Latino%20Farm%20Workers:%20Understanding%20Permanence%20and%20Diversity%20in%20the%20New%20Era%20of%20Immigration

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Latino Farm Workers Understanding Permanence and
Diversity in the New Era of Immigration

• Michael S. McGlade, Ph.D.
• Western Oregon University

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How can a working class person migrate from a
rural community in Latin America to the U.S.?

• The cost can be prohibitive
• Local earnings enable little savings
• Therefore people and families need help

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Three ways that migration is initiated from rural
communities in Latin America to the United States

1. Recruitment from the United States
2. Spontaneous migration of people who already have
   
3. Civil conflict S. Mexico, Guatemala, and other
   Central American regions

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Bracero Era Labor Recruitment, 1942-1964

1. Emigration was initiated from hundreds of
   communities in rural, mostly agricultural regions
   of Mexico.
2. Most young males returned home seasonally and
   shared knowledge of migration trip, employers,
   where to live. Often provided financial
   assistance to new, aspiring migrants. Migration
   networks were formed that assisted large flows of
   workers.
3. Thus, the seeds for migration networks that now
   help millions flow north were sown decades ago by
   Bracero era recruitment.
4. Many eventually settled out of the migration
   system, took non-agricultural jobs, and were
   replaced by new entrants assisted by the Bracero
   migration networks.
5. Seasonal migration continued to be a large
   component of farmworker labor supply through 1986.

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The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
Begins the New Era of Permanence in 1986

• Seasonal agricultural workers gained documented
  status
• IRCA required workers to stay in US after
  application
• Not wanting to be alone, workers sent for
  families
• Many newly documented workers left farm work for
  other employment often less seasonal, urban, and
  more permanent
• Thus revolving door process kept up demand for
  new farmworkers

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The Effects of Increased Border Restrictions for
the Undocumented under IRCA

• Only a very limited number of people decided not
  to migrate
• Migrants eventually get across as coyotes
  guarantee repeated trips until passage successful
• Once making it inside the US, the difficulties
  and increased expense of border crossing convince
  many to stay in U.S. instead of returning home
  seasonally
• Thus, the paradox of increasing permanence and
  size of undocumented population, even though a
  goal of IRCA was to reduce the number of
  undocumented people in the U.S.
• More border restrictions in 1998 continued above
  processes and outcomes

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Employer Sanctions Change the Relationship of
Employers and Workers, and Diversity Increases

• To avoid risks of federal penalties, and to avoid
  paperwork, many agricultural employers increased
  utilization of labor contractors
• Due to revolving door effect and labor
  intensification of agriculture in some regions,
  new laborers were continually needed
• Coethnic labor contractors and their contacts in
  Mexico consequently increased recruitment into
  rural, indigenous areas that previously sent few
  or no emigrants. New networks formed. Seasonal
  ag. labor migration within Mexico sourced from
  indigenous areas also fed into international
  migration streams.
• Thus the rise of ethnically indigenous
  immigration from Oaxaca and other states.
• Many Mayan Guatemalans fled civil violence of
  1980s and 1990s

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Indigenous Origin Latinos in Oregon

• Come mostly from S. Mexico and Guatemala
• Guatemalans may not wish to be identified as not
  being Mexican
• Are often perceived by outsiders (especially
  non-Latinos), as Mexicans
• Many speak little or no Spanish, though may be
  reluctant to let this be known
• May not be able to communicate with other people
  from Indian communities, as native language
  diversity is high
• Many perceive themselves as sharing little
  cultural heritage with Latinos
• The terms Latino or Hispanic may have little
  meaning to them
• Most are marginally literate
• Tend to be seen as competitors for low wage jobs
  by other Latinos
• Guatemalans, in particular, may not be Catholic

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The Future of Latino Farmworkers

• Is the American dream alive?
• How is the second generation doing?

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