Howhave migrant workers from Great Depression affected the U.S today?
As WWII started, many of the migrant workers during the years of
the Great Depression either joined the military or took advantage
of the jobs that were opening up because of the need for war
material. Many of the "Okies" that came to California found jobs in
the shipyards and defense plants on the west coast. The migrant
farmers, grouped into the term "Okie," found a more stable
lifestyle and families put down roots in California and other
western states, like New Mexico and Arizona. Their descendants
continue to live there today.
The type of farming that caused the migrant "farmer" to find
work continues today but most commercial farms now hire migrant
workers and many provide temporary shelter at the work sites during
the season. Many of these jobs have been taken over by immigrants
from nations south of the border, both legal and illegal, which has
helped add to the current national debate over what the government
should do about our current immigration laws.