Mon 15 Oct, 2012
Compensation for Mexican braceros
Comments (11) Filed under: RemediesTags: Braceros, Mexican-Americans, Reparations
Four years ago, I wrote a short blog post about a preliminary settlement in the case of Mexican braceros denied wages earned as guest workers in the U.S. in World War II.
Since that time, the post has attracted a steady flow of visitors searching the web for information about receiving compensation for family members who were braceros. These visitors, and the comments they’ve left asking for information, indicate just how many uncompensated braceros remain in the U.S. and Mexico, as well as the rampant confusion surrounding this case.
I have no expertise in the handling of claims for the braceros program. However, because of the number of visitors who’ve asked for information, and the fact that this exchange is buried in the comments on that page, I want to provide here a summary of what I know.
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 dictated the process to be followed, and the first step was to contact the nearest Mexican consulate for information and to file a claim. For example, as of a year ago, the Mexican consulate in Yuma, Arizona was actively seeking former braceros who had filed a claim but not yet received compensation. Each claimant is apparently receiving about $3,000 U.S.
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.
If anyone has better or more recent information than this, please leave it in the comments, and I will update the main post.
Mexican braceros to receive compensation | The Living Consequences says:
[…] Update: For the latest information that I have on seeking compensation for former braceros, please see this post. […]
Glenna D. Harris says:
Working conditions were harsh, but the benefits were next to nothing as a lot of Mexicans on that era and under those employment were living with below minimum wage. It was a time of great hardship.
Yolanda B. Escudero says:
My father was a Bracero but I don’t know where and how to start the process
Gloria Macias says:
This interests me, because my Uncle still talks about the days when he worked as a bracero and doesn’t know where to go to file a claim for the money owed to him.
Rick Espinoza says:
Sitting here in my remodeled garage talking to my neighbor and he starts talking about his dad coming to the U.S. as a brasero , he wasn’t aware of the brasero program, how can he obtain an application?
James DeWolf Perry says:
Rick, I don't know whether the compensation process is still ongoing, but if so, a U.S. resident would want to contact the nearest Mexican consulate to begin the process.
Adrianna Villamar says:
My father was a brasero in 1942 and worked for the railroad..i am very interested in this info.
Thank you!
Yolanda Sandoval says:
I need to know what dept handles payments- as my uncle is owed
For his work in USA.
James DeWolf Perry says:
Yolanda, as you can see above, the process appears to depend on where your uncle lives. There was a class-action lawsuit for residents of the U.S., which required them to contact the nearest Mexican consulate to file a claim. Mexican residents needed to contact the Mexican government to pursue a claim. However, it's been more than a decade, and I don't know whether these avenues are still open.
Esteban Bernal says:
My father came as a brasero in 1943 , then I got my resident status to work in the fields I want to know if government owes me money of my father’s and my salary’s. I want to know the process please. Thank you
James DeWolf Perry says:
I'm afraid that all I know about the process is in this post. If anyone else reading this knows more, I do hope they'll post a reply!