The area's wartime economy was sustained by Mexican laborers, who picked everything from oranges to grapes, historians say. Four former braceros have filed a class-action lawsuit against the United States and Mexican governments and several banks, alleging that much of the money was never repaid in Mexico. Two of the plaintiffs live in Northern California, one in Mexico and another in Illinois. Though not named on the suit, other ex-braceros are watching the case closely. It's money I earned.
Confusion lingers over just how much money went unpaid, if any.
Bank and Mexican officials have promised to investigate but say it will be tough to track down decades-old documents. The U.S. Congressional Hispanic Caucus is asking President Bush to support the investigation. Bracero advocates also petitioned Mexican President Vicente Fox during his California visit last month, urging him to provide government pensions and health insurance for ex-braceros. Of an estimated 5 million braceros, only 1 million are still alive, said Luz Maria Ayala, an organizer with the Alliance BraceroProa, who is not related to Miguel Ayala. Most ex-braceros are living in Mexico, but many immigrated to the United States.