that the process for claiming compensation depends upon whether the former braceros, or any heirs, live in Mexico or in the United States.

In the case of residents of the U.S., the class action lawsuit dictates the process to be followed, and I believe the first step is to contact the nearest Mexican consulate for information and to file a claim. If the claim has not been honored, I would try the consulate first in order to learn more about the status of the claim. If that fails, or if the Mexican government denies the claim, I think contacting a U.S. lawyer would have to be the next step.

In the case of residents of Mexico, all claims are handled by the Mexican government. I believe that requires contacting a Mexican federal office for information or to pursue a claim. As in the U.S., if that claim is denied, I would assume the next step would have to be to consult with a lawyer, in this case, a lawyer licensed to practice in Mexico.

By: Felipe Mendoza Medrano

Felipe Mendoza Medrano — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:01:10 +0000

My dad come as a bracero in`942, but he dont have any papers to prove that he was here is there any place where i can ask any information about his history can sand any information at maggie rotolo @live.com

By: Arnold

Arnold — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 22:31:11 +0000

My grandfather was also in the Bracero program. He made multiple trips one was on 9-30-1956 and has still not received the settlement of 3500 back in 2008 and is now in poor health due to a mini-stroke. I want to know if he has any recourse that will let him get any benefits. and any information that can get him any type of medical assistance. He lives in Mexico but we want to bring him here but he is afraid of losing the little pension he has there if there is no guaranty that he will get any help.

By: luis

luis — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:13:40 +0000

My father was a guest worker from about 1950 to 1963 at which time the program ended. He went to the Mexican counsel and he was told he needed his guest worker card(I.D) check stubs, name(s) of the company(s) he worked for, location of the work site and the name(s) of his supervisor. MY father knew this was not going to be possible and politely excused himself to the young lady stating in spanish,” I know you are only doing your job and you have no idea of what we went through. I am not willing to go through the obstacles the Mexican government is demanding. So if you could please tell your supervisor(s) to take my share and shove it up their —, they probably need it more than I do.” The young lady looked at the floor and stated.” I am very sorry sir, I am only doing my job.” My father left feeling somewhat victorious. A few years later, one of my children was attending Santa Clara University and wrote an article about my father as a Brasero. In her report she articulated the good times and bad times my father and his camaradas went through to include the above scenario. As she related all of the students applauded and a few of them shed a few tears as I did when she told me the story.

By: James

James — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:21:52 +0000

Lorenzo, the process for being compensated, and the options for learning about the status of a claim, depend on whether the claim was filed in the U.S. or Mexico. Can you tell us where your father submitted his claim?