The US-Mexico border

Question 1

How was the borderlines before the Mexican-American war?

Answer 1

The border went further north. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas all belonged to Mexico to begin with

Question 2

How has the old borderline between Mexico and the USA become important for the political debate on migration?

Answer 2

Because Mexicans say that it’s not they who migrate to the US, it’s the US border who has migrated to Mexico

Question 3

When was the Mexican-American war?

Answer 3

1848

Question 4

What was the result of the Mexican-American war?

Answer 4

The US won and therefore the borderline was changed in the USA’s favor. Those Meixcans within the new US territories were granted US citizenship

Question 5

What immigration law was in effect in the US by 1882?

Answer 5

The Chinese Exclusion Act

Question 6

What immigration law was in effect in the US by 1924?

Answer 6

Immigration Act (against Southern and eastern Europeans)

Question 7

What immigration law was in effect in the US by 1965?

Answer 7

Immigration and Nationality Act (neutral quota system, nummerial caps on Western Hemisphere)

Question 8

What happened in 1986?

Answer 8

We had the “Reagan Amnesty”, were 2 million Mexican immigrants had their legal status changed from undocumented to legal

Question 9

What happened with the border between Mexico and the US over time which changed how Mexicans migrated?

Answer 9

It became militarized. It lead to Mexicans no longer being transmigrants circulating back and forth for work in the US, but instead seeking permanent stay in the US as it became increasingly more dangerous to cross the border

Question 10

When was the first fence between the US and Mexico set up, and what was it for?

Answer 10

It was set up during late 19th century. It was set up to stop cattle from Mexico going over to the US without being medically cleared. These cattles brought with them diseases into the US which was not wanted

Question 11

When was modern border control established between Mexico and the US?

Answer 11

In the 20’s

Question 12

How did modern border control change migration for Mexicans?

Answer 12

Now they came over illegally, as it was costly and time consuming to cross over legally

Question 13

Was it illegal to employ illegal immigrants?

Answer 13

Yes. However, those farmes who do are rarely facing any charges for the issue. Instead, the immigrants find themselves much more targeted

Question 14

What is method used most for illegal migration?

Answer 14

Not by physically walking or dragging oneself over the border, but by acquering a Visa and staying over the given time in secret

Question 15

What was common for Mexicans?

Answer 15

To come for the US for seasonal work, and then return to Mexico. If they returned with much money they could buy a farmland or start a small business. Also, it was common to return for the christmas season at home

Question 16

What changed after WWW1?

Answer 16

There was a recession in the early 20’s. This lead to Mexicans being sent home from the US by repatriation

Question 17

What chagned during the roaring 20’s?

Answer 17

With a booming economy of the 20’s the US once again locked to the south for finding labor to their industrial giants

Question 18

What changed with the stock market crash of ‘29?

Answer 18

Repatriation once again became a thing. The US built up an anti-Mexican hysteria, feeling that the Mexicans was recieving public benefits on the expense of tax payers

Question 19

How would Mexicans be forced home?

Answer 19

On trains, trucks, buses, ships and on foot, and they came in masses

Question 20

How was the trips on board the ships to Mexico?

Answer 20

Horrible. The ships that were used were not passenger-ships. Also, Mexicans were shipped to random ports. For example a newspaper reported a woman screaming “Let us off!… I am just going to die, I have no money, no one knows me in that town in Mexico”

Question 21

What was the common transportation method?

Answer 21

Train, as it was the cheapest

Question 22

What did train companies do to try to make Mexicans leave?

Answer 22

They introduced special deals to encourage repatriates to leave. Fares could be reduced to 50% for instance

Question 23

How did the Mexicans feel about leaving the US?

Answer 23

Some did not feel like Mexico was home anymore. Their dreams, hopes and lives were rooted deep in the soil of the US, no matter the fact that they never applied for US citizenship or clung to their cultural traditions and pride of their homeland

Question 24

What happened to Mexican families?

Answer 24

It was common that they became split up as a result of deportation and repatriation

Question 25

What happened to Mexican children in orphanages in the US?

Answer 25

They also faced repatriation. Often counties tried to find homes for the orphans, if unsuccessful they attempted to return the children to relatives in Mexico or transfer them to orphanages across the border

Question 26

What did Mexican businessmen and craftsmen decide to do?

Answer 26

Join the exodus. Consequently, established businesses, choice property, equipment etc. went on the auction blocks for cheap prices

Question 27

What happened to animals and plants owned by Mexicans crossing the border?

Answer 27

They were needed to be medically cleared before crossing the boarder. This caused much trouble for the repatriates and it was not cheap

Question 28

What did often men bring with them over the border?

Answer 28

Items which was needed for reestablishing themselves in Mexico. These items were granted access for transport as Mexico desperately needed economic growth

Question 29

How was the conditions for repatriates on the border?

Answer 29

Terrible. There were people who were sick, starving and dying waiting for passage or else

Question 30

How was the border cities?

Answer 30

They were in extremely short supply of food, water and shelter as to many migrants ended up there

Question 31

What is the total estimated amount of repatriates?

Answer 31

1 million