Bracero Selection Process facts for kids

The Bracero program was a special agreement between the United States and Mexico. It started in 1942 and ended in 1964. During this time, millions of Mexican workers, called braceros, came to the U.S. to work. They mostly worked in farming. To become a bracero, workers had to go through a careful selection process. This process had many steps in both Mexico and the U.S.

How Bracero Workers Were Chosen

Local Selection in Mexico

The first step for someone wanting to be a bracero happened in their hometown in Mexico. Workers needed to collect important papers, like their birth certificate. They also had to get letters of recommendation. These letters showed that they were reliable and good people. Often, men asked important local people, like politicians or business owners, for these letters.

Even though the Mexican government said these papers were free, many workers had to pay local officials to get them. After weeks of collecting documents, potential workers would meet in a special place. The mayor and other leaders would check everyone's papers. If a person passed this local check, their name was put on an official list. These workers and their list would then travel to bigger cities for the next step.

Regional Stations in Mexico

The second step took place in large Mexican cities. These places were called regional migratory stations. They were often set up in big buildings like stadiums. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of men would wait outside for their name to be called. They might wait for a very long time. People selling food and drinks would be outside, and many workers would spend all their money while waiting.

When a man's name was called, he would go inside the station. Sometimes, armed soldiers stood on both sides as workers entered. Next, the applicant would have an interview with officials. They checked if the person had farming skills. Officials might even look at a worker's hands to see if they had calluses, which showed they worked hard in fields. Mexican women often typed up the workers' information.

Workers then had a medical check-up. Doctors made sure they were healthy and strong enough for the work. Some workers got a smallpox shot here, while others got it later in the U.S. If a person passed the medical exam, they had their fingerprints taken. Then, they went to get their picture taken. These photos were for their records and for a very important ID card called a mica. The mica proved that the Mexican government approved them for the program.

Braceros in Culture

In 2014, an opera called El Bracero was performed in California. It was a mariachi opera, which means it used traditional Mexican music. The opera told the story of a bracero worker named Noe Prado and his family. It even showed a scene about the bracero selection process. The creator of the opera, Rosalinda Verde, used stories from her own grandfather, who was a bracero worker.