One group that is key to the debate is the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, many of whom traveled to Mexico Monday for their own meeting with President Fox. While some members of the caucus support normalizing undocumented Mexican immigrants, others are reluctant to bring back the braceros. The reference is to the estimated 5 million Mexican workers imported into the U.S. beginning in 1942. Many of them were exploited and mistreated, on both sides of the border. Money for a makeshift pension program for the braceros that was set up with the Mexican government disappeared.
Lawsuits seeking a return of the money are still in U.S. courts.
Those abuses from a half-century ago are appalling, but yesterday's failings should not get in the way of a sound program that could solve today's labor problems and strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico for many tomorrows to come.