BRACEROS MARCH TO U.S. EMBASSY IN MEXICO CITY, DEMAND MISSING RETIREMENT FUNDS

AP Breaking News ^ | 9 February 2004 | Morgan Lee

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

MEXICO CITY (AP) - About 200 Mexicans who worked in the United States during and after World War II protested in front of the U.S. Embassy and the president's residence to demand back pay they said is due them. An estimated 300,000 workers - known as "braceros" - were contracted by the U.S. government to relieve the labor shortage during World War II. They want to recover pay that was withheld and never returned to them after they went back to Mexico.

Last month, President Bush proposed a similar program for migrants who now have jobs in the United States, prompting braceros to demand that they also be paid. On Monday, the former braceros in straw hats gathered outside the U.S. Embassy, demanding the U.S. government help track down the salary withholdings, which some say disappeared after being deposited in Mexican banks. The braceros then marched to the Los Pinos residence of President Vicente Fox.

On Saturday, the braceros pushed their way past guards at Fox's family ranch in Guanajuato state, to demand the money. The braceros "feel tricked and used," said Francisco Arredondo, a leader in the National Braceros Association. "The U.S. businesses that made the deductions know where the money went," Arredondo said. "We're asking Bush and the embassy not to be accomplices." Fox ordered a criminal complaint filed against the protesters who forced their way past guards Saturday, Interior Secretary Santiago Creel said Monday. "No one can be permitted to invade someone else's property to complain or make a demand," Creel said at a news conference.

For several years, about 10 percent of the workers' paychecks were withheld for savings and pension funds that were supposed to be paid to them once they returned to Mexico. In 2002, a U.S. federal judge in San Francisco dismissed most of a class-action suit filed on behalf of the workers, largely on technical reasons.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

VERY interesting Fox's reaction to the peasants pushing past guards on HIS property. If Rush or the media don't pick up on that one, he (or they) are asleep on the job. Illegal immigrants are invading U.S. property and private property EVERY DAY and little is done about it. And, when something IS done, Mexico throws a fit. VERY interesting. Fox DOES understand the concept of "private" property.

[cripplecreek]

Does this mean i should demand pay from past jobs that didnt pay me the rates of today?

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Ah, a fan of George S. Patton. Well, I don't think so. This is an indicator of things to come. Eventually, we are going to face millions demanding payback of Social Security funds withheld while working illegally that are not attributed to the proper name (name/number mismatch). It is going to be a nightmare...especially when it comes to proof of identity at the time of withholding. Many have been working under multiple aliases.

[GeronL]

They should just do this at the White House, the US will let them just pass through

[cpdiii]

The monies were withheld as said. The monies were deposited in the Mexican Banks as required. Much of the money was stolen. They have a very legitimate complaint aginst the Mexican Banks and Government of Mexico, not the United States!

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

I believe it. However, money stolen by the government in Mexico is NOT recoverable, as far as I know. LOL. They know that.

[gloymar]

I DONT THINK IF THEY DO DONT HAVE LEGAL STATUS HAS ANYTHING TO DO BECAUSE IF THEY PAY SOCIAL SECURITY THEY SHOULD GET THAT BACK ESPECIALLY IF THEY DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS TAKEN OUT WHICH THE EMPLOYERS FAILED TO INFORM THEM