La Historia Se Repite: Parallels between the Bracero Program and the H-2A Visa Process Highlight the Need for a Decolonial Migrant Labor Policy

Abstract

Since the 19th Century, the United States and Mexico have engaged in disputes over their border. In the aftermath of the Mexican-American War, formerly Mexican territories now belonged to the United States, resulting in numerous long-term consequences including economic migration. In this paper, I explore key lessons from the first U.S.-Mexico immigration bilateral agreement — the Bracero Program — and the H-2A visa program. Both programs faced backlash from domestic laborers, perpetuated poor work conditions and low wages, and shed light on the circumstances that lead to labor agreements. My research further shows that these same patterns exist with the Trump Administration’s proposals for and changes to the H-2A program. Importantly, my research findings show the need for radical change to United States labor migration policy. While H2-A program enforcement mechanisms should be stronger, I propose an alternative idea: a decolonial labor migration policy. Employing a decolonial lens requires the United States to acknowledge its taking of Mexican land and to allow for easier flow of labor migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border. It is through a decolonial labor migration policy that we destroy a system built on laborer categorization and, instead, begin the work towards true labor reform for all laborers, regardless of immigration status.