Mexican-American Immigrants

Ethnic Immigration: Mexican-Americans

Written by: Katlyn Buschgans

Currently, the largest group of ethnic people immigrating to the United States is composed of Mexicans. About nine percent of all people born in Mexico come to America. Most of the Mexican-Americans are known for settling in one of the four states of California, Texas, Illinois, and Arizona; although, most recently, these immigrants are becoming known to start spreading out more to new locations. Mexican ethnic communities are frequently in these areas.

Initially, starting in the 1850’s, Mexicans began immigrating to America to escape hardships such as “indentured servants fleeing Mexican farms, small independent producers who were forced north by natural disasters or Indian raids and workers affected by the War of Secession”. After the Mexican Revolution in 1910, Mexicans also came looking for work, which was scarce in their country. When World War I started, most America’s left for war over seas and this left opportunities for Mexicans to fill the jobs that the soldiers left behind. Similarly during World War II, America also needed workers to support the war efforts and Mexicans workers were in high demand. Most of these jobs were only temporary. Field hands were referred to as “Braceros”. The conditions of the work were poor along with how they were treated. After the soldiers came back from war, they got their old jobs back. The Mexican workers lost their jobs and had to find knew work, which was scarce. Emergency Farm Labor Service decreased the amount of people able to come to America from Mexico.

In 1924, America started to patrol the borders so illegal fugitives could not get in. This is when much discrimination started in the Mexican already in America. Native citizen questioned if they were legal or not.

Ever since the late 1800s American businesses found a need for labor workers in businesses such as farms. Agriculture, mining, and railroad workers were mostly filled by Mexican individuals. Common jobs this ethnic group takes part in today includes poultry processing, light manufacturing, and construction. Although most do not have a high school diploma, Mexicans are of the highest skilled in their field of work among immigrants. Women are known to work in services and sales.

Starting in the 1980’s the trend of Mexicans moving to America grew increasingly popular. While many did come into the country illegally, they went through the processes eventually to become citizens within the next few years. One-third of this population has come to America after the year 2000, and almost all working adults. About 73% of these immigrants do not speak English well or at all. Today, almost 54% of Mexicans living in the United States are here illegally.

Information from:

http://www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/timeline/17.html

http://www.migrationinformation.org/usfocus/display.cfm?ID=208

http://www.migrationinformation.org/USFocus/display.cfm?id=767#16

Human Resource Departments: Organizations and their Mission Statements

MALDEF — Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund

http://maldef.org/

Founded in 1968, MALDEF is the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization. Often described as the “law firm of the Latino community”, MALDEF promotes social change through advocacy, communications, community education, and litigation in the areas of education, employment, immigrant rights, and political access.

Farmworkers

http://www.farmworkers.org/contents.html

This website is another initiative of Sin Fronteras Organizing Project. This website is dedicated to publicize our work and to educate the public about the plight of the agricultural workers. More importantly, this website is to recognize the dignity of the contributions made by the men, women and children who work very hard to feed us.

NCLR

http://www.nclr.org/section/about/

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) – the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States – works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas – assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building assistance to its Affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families. Founded in 1968, NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCLR serves all Hispanic subgroups in all regions of the country and has regional offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, and San Antonio

NOMAR- The National Organization for Mexican American Rights

http://www.nomarinc.org/NOMAR/Welcome.html
A National, Non-profit, All Volunteer Organization Committed to Improving Educational and Employment Opportunities for and Defending the Civil Rights of Hispanic Americans

MAPA

http://mapa.org/

The Mexican American Political Association, founded in Fresno, California in 1960, has been, and is, dedicated to the constitutional and democratic principle of political freedom and representation for the Mexican and Hispanic people of the United States of America. Only by penetrating the system can we move our issues to the top of the agenda. That is why Latinos and Latinas across the country must claim a place in the political arena.