OnRamps History: Professional Learning Institute

Beyond Borders: A History of Mexican Migration to the United States details the origins and evolution of the movement of people from Mexico into the United States from the first significant flow across the border at the turn of the twentieth century up to the present day. Considers the issues from the perspectives of both the United States and Mexico Offers a reasoned assessment of the factors that drive Mexican immigration, explains why so many of the policies enacted in Washington have only worsened the problem, and suggests what policy options might prove more effective Argues that the problem of Mexican immigration can only be solved if Mexico and the United States work together to reduce the disequilibrium that propels Mexican immigrants to the United States

Camille Guerin-Gonzales is an associate professor and chair of the Cesar Chavez Center for Chicana and Chicano Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles

"In this excellently researched monograph, Hoffman focuses on Los Angeles to picture graphically the repatriation movement of 500,000 Mexicans and Mexican-Americans during the depression decade of 1929-1939."—The Journal of American History"A welcome addition to the growing number of monographs on Chicano history."—Pacific Historical Review"Valuable because it investigates and analyzes in excellent historical fashion a part of Mexican American history that has been generally misunderstood."—Southern California Quarterly

Twentieth-century Los Angeles has been the locus of one of the most profound and complex interactions between variant cultures in American history. Yet this study is among the first to examine the relationship between ethnicity and identity among the largest immigrant group to that city. Byfocusing on Mexican immigrants to Los Angeles from 1900 to 1945, George J. Sanchez explores the process by which temporary sojourners altered their orientation to that of permanent residents, thereby laying the foundation for a new Mexican-American culture. Analyzing not only formal programs aimedat these newcomers by the United States and Mexico, but also the world created by these immigrants through family networks, religious practice, musical entertainment, and work and consumption patterns, Sanchez uncovers the creative ways Mexicans adapted their culture to life in the United States.When a formal repatriation campaign pushed thousands to return to Mexico, those remaining in Los Angeles launched new campaigns to gain civil rights as ethnic Americans through labor unions and New Deal politics. The immigrant generation, therefore, laid the groundwork for the emergingMexican-American identity of their children.

In "The Mexican Texans, "author Phyllis McKenzie uses historical narrative and a wealth of photographs to explore how time has shaped the identity of Mexican Texans and their continued contribution in the Lone Star State through more than six generations. With vivid descriptions of the language, music, values, and celebrations that enrich Mexican Texan life, this book will appeal to readers young and old who are interested in Texas and Mexican history. Features include - 58 illustrations - boxed biographical sketches - Spanish poetry with English translation - recipes for traditional Mexican Texan dishes "The Mexican Texans" is part of a five-volume set from the Institute of Texan Cultures. The entire set, entitled "Texans ""All, " explores the social and cultural contributions made by five distinctive cultural groups that already existed in Texas prior to its statehood or that came to Texas in the early twentieth century: "The Indian Texans, The Mexican Texans, The European Texans, The African Texans, " and "The Asian Texans."