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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 12, 2002 Baca joins fight for Bracero justice
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Joe Baca (D-CA) today joined 23 Members of Congress, including several members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in introducing a bill that would help Mexican laborers hired during World War II recover money that they had earned while working in America but were never paid. The "Braceros" were brought to America under a bilateral agreement between the United States and Mexico negotiated in 1942 to help fill the labor void left by American workers who joined the armed services during the War. The agreement required the Braceros to have 10 percent of their wages deducted and placed in a U.S. savings fund, but that money never made it's way back to the laborers as was promised. "I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of the Bracero Justice Act, a bill that would help heal the wounds left by over 50 years of injustice and neglect," Baca said. "These workers and their families, many of whom are U.S. citizens, deserve answers to their questions." Last Spring, a group of Mexican Laborers filed a class action lawsuit in federal court against the United States, Mexico, and American and Mexican banks. The suit alleges that the percentage of the Braceros' pay that they were required to place in the savings fund was never paid when the laborers returned to Mexico. The suit seeks an accounting of the funds owed to the laborers - estimated at $60 to 70 million - and repayment with interest of those funds, as well as legal fees and damages. This money was taken from hard-working laborers over 50 years ago. Yet even now there is no clear accounting of that money." Baca said. "Is this fair? Is this the way that we treat those who help our country in time of war? Is this patriotic?" The Bracero Justice Act of 2002 waives technical defenses that the defendants could use to end the suit before the merits of the case are examined, including the statute of limitations, sovereign immunity, and foreign sovereign immunity defenses, so that the laborers and their families can seek the compensation they are owed in Federal Court. "Let me make this clear - the bill does not determine the outcome of the lawsuit," Baca said. "It merely waives technical defenses so that the case can be dealt with on the merits." "The bill gives these hard working laborers what they deserve - their day in court!" # # # |
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