Nicole’s Reviews > Mexican Labor and World War II: Braceros in the Pacific Northwest, 1942-1947 > Status Update

“In short, the current population of Chicanos in the Pacific Northwest, as well as in many other parts of the nation, had its genesis in the US-conceived and sponsored bracero program in the Pacific Northwest.”

“In many respects the ongoing powerlessness of agricultural wage earners stems from public ignorance of the political and economic reality of the industry.”

“Local labor continues to protest the need to import the Mexican nationals even as they refused agricultural employment...Threats by the Mexican government to withhold braceros from the Pacific Northwest, especially Idaho, over the issue of racial discrimination were real concerns.”

“Amazingly, most Northwesterners failed to understand the strained social circumstances endured by the braceros. Worse yet, neither the farmers nor the communities, both desperately in need of the services of these men, understood that the Ill treatment lowered worker productivity and actually came close to endangering essential war food production.”

“Even as braceros and other farm workers received inadequate medical attention, they were called to support local medical facilities. In 1946, the Caldwell, Idaho, camp contributed $398 to the Caldwell Memorial Hospital Fund”

“Braceros experienced much animosity because Northwest, as other states in the West, had a long history of racial antipathy against certain groups such as native Americans, Asians, and blacks. When braceros arrived in the area, this antipathy was easily transferred to Mexicans.”

“Consequently, Idaho, like Texas, was blacklisted by the Mexican government for its mistreatment of braceros. The action of the Mexican government was prompted by the blatant racism of some Nampa and Caldwell merchants and businesses who posted “No Japs or Mexicans Allowed” signs.”

“In the Northwest, Idaho developed the most notorious reputation for discrimination. Prejudice became so common and deep-seated that in 1946, the Mexican government threatened to forbid ifs workers to go into the state two years later made good on its threat.”

“At Caldwell, Idaho, the bracero camp joined with the Boise League of Women Voters and presented ‘Mexican Serenade’...at the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Boise...a local radio station broadcast the program, allowing an estimated 2000 nations in camps in the Boise and eastern Oregon areas to listen. This program may well have been the first Spanish-language broadcast in the Pacific Northwest.”

“Perhaps worse than being held under the thumb of their employers, the braceros were victims of terrible injustices stemming from inadequate camp facilities, inept officials and racism. Their contracts prohibited discrimination, but it occurred because the employers disavowed the entire agreement as meaningless.”