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Mexican Immigrants

Mexican Immigrants

Introduction

Mexican immigrants are one of the largest groups of foreign-born individuals in the United States. According to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, there are roughly 11.2 million Mexican immigrants living in the United States. This accounts for approximately 25% of the total foreign-born population in the United States.

In this article, we will explore the experiences of Mexican immigrants in the United States, including their history, demographics, and challenges they face. We will also examine the impact that Mexican immigrants have on the United States economy and society.

History of Mexican Immigration

The history of Mexican immigration to the United States dates back to the late 1800s. The first wave of immigrants came to the United States after the Mexican-American War in 1848. This wave of immigrants came primarily from Northern Mexico and settled in the southwest region of the United States. Many of these immigrants were poor peasants who were looking for work in the mines and on railroads.

In the early 1900s, the United States implemented strict immigration policies that were designed to limit the number of immigrants that could enter the country. These policies had a significant impact on Mexican immigration. However, the demand for cheap labor in the United States continued to grow, and as a result, Mexican immigration continued through unauthorized channels.

During the 1940s, the United States initiated the Bracero Program, which allowed Mexican workers to enter the United States on temporary work permits to work on farms and in other agricultural industries. This program continued until 1964 when it was discontinued due to criticism from labor unions and civil rights groups.

Demographics of Mexican Immigrants

The demographics of Mexican immigrants have changed significantly over the past few decades. In the 1980s and 1990s, the majority of Mexican immigrants were men who came to the United States to work in agriculture and other low-wage industries. Today, however, there are more women and children among the Mexican immigrant population.

According to the Pew Research Center, the median age of Mexican immigrants in the United States is 44 years old. The majority of Mexican immigrants have lived in the United States for over a decade, with many having lived in the country for more than 20 years.

Challenges Faced by Mexican Immigrants

Mexican immigrants face a number of challenges when they come to the United States. One of the biggest challenges is the language barrier. Most Mexican immigrants speak Spanish as their primary language, and this can make it difficult for them to communicate with other people in the United States.

Another challenge faced by Mexican immigrants is discrimination. Many Mexican immigrants face discrimination based on their ethnicity, particularly in areas with large Hispanic populations. This can make it difficult for them to find work or to find housing.

Mexican immigrants also face challenges related to education. Many Mexican immigrants come to the United States with little education, and this can make it difficult for them to find work or to advance their careers.

Impact of Mexican Immigrants on the Economy

The impact of Mexican immigrants on the United States economy is significant. Mexican immigrants make up a large portion of the workforce in many industries, including agriculture, construction, and food service.

In 2018, Mexican immigrants in the United States contributed approximately $2.9 trillion to the economy. This includes both their contributions as workers and as consumers.

Mexican immigrants also contribute to the United States economy through taxes. In 2018, Mexican immigrants paid approximately $28 billion in federal taxes and $11.5 billion in state and local taxes.

Impact of Mexican Immigrants on Society

Mexican immigrants have had a significant impact on American society. They have contributed to the cultural diversity of the United States and have influenced American culture in many ways.

Mexican immigrants have also had a significant impact on the political landscape of the United States. In recent years, Mexican immigrants have become more politically active and have played an important role in several elections.

Conclusion

Mexican immigrants make up a significant portion of the foreign-born population of the United States. They have contributed in many ways to the United States economy and society. However, they also face a number of challenges related to language, discrimination, and education. Despite these challenges, they continue to play an important role in American society.


Throughout the history of the United States there has been a constantly fluctuating relationship between the United States and Mexico. Because they share borders, it is natural for the United States and Mexico to have a flow of individuals going in and out of the respective nations. Traditionally, throughout history, this has always been an occurrence.

During the largely formative years of the United States, throughout a good portion of the 1900s, Mexico was having issues regarding their land and the availability of work,. At this time,the United States had programs established to bring Mexican immigrant workers up to help them with ranches and labor-intensive work.

Throughout the nations there were Mexican immigrants found working as mechanics, painters, plumbers and various other jobs that were required. Furthermore, the Mexican immigrants were required to obtain contracts if they desired to leave the workforce of the United States, in order to go back to Mexico. The reason for such necessity for Mexican immigrant workers was due, in part, to World War I. During World War I, a good portion of American men were sent out to serve; this left all vocational fields open, and factory jobs were also required in order to make goods for the troops.

Throughout the war years, the Mexican immigrant worker numbers grew to the millions. However, along with this grew tension between the United States and Mexico. After World War II had ended, a large portion of Mexican Immigrants who came to the United States for work during war years were returned to their homeland. Since them, the issue of Mexican Immigration has become a more sensitive overall. Issue of illegal immigrants and border control problems have lead several upsurges of tension between the nations.