41: The Bracero Program - Mexican Nationals Enduring Discrimination in WWII Era Idaho and The Pacific Northwest

American History: Unabridged with Mark Iverson

From 1942 until 1948, Mexican citizens came to the United States at the behest of the federal government to fill the labor gaps created by the increased need for agricultural production during WWII. They bolstered the agricultural economy of the United States and proved an asset to the development of our nation, but they also face rampant racism and discrimination, especially in the Pacific Northwest. Idaho, of all the Pac NW States, proved the worst and the Mexican government restricted their citizens from working for growers there in October of 1948. However, most of the Braceros endured as did Mexican laborers using H2-A and H2-B Visas after 1964. Enduring hardship, after all, is a common theme in American history and Mexican laborers known as the Braceros did just that. In that regard, their descendants, those that became American citizens and endured similar bigotry are quintessentially American.