Beliefs, Attitudes, and Ideologies
America the Undecided
Sources Cited
(1) Migration Information Source .http://www.migrationinformation.org
(2) Center for Immigration Studies. http://www.cis.org/topics/illegal immigration.html
(3) Seattle in America. http://www.seattleinamerica.com
(4) Immigration…Mexican: Introduction. http://www.memory.loc.gov/learn/features/immig/mexican.html
(5) Durand, Jorge. “From Traitors to Heroes: 100 Years of Mexican Migration Policies.” http://www.migrationinfo.org
(6) Papadenetriou, Demetrios G. ”The Mexico Factor in US Immigration Reform.” http://www.migrationinfo.com
Throughout the history of the United States, Mexicans have immigrated to the U.S. for various reasons. In the past several decades, however, the U S has created stricter laws in attempt to decrease the number of illegal immigrants entering the U S from Mexico. This entire process has had profound effects on both Mexico and the United States, which in turn has created a great deal of tension and heated opinions about the issue.
From 1846 to 1858 America purchased land, what is known as Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, from Mexico for 20 million dollars. With this purchase one third of the Mexican population became United States citizens. “Many Mexicans began to immigrate to the U.S. in the early 1900’s. At this time, many had been driven off their land by the government. The population was growing too quickly. The economy was poor.”(4) By 1920 ten percent of the United States population was made up of illegal immigrants, most of which were working as farmers. Before the 1930’s records were not kept well so there is little documentation of illegal migration in the United States. By 1930 a gross estimate of over one million Mexicans came to work and live in the U S. During the Great Depression many immigrants became the first primary target of ejection by most employers so many were deported by the late 1940’s. “Operation Wetback” took...