Mexican Immigration and Culture in the Fourth Movement

Overview of Mexican Immigration in the Fourth Movement

• This movement is characterized by significant Mexican immigration to the United States, starting in 1965.

Questions to Consider

• Who immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico during the fourth movement, and what status were they given?
  • Mexican immigrants entered under various visa programs.
• What type of discrimination did Mexicans face during this period?
  • Persistent discrimination and stereotyping continue, rooted in economic competition.
• What was the U.S. government's response to undocumented immigration?
  • Increased border control measures and penalties for employers of undocumented workers.
• Did Mexicans and Mexican Americans assimilate?
  • Assimilation was limited due to cultural retention and community ties.
• How influential is Mexican culture in the U.S.?
  • Significant influence on food, language, music, and public life.

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

• Ended the quota systems favoring immigrants from certain countries.
• Established a limit of 300,000 visas for permanent residents, with a cap of 20,000 per country, impacting Mexican immigration significantly.

Types of Visas for Mexican Immigrants

1. Permanent Visa

   • Standard: Allows for permanent residency and eventual citizenship application.
   • Limited to 20,000 visas annually for Mexico.

2. Commuter Visa

   • For those who live in Mexico but travel daily to work in the U.S.
   • This visa allows Mexicans to work in the U.S. without residing there.

3. Border Crosser

   • Given short-term work permits, often linked to specific agricultural needs.
   • Similar to the Bracero Program.
   • Temporary employment; requires return to Mexico after permits expire.

4. Undocumented Immigration

   • Individuals entering the U.S. without visas or through proper channels.
   • Growth of undocumented immigration remained a relevant issue over the decades.

Growth of the Mexican Population in the U.S.

• Rapid increase from 1965 to 1990, doubling every decade.
• By 1990, 4.3 million Mexican immigrants in the U.S., mostly in states like California and Texas.
• Shift from agricultural areas to urban centers, e.g., Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago.

Discrimination and Labor Issues

• Ongoing discrimination faced by Mexican Americans despite progress from movements like La Raza and United Farm Workers.
• Issues include:
  • Low wages and lack of legal protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act (1938).
  • Farm workers not guaranteed minimum wage or overtime.
  • Historical exclusion from labor unions leading to self-organization efforts.

Government Policies on Undocumented Immigration

• Border Patrol

  • Established in 1924; evolved to have authority to search for illegal immigrants inside the U.S.

• Immigration Reform and Control Act (1986)

  • Signed by Ronald Reagan, aimed at regulating employment and addressing undocumented immigration.
  • Introduced penalties for employers hiring undocumented workers and provided amnesty for those in the U.S. before 1982.

• Border Wall and Fencing

  • Series of barriers established from 1990 onwards to deter undocumented immigration.
  • Presidents Bush and Clinton expanded fencing, continuing through Obama and Trump.

• Racial Profiling

  • Law enforcement targeting based on race/ethnicity, particularly intensified in Arizona.
  • The 2010 Arizona law SB 1070 led to state law enforcement verifying the immigration status of detained individuals.

Cultural Assimilation vs. Retention

• Mexican Americans do not fit the general assimilation pattern seen in other immigrant groups due to:
  1. Long historical presence in the U.S. (some trace ancestry back over 10 generations).
  2. Continuous waves of recent immigration reinforce cultural practices.
  3. Living in dense communities with shared cultural ties & frequent interaction.
  4. Proximity to Mexico allowing frequent visits to maintain heritage.
  5. Influence of the Chicano movement, which fosters pride in cultural identity and questions assimilation.

Conclusion

• Over 37 million people of Mexican descent in the U.S., making up over 11% of the population.
• Significant contributions and cultural influence sustained despite assimilation pressures.
• Trends in immigration are seeing a decline, possibly influenced by improved conditions in Mexico and stricter U.S. enforcement policies.