Office of the Historian

811.504 Mexico/11–1347: Telegram

The Ambassador in Mexico (Thurston) to the Secretary of State

restricted
us urgent
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Mexico City, November 13, 1947—7 p.m.

1264. ReDepgam A–803, October 27. Formal note dated November 13 received today Mexican Minister Foreign Relations58 agreeing to [Page 831] conduct intergovernment conversations and expressing hope American authorities willing agree to accept following points as basis for conversations:

a.
Contracting Mexican laborers not to be authorized in states of United States where discriminatory acts against Mexicans have been committed.
b.
US Government to adopt necessary administrative or legal measures to prevent movement Mexican workers from one state to another without consent of worker and previous authorization of Mexican Government.
c.
Basis for contracting to be agreement of April 26, 1943, with necessary amendments offsetting increases cost of living since that date.

Mexican delegates will have instructions to examine practical result of recommendation following discussions last January, February whereby US authorities would study possibility adopting legal measures adequately punishing American employers who either contract or utilize Mexican workers who are illegal immigrants.

Foreign Office requests approval US Government of foregoing points as initial basis discussions whereupon names Mexican representatives will be communicated this Embassy. Oficial Mayor Guerra proposes depart for El Paso November 17 arriving there 18th for initial discussions with Consul Aguirre, Ciudad Juarez, Mexican Consul General El Paso, prior arrival remainder Mexican delegation November 20. He expressed hope that Mr. William MacLean would be present El Paso November 18.

Embassy informed informally Mexican desire incorporate April, 1943 agreement and March, 1947 wetback agreement into one new agreement suggesting its possible enforcement by utilizing existing farm organizations in US.

Department requested inform Embassy urgently whether points by Mexican Government given above acceptable for discussion.

Thurston
  1. Jaime Torres Bodet; his note was in reply to Ambassador Thurston’s note of November 10, 1947, neither printed.↩