Mexican Immigration Mexican-American War (1848): 500,000 square miles of new territory (48% of Mexico’s territory) First Wave: Reunited family members Second Wave: The Mexican Revolution refugees Third Wave: 1950’s - Today

The First Migrant Workers Expansion of cattle ranching and fruit production in California (Post-Mexican Mission Secularization) The migrant worker: Foundation for the development of California’s agricultural industry The Bracero Program: 4 million Mexicans employed

The Bracero Program Demand for manual labor during World War II Targeted poor, impoverished Mexican communities Illusion: Making lots of money to send home Unfair contracts and vague working conditions

Bracero Program (Continued) Braceros became foundation for development of North American agriculture 1964: The end of the Bracero program U.S. Department of Labor declares Bracero Program as a system of “legalized slavery.”

Why are things the way they are? Societal Challenges Going back… Mestizaje Mission Secularization & Californio Landowners (1833) The Gold Rush (1849) Disenfranchisement of Mexican-Americans Loss of political power to Anglo majority The Foreign Miners’ Tax (1850) Anti Vagrancy Act of 1855 (Greaser Law) 1855 Act to negate Spanish translations of laws Poverty in the Mexican-American Community Loss of land after Mexican-American War Legal confirmation of land titles

Why are things the way they are? Societal Challenges (Cont’d) Unskilled and semi-skilled labor Anglo hostility and educational disenfranchisement Loss of land leading to displacement of Mexicans Entry of women in domestic labor market Occupationally disadvantaged men vs. increasingly employed women Rise of female-headed households Residential and social segregation Anti-Mexican segregation The barrios & colonias (ethnic enclaves) Developed through force and choice Traditional extended family and community social life

Changing Demographics

Changing Demographics (Cont’d)