Festival has special significance after Mexico agrees to reimburse workers

Record Staff Writer

STOCKTON - An annual celebration Sunday at the Mexican Community Center honored millions of Mexican guest workers - some now deceased - who filled a labor shortage in America from 1942 to 1964, after much of the nation's work force was called to serve in World War II.

Today marks 66 years since braceros arrived in Stockton, the first city to use them. But Day of the Bracero comes with a new connotation this year.

For the first time during a bracero celebration, the workers rejoiced over the end of a decades-long struggle in which they pleaded with the Mexican government to reimburse the wage deductions they were supposed to receive upon completing the program.

On Sept. 1, the Mexican government published its agreement to finally compensate all former braceros, although the payments constitute only about a third of what many ex-braceros are actually owed. Mexican officials have until Tuesday to publish the details, including where payment registration sites will be established. Former braceros will have only two months to register once the details are published.

"After all these years, this is great news, especially around this time," said Jesus Ochoa Barajas, a 73-year-old ex-bracero who has been active in pursuing bracero compensation. Ochoa Barajas, a French Camp resident, joined the guest worker program in 1958 and participated in it until 1964.

The Day of the Bracero festival featured homemade Mexican food, Aztec dancers and singing entertainment. And prior to the festival, an informational session was held to notify former braceros and their families of the upcoming reimbursement program.

Luis Magana, an immigration activist, is working with Mexican Consul General Alejandra Bologna on formulating ways to help thousands of former braceros living in the Central Valley to register for payment during the short two-month registration period.

And because Mexican officials haven't disclosed where registration sites will be established, Magana is preparing for two different scenarios. Registration sites might be set up in the U.S., in which case, Magana said, the Mexican Community Center may serve as a site.

However, if officials decide to set up sites only in Mexico, Magana said the community center is preparing to serve as a pick-up station for a shuttle service that will transport the ex-braceros there.

The Sunday celebration included a Catholic Mass led by the Rev. Francisco Naranjo from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Lathrop to honor former braceros who have passed away.

He delivered his sermon in the center's outside patio.

"A grand, powerful nation made a call for labor. Millions of men from another country, despite not being welcomed by many, answered that call," Naranjo said during his sermon.

"This homage to the braceros is something I couldn't miss," he said.