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Sebastian Corral vividly recalls the scrutiny he faced 73 years ago at the Rio Vista Bracero Reception Center in Socorro, Texas, as a young agricultural worker hopeful. His hands were a focal point; if they lacked calluses, he knew he wouldn't be hired. "If your hands were smooth, they wouldn’t hire you," Corral recounted in Spanish.
At just 18 years old, Corral was applying for the Mexican Farm Labor Program, the largest foreign worker initiative in U.S. history. Established in 1942 to address labor shortages during World War II, the program allowed Mexican citizens to work in the United States under short-term contracts, bringing millions across the border until its conclusion in 1964.
The application process was dehumanizing. Apart from the callus check, known as "braceros," applicants were subjected to naked inspections, DDT spraying, mouth examinations, chest X-rays, and blood tests for diseases and infections. Corral described the experience as "completely humiliating."
Last year, Rio Vista, where braceros were processed, was recognized as a national historic landmark. Plaques honoring the center were recently dedicated by the city of Socorro and the National Park Service, the first to be posted in English and Spanish.
Historians and activists believe this recognition will shine a light on a significant yet often overlooked chapter in Latino history. Sehila Mota Casper, executive director of Latinos in Heritage Conservation, noted the program's significance, saying, "Rio Vista is a sacred site. It was our point of entry. It’s the place that we can go to honor the beginning of our story here in America."
The National Park Service's designation of Rio Vista as a historic landmark in 2023 was praised by Chuck Sams, the service's director, who emphasized the importance of representing the diverse American experience.
The braceros were sent across the U.S., primarily working along the border. Despite agreements about their treatment, including free housing and medical care, these rules were often ignored, leaving workers vulnerable to exploitation and poor living conditions, according to Mireya Loza, an associate professor of history at Georgetown University.
The screening process, including the DDT spraying, was seen as invasive and unnecessary, Loza explained. Workers were viewed as potential carriers of diseases that the government wanted to prevent from spreading to American communities.
Socorro officials hope to renovate Rio Vista with a $30 million project, envisioning a museum, community center, and library to honor the bracero program's contribution to U.S. agriculture.
Yolanda Chávez Leyva, an associate professor of history at the University of Texas at El Paso, noted that while many Mexican Americans can trace their roots to the bracero program, some are unaware of their connection. The university has collected oral histories from over 600 program participants, revealing both pride and secrecy among workers.
For Corral, the program meant picking cotton for $4 a day in Las Cruces, N.M., sending money back to his family in Mexico. He endured overcrowded living conditions and harsh treatment, yet he doesn't regret his sacrifice, as it uplifted his family.
Blanca McCreary, one of Corral's grandchildren, feels a mix of anger at the inhumane treatment her grandfather endured and gratitude for his sacrifice, which allowed their family to thrive in the United States.
After the program ended, Corral lived as an undocumented worker, eventually becoming a permanent resident in the 1980s and a U.S. citizen in 2022.
“I don’t regret doing what I did because my family was uplifted,” Corral said. “They’ve become accomplished living in the United States, thanks be to God.”