Stories from an ex-Bracero

Last night we had the privilege at Goshen College of welcoming Don Felipe Munos a former 'Bracero,' or guest worker, to our campus for a lecture. He shared is interesting and moving story of how he and many other Mexicans worked in the United States in the years following WWII. These workers did performed difficult jobs, were paid low wages, and helped our country recover in the final years of WWII and the years following the war. However, there is a very sad side of Don Felipe's story. More information about Don Felipe can be found at the following website: http://www.mexicosolidarity.org/node/188

During the guest worker program, the US government withheld 10% of the pay of these workers. The government claimed that this money would be set aside as a type of retirement fund, and this was intended to lure other workers to participate in the guest worker program. However, when the guest worker program ended in 1966, no workers were compensated for the 10% wages that had been withheld over the years. For years the issue was forgotten, until recently. Don Felipe and others in Mexico have recently formed groups of ex-braceros who want to reclaim this money that was withheld. They are having much difficulty in their efforts, from the Mexican government, the US government, and Wells Fargo Bank, which supposedly held the money that had been withheld. A little bit more about this struggle can be found here: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bracero16-2008oct16,0,6413287.story

Now, the story of Don Felipe is a sad one, and it may be nearly impossible to compensate all of the former guest workers who had money withheld. Despite this fact, I was compelled last night to email the office of Senator Evan Bayh, one of the senators here in Indiana, and explain this story to him. In a perfect world, Bayh might be so moved that he makes an effort in the Senate to help those like Don Felipe get their money back. However this is not a perfect world, and that is not a likely response by Sen. Bayh. I did urge the Senator to think carefully about this story and look for lessons that can be learned with regards to the current issue of immigration. I told the Bayh that this country should treat our neighbors to the south, and all foreign neighbors for that matter, as friends, brothers and sisters, not as workers. They are not expendable workers, whose rights can be violated as they have been in the past. As the new presidential administration formulates its immigration policy, I hope that it works to treat immigrants and guest workers fairly.

Writing this letter to Sen. Bayh may not accomplish anything, and I am aware of that fact. Despite that, I think that contacting a representative from your state in this way about issues that matter to you is the most democratic action that a citizen of our country can make. In order for me to help other make their voice heard, or to get my own voice heard, it is important for me to call, email, and write letters to Congressional or Senate offices. Trough these practices, we can develop an effective and flourishing democratic society.

(Guiding Principle #8 Practice Democratic Principles)