Neither did Time mention the Bracero Program, instituted in 1942 to let Mexicans enter the country to do farm work, when American boys were going into the Army to fight WW II. That program lasted until 1964, providing most of the agricultural workers in California's farm belt.
Nor do they have a clue about the details of the Bracero Program. Mexico then controlled its own side of the border. Mexico and the US jointly agreed on how many workers would come in. There were provisions to guarantee that they would return to Mexico afterward. And none of the time they spent here counted toward gaining US citizenship, because at all times they were counted as Mexican citizens.
No there's a "guest worker" system that worked. And it was the Democrats in Congress who insisted that it be abolished. IIRC, the total workers allowed was less than a million at the height of that program.
Congressman Billybob
Thank you, Congressman! I had TOTALLY forgotten about that program. I grew up on a farm and there were a few of those guys who worked on our neighbor's places. You are right, though, it worked well and they all went home at the end of harvest!