Cruz

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

These cases were brought by individuals from Mexico, known as braceros, who worked in the United States during World War II and some period of time thereafter. While working in the United States, the braceros had a portion of their wages withheld. The withheld wages were deposited in a United States bank and then transferred to a Mexican bank. The withhold-ings were to be refunded when the braceros returned to Mexico. Plaintiffs allege that this money was never returned. They seek redress from the United States, Mexico, and Wells Fargo Bank. All defendants have moved this Court to dismiss the filed actions.

BACKGROUND

With the outbreak of World War II, many American workers left their domestic jobs and joined the war effort. To address the resultant labor shortage, the United States looked to Mexico. On August 4, 1942 the United States and Mexico entered into the first in a series of agreements under which Mexican workers would come to work in United States. This first agreement covered agricultural workers.

The 1942 agreement between Mexico and the United States provided that the United States would enter a separate contract with each individual bracero.…