Why Braceros (1959)

Discusses the importance of the Bracero program in American agriculture, particularly for crops requiring manual labor, known as “stooped labor.” Despite advancements in mechanization, certain crops still need hand harvesting, and there is often a shortage of domestic workers willing to take on these tough jobs. Farmers recruit labor well in advance, primarily using domestic sources, but when these prove insufficient, they turn to Braceros, Mexican workers who are legally contracted to fill the labor gap. The program is regulated to ensure fair treatment and pay, and it benefits both American farmers and the Mexican economy. Without Braceros, many crops would be lost, negatively impacting various sectors of the economy.

We digitized and uploaded this film from the Prelinger Archives. Email us at footage@avgeeks.com if you have questions about the footage and are interested in using it in your project.