I found a web site: which describes how to get assistance in obtaining compensation. If you carry out a google search on "bracero" you will find a lot of reading material.

David Delgado in Albany, CA

-----Original Message-----
>From: Marionicia
>Sent: Dec 17, 2008 7:00 AM
>To: general@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
>Subject: [Nuestros Ranchos] I need help with "braceros"
>
>
>Hello all!
>
>My father was a "bracero" (laborer contracted in a group). I think "bracero" term refers to "brazo" equal to "arm" for labor or work in the U. S. during, but not exclusivly, World War II and Korea War.
>He belongs nowadays in a organizated group dedicated to claim some money that mexican goverment received as a retention of 10% from braceros earnings to set a fund for they to have back in their country.
>His was contracted in Mexico City in 1943, he left his town Jesús María, Jalisco, accompained by his now deceased cousin.
>Yesterday he went with the group to Mexicali, State capital of Baja California (we live in Tijuana) to give all the required documents in the office stablished for that matter.
>He came back very desappointed and sad because he doesn´t have his contract document, it is gone, destroyed in the course of life. He has no "bracero card" because at that time it was not given. The only thing he has is a beige colored envelope he was given to preserve his documents, including his contract, during traveling, but this solely envelope is not taken as proof by such office.
>
>My request from you, is any info or guidance on how to obtain a copy of my father´s bracero contract, hoping there is an original or copy in official or contractor´s company archives.
>
>He was contracted to work in the Southern (or South) Pacific Railroad in California. He was based in Auburn, Ca.
>His job was right in the rail construction and some nigths as a vigilant as extra time.
>
>Any ideas on how I must search via internet first, if possible, or where to go with my 86 year old papá to request such document? Maybe some relarives of any of you had a job like that and made that quest.
>
>As extra info, mexican office retaining (as keepers) that 10% are giving up only $38,000 pesos in return, but it easily should be about $100,000 pesos, some tv journalists had say; shame on my not honest goverment holders.
>
>Well, my father and maybe all braceros were not aware of that count until someone, right now I dont´t have his name nor activity. start the movement to get that money back to whome it belongs.
>
>And also, take this as a piece of history of my genealogy.
>
>I am very proud of my honest and honored dad. It is not shame to need money, which is not the case thanks God and my dad, who never was lazy, on contrary, he still is a active hardwork man. During this rainy season, nobody can stop him from going to the roof to check an rapair, he reluctanly use the services of a handyman or any mason, he likes to have the credit for any rapair he can do, when he can.
>He only stops and sit to just watch his handyman working when his body suffers pain from extra physical efforts, then he sits there directing his helper like if that man is his owns hands.
>
>Now you can make questions for helping me if any lack in my explaining.
>
>It is not good a rain drop falling on my dad´s head, I have to open the umbrella.
>
>Thank you all for this and all the help I always receive willingly to be a help for you also.