The story
For more than twenty years, from 1942 to 1964, millions of Mexican workers entered the United States through the Bracero Program, a government-approved initiative that offered promise but resulted in hardship, exploitation, and systematic betrayal. Marketed as a necessary measure during wartime to address labor shortages, the program rapidly transformed into a means for corporate gain and political strategy, influencing the current framework of immigration and labor rights. These individuals—the foundation of America’s agricultural and railroad sectors—faced harsh conditions, laboring under the blazing sun for meager wages that barely supported them, while residing in filthy, overcrowded work camps. They contributed to America’s food production, constructed its railroad tracks, and powered its industries, yet they remained unseen—exploited, undercompensated, and subjected to government-endorsed racial discrimination.
As researchers such as Kitty Calavita (Inside the State) and Deborah Cohen (Braceros: Migrant Citizens and Transnational Subjects) have uncovered, the program was not merely about labor—it functioned as a means of control, meticulously designed to favor American agribusiness and stifle organized labor, all while ostensibly regulating the influx of Mexican workers under the guise of a temporary system. However, the truth was much bleaker. Employers, supported by government policies, treated Braceros as a disposable labor force, stripping them of fundamental rights and forcing them into competition with domestic workers to lower wages. Many Braceros did not receive the pay they were promised, and when the program concluded, they were discarded—returned to Mexico without any compensation, their contributions forgotten in the nation’s history.
Currently, time is running out. The last remaining Braceros are fading away, and with them, the reality of one of America’s most significant labor scandals risks being erased entirely. Bracero: America’s Greatest Con is not merely a documentary—it represents a race against time to discover and preserve the narratives of those who experienced it. Utilizing historical research and the personal testimonies of those who endured the program, filmmaker Julian Bonfiglio, along with his mother, Lauretta Bonfiglio and film partner Thomas Abeyta. embark on an intensely personal quest to uncover the concealed legacy of these overlooked workers. Drawing inspiration from works like Barbara A. Driscoll’s The Tracks North, which details the lesser-known contributions of railroad Braceros, and Ronald Mize and Alicia Swords’ Consuming Mexican Labor, which explores the ongoing exploitation of Mexican workers from the Bracero Program to NAFTA, this film reveals how the program’s legacy of economic and political manipulation continues to influence the immigration crisis we face today.
Through rare archival footage, personal interviews, and compelling investigative storytelling, we aim to illuminate a past that still resonates in our current reality. The escalation of cartel violence, the criminalization of Mexican labor, and the systemic inequalities entrenched in modern immigration policies all originate from decisions made during the Bracero period. However, we cannot undertake this effort alone. We need your assistance to locate these lost voices before they vanish entirely—to document their truths, honor their fortitude, and ensure their sacrifices are never overlooked. History endures only if we strive to safeguard it…
Who we are
Julian Bonfiglio
Director | Producer | Writer | Filmmaker
Julian Bonfiglio is an actor recognized for his performances in the Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominated series Better Call Saul (2015-), Dark Winds (2021-), Too Old to Die Young (2019), Daybreak (2019), and The Girlfriend Experience (2017-). His career encompasses both television and film, featuring roles in Silk Road, Making a Killing, and Furthest Witness. Originally from Boquete, Panamá, Julian was immersed in the vibrant cultural and historical landscape of Latin America during his formative years, an experience that fostered his profound appreciation for untold narratives and underrepresented voices.
Prior to entering the film industry, Julian pursued studies in theater and art, participating in Pulitzer Prize-winning productions and directing smaller shows, which eventually led him to New Mexico, where he has established a career in film and television. Proficient in both Spanish and English, Julian connects cultures through his work, utilizing his background to amplify stories that deserve attention.
His newest endeavor, Bracero: America’s Greatest Con, is his most intimate project—a thorough investigative documentary revealing the long-hidden truths of the Bracero Program and its enduring influence on immigration and labor rights. Drawing inspiration from his own heritage and ties to Latin American history, Julian is dedicated to locating the last surviving Braceros before their narratives are lost. Through engaging interviews, rare archival footage, and immersive storytelling, he is committed to illuminating one of America’s most neglected labor movements. With this film, Julian aims to honor the perseverance of these workers and ensure their stories are preserved for future generations.
Thomas Abeyta
Producer | Filmmaker
Thomas Abeyta is an Albuquerque-born filmmaker passionate about blending storytelling with social activism. With a background in movies and television, he has spent over a year publishing documentaries and interviews on local television, using film to spark meaningful conversations.
His work focuses on issues close to home, such as Native American segregation, the preservation of Mexican heritage, and the realities faced by the unhoused population. Through his lens, he seeks to illuminate voices that are often unheard, sparking meaningful conversations that challenge perceptions and inspire action.
“Projects like Bracero: America’s Greatest Con contribute to a meaningful dialogue about Mexican culture in New Mexico and the importance of preserving it,” Thomas says. His work is a testament to the power of film in shaping cultural identity, historical awareness, and social advocacy.
You can find his films and interviews on Albuquerque’s Comcast Channel 26 and on his personal YouTube channel, where he continues to document the stories that define our local and cultural landscape.
Do you know A BRACERO?
If YOU, or someone YOU KNOW, participated in the Bracero Program, we would love to hear from you. We are urgently seeking the last remaining Braceros to capture their narratives before they vanish forever. These individuals formed the foundation of America’s labor force, yet their contributions have been shrouded into obscurity.
The Bracero Program operated from 1942 to 1964, so if your father, grandfather, uncle, or a family acquaintance was involved, we are VERY EAGER TO CONNECT WITH YOU.
This is a vital moment in history, and we need your assistance to preserve it.
📩 Reach out to us today, and we will get in touch with you personally!
Time is running out—help us locate the final Braceros before it’s too late.