Mexican Immigration Evolution(1910-1920)

The annexation of Texas in 1845 started the flow of migration. In the 1890s there was a boom in new industries in the southwest part of the United States, two of the biggest ones were mining and agriculture. This was seen as a new opportunity for Mexican migrant laborers. As years continued to pass by, the Mexican Revolution happened, from 1910-1920, which increased the flow of people leaving to the United States searching for a better lifestyle and to escape the violence in the country. People left the rural areas in order to find jobs and build a stable life, this caused Mexican migration to the United States to rise sharply and at a fast rate. The number grew from around 20,000 migrants per year during the 1910s to about 50,000 – 100,000 migrants per year during the 1920s, that’s more than double the amount. 

During this time period, the United States had also seen an increase in the number of immigrants from Asia and Southern and Eastern Europe. An increase of immigrants in the U.S. caused alarm within the world of politics and press, many people were worried that immigrants were going to be threats to U.S. society. 

Since there was an increase of immigrants entering the U.S. many thought that there were differences within the ways each ethnic group lived. There was a belief that certain ethnic groups had certain qualities that makes them better than the rest. They can be related to intelligence, fitness, etc. As we have seen throughout the years this has been something that hasn’t changed much. 

People come to the U.S. looking for new opportunities and for stability. Being a daughter of two Mexican immigrants, I can honestly say that my parents sacrificed everything in order to create a better life for themselves. Both of my parents came to the U.S. 22 years ago in search of better opportunities, better jobs, a better lifestyle overall. They have been able to achieve that by working since the day they set foot in this country. As we saw with Trump’s election, many Americans believe that immigrants are a threat, that they steal jobs, etc. This is not true. There are always bad people but that does not define a whole group. Immigrants leave their homes due to violence and simply wanting better opportunities for themselves and their families. 

Works Cited:

Steinhauer, Jason. “The History of Mexican Immigration to the U.S. in the Early 20th Century.” The History of Mexican Immigration to the U.S. in the Early 20th Century | Insights: Scholarly Work at the John W. Kluge Center, March 11, 2015. https://blogs.loc.gov/kluge/2015/03/the-history-of-mexican-immigration-to-the-u-s-in-the-early-20th-century/. 

The John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress. “Mexican Immigration to the United States: A Brief History.” TIME, March 12, 2015. https://time.com/3742067/history-mexican-immigration/. 

By: Penelope Pintor