Questions for the Films
Los Braceros
1) When did Los Braceros initially come to the U.S.?
- 1942
2) How long did the official Braceros program last?
- Around 20 years
3) Approximately how many men participated in the Bracero work program?
- 2 million
4) What were employers of Braceros required to provide to their employees?
- Minimum wage and housing
5) How many serious crimes were committed by Braceros during the history of the program?
- 0
6) Where was the major port of entry for Mexicans and Braceros coming into the U.S.?
- El Paso, Texas
7) Where was one of the worst geographic areas to be assigned to work for Braceros?
- East Texas
8) Where did most of the money they earned go?
- Back home to their families
9) What problems existed for Braceros working in the North Western U.S.?
- No one learns how to speak english because everyone spoke it
10) Why is there a push to try to give money to Braceros after all these years?
- To return the percentage their income that was kept out of their checks that never
returned
11) What are the main reasons that the Braceros program ended?
- Accusations that it drove down wages for US citizen
- Poor treatment and quality of work for workers
Migrant Workers in America (1959 Documentary)
12) According to the 1959 documentary on the Braceros Program, why did U.S. farmers need
them?
- Not enough domestic labor to do the work
13) According to the 1959 documentary, what would happen if farmers raised wages too high?
- They would lose out on producers from other countries with cheaper labor and go out of
business
14) According to the 1959 documentary, what would be the result of decreased U.S. farming?
- The loss of millions of dollars and many jobs in related (allied) industries
Meet the Mexicans Working the Jobs Americans Don’t Want
15) What is the name of the temporary work visa issued to foreign workers who legally enter the
U.S.?
- H2B
16) According to a worker in our films, how long would it take a Mexican worker to make in
Mexico what they can make in the U.S. in 6 months?
- 3 years
Farmers Fear Labor Shortage
17) What options do farmers have for dealing with a labor shortage?
- All of the above?
Challenges to Landscaping Businesses
18) What is one of the most common misconceptions about using immigrant labor?
