I wish there was a way to do an updated Bracero Program for the 2000s. A way to bring workers in to do the seasonal or migrant jobs that frankly most people in the US can't or won't do. This provides a way to track who is here, make sure their work environment is safe, and though we'd pay more for products but not as much as if we paid citizens the 10+ dollars an hour they want.

Granted the original Bracero act was full of issue with treatment and racism, and it was war time, but if people are doing the jobs anyway, why not provide a way to do it that covers more of the bases for workers, consumers, and employers, as well as government.

The U.S. issues out H-2 Visas which cover agricultural workers, but that's nowhere near the scope of the bracero program.

Yeah, I'm thinking more of having a structured program with particular farms and some federal and maybe state government involvement to protect the workers and the companies. Like wages being held/monitored by the government to make sure workers aren't ripped off, and that there is adequate food and housing, as well as not using nasty pesticides and herbicides as well as water and safe transportation. If people are in groups and accounted for they can't take off as easy, and if someone does something naughty immediate deportation.

This would also protect businesses as they can't be accused of being crappy as easily, and consumers would buy things they know don't have a bad association with the process, and cut down on rumors and paranoia. It will cost more money but if I knew a company didn't treat workers as sub human I'd be more likely to buy their product. This also could help smaller farmers as well be viable. We do things like this for fire fighters, and that's a hell of a lot more complicated coordinating food, buses, lodging, and so on.

Of course I don't advocate this for Detroit, as their farms will be worked by local Detroiters ;)