The Mexican Migration

The Mexican migration to America both mirrored that of the European migration to America as well as differed from it. Both brought immense numbers of people into the United States in the very early days of America. Both groups relied heavily on support systems like their own family, both who came along with them and who did not, because it was such a tremendous move. Both groups of course too, were outsiders in a new world. However, unlike the Europeans, Mexican immigration into America never ended, it is an ongoing pursuit to this day. Our book even states on page 113; “With the one exception of the 1930s, every decade witnessed a substantial increase in the number of Mexican immigrants entering the United States, and there is little reason

It was true that Mexican immigrants found it largely easy to acquire a job and depending on where one lived, different skills were required. In the southwestern United States, most jobs could be done without any kind of experience or skills, which was attractive for some immigrants that had little educational means and were in desperate need for a position. In places like the East, these jobs were harder to come by and the requirements were a bit stricter. Still, upward mobility within an occupation only occured in skilled labor jobs, there was no opportunity for it in unskilled labor positions. Immigrants also found out quickly that the working conditions at many of the jobs they took were atrocious. Our book describes this somewhat on page 128; “they did monotonous stoop labor, often under adverse climate conditions. Given the seasonal nature of the jobs, they were forced to travel vast distances and to endure frequent periods of unemployment.”(Gonzales, p. 128). The working hours were extensive and pay was mediocre at best. For those who immigrated to America in hopes of making enough money for themselves and their families to live more adequately, this was a dream gone with the wind. Some even felt that they would never be able to generate enough money to even return to their

Some lived in tents outside or shoddy shacks. Some lived in close quarters with other workers in labor camps. There were even some that lived right next to the fields they worked in. Those who could afford it sometimes looked for “substandard housing in company towns”(Gonzales, p. 128). Disease spread through these areas like wildfire and those who lived outdoors were easily exposed to elements of nature like wild animals and poor weather conditions. There were no schools for the children. Because of the occupations most of the immigrants had and their financial situation, their social status seemed to remain fixed. It was hardly the American dream they had previously hoped for. The Mexican migration to America, although great, would later bring on much disappointment to those who decided to come to America. They faced unkind treatment and were not as welcomed as the European immigrants. They also held the worst of jobs that were available and where they were forced to live most often was utterly undesirable. Mexican people immigrated to America with glorious dreams of a new and improved escape from their old lives, but in doing so, they faced persistent struggles with racism, working and living