Essay On Mexican Immigration

The migration of Hispanics to America differ from other groups who have migrated over the years. Mexicans made contact through conquest but the majority of immigrants came to the United States voluntarily. Hispanic Americans consist of several different migrant groups Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Mexicans and Dominicans. All of which have each dealt with prejudice and discrimination.

Amongst the various Hispanic groups are Mexicans. Majority of Mexicans came to the United States voluntarily, but conquered upon first contact. Once Mexico gained independence from Spain, Mexico had control over what is known now to be Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, California, Colorado and Arizona. It wasn’t until Mexico allowed Americans to settle in Texas that they started to lose control over their land. Texas became an “independent republic” as the majority of the population were Americans. The Feud for the land continued until an attempt to

During this time Mexicans were used to sustain agriculture, mining and building railroads. They were taken advantage of by employers, paying them low wages, keeping them in debt and were easily laid off making it hard to make ends meet, ultimately pushing Mexicans back into Mexico. Deportation was also a threat, once the jobs were done and became scarce. The subordination of Mexicans had proceeded since contact and was brought to attention during the 1960s-1970s when Chicano Movement started. The movement led by Cesar Chavez and Reis Lopez Tijerina, both of which had a different impact on the movement. Cesar Chavez Created the UFW or United Farm Workers and used non-violent tactics to bring awareness to the inhumane labor conditions Mexican American’s fell victim to. Reis Lopez Tijerina had a different tactic and goals to preserve and revive Mexican culture, through violence ultimately resulting in arrest and