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Decades ago, the United States eagerly welcomed more than 1 million Mexican nationals across the border.

Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar, left, applauds the unveiling of a scale model of a 19-foot monument depicting a "bracero" guest worker on March 8, 2018. (Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar, left, applauds the unveiling of a scale model of a 19-foot monument depicting a “bracero” guest worker on March 8, 2018. (Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Through an agreement between the U.S. and Mexican governments, the temporary workers, known as “braceros,” came under a program to help fill labor shortages during and after World War II.

Almost 80 years after the Mexican guest worker program was implemented, and in the middle of a tense standoff between California and the Trump administration over illegal immigration, Los Angeles is honoring these workers with a 19-foot monument that will be the centerpiece of a new plaza near Olvera Street.

Still days away from his first visit to California as president, Trump felt very much present.

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