Braceros living in U.S. eligible for refunds

BY CESAR NEYOY, BAJO EL SOL

After two previous programs have only benefited former Braceros living in Mexico, an agreement has been reached between the Mexican government and representatives of former Braceros who can prove that they worked during the Bracero Program between 1942 and 1946, and live in the U.S., will be eligible to receive part of their savings that were withheld during that time.

The Bracero Program, (from the Spanish word "brazo," meaning "arm"), was a guest worker program that ran between the years of 1942 and 1946 between the United States and Mexico. During this time U.S. employers withheld 10 percent of their wages, which then were sent to Mexico and were to be paid when the workers returned to Mexico. According to the complaint, the forced savings monies were never paid.

The office of the Mexican Consulate in Yuma this week initiated the process to receive applications from former Braceros who wish to benefit for the Fondo de Apoyo Social (Social Support Funds) for Mexican Migrant Workers.

The Mexican government said nearly 400,000 Braceros were recruited in Mexico to work the fields and railroads in the United States during World War II.

On Tuesday the consulate's Web page gave notice to the agreement reached by the federal District Court in San Francisco on Oct. 8.

According to the information on the Web site, former eligible Braceros were able to begin applying for the funds on Oct. 23 and will be able to until Dec. 23. Applications must be filled in person at the Consulates Office in Yuma at 298 S. Main St.

To qualify for the benefits, the person must be the one who worked under the Bracero Program between Jan. 1, 1942, and Dec. 31, 1946. It also states that the spouse of the Bracero may also apply as well as one of their children.

This refund in the amount of about $2,850 (38,000 pesos), will be the only one they will receive if they qualify.