Mexican immigrants, along with their Mexican
American descendants, occupy a unique place in the story of U.S.
immigration. They are known by many different names, come from
divergent origins, and took widely different paths to becoming
part of the United States.
Millions of people in the United States today
identify themselves as Mexican immigrants or Mexican Americans.
They are among both the oldest and newest inhabitants of the
nation. Some Mexicans were already living in the Southern and
Western regions of the North American continent centuries before
the United States existed. Many more Mexicans came to the country
during the 20th century, and Mexican immigrants continue to arrive
The multicultural inheritance of Mexican Americans
is rich and complex. It reflects the influences of Spain, Mexico,
and indigenous cultures, and has been shaped by hundreds of years
of survival and adaptation in the crucible of North American
history. Their history was also shaped by wars and depressions,
by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Gadsden Purchase,
and by shifting attitudes toward immigration.
Mexican immigration occupies
a complex position in the U.S. legal system and in U.S. public
opinion. Immigration law has swung back and forth throughout
the 20th century, at times welcoming Mexican immigrants and at
other times slamming the door shut on them. The public reception
of this immigrant group has also been unpredictable; Mexican
immigrants have been able to make a place for themselves in communities
across the United States, but frequently have had to battle hostile
elements in those same communities to survive. In many ways,
this push-and-pull dynamic continues today.
Mexican immigrants and their descendants now
make up a significant portion of the U.S. population and have
become one of the most influential social and cultural groups
in the country. Mexican American culture will likely continue
to shape U.S. life in language, politics, food, and daily living
and will help define the nation's identity for a new century.
As you explore this feature, consider the
ways in which the Mexican immigrant experience has affected your