Essay On Mexican Immigration

One theme that has caused Latinos to be viewed as a threat is the idea that undocumented immigrants are criminals. When the term restriction on immigration is discussed, it is about whom we want to include as part of the nation. “The immigration reforms of the 1920s created major restrictions in the flow of immigrants, in the process producing hierarchies of people and nationalities.” (Chavez, pg. 23) Because of this increase in immigrant restrictions, the importance of national boarders arose. Several techniques that were implemented to enforce the boarders were surveillance, Boarder Patrol, and immigrant health examinations. During this time of increased enforcement the term “illegal aliens” began to be used. After the formation of …show more content…
to reconquest land. During the 1970s this idea that Mexicans are trying to take land from the U.S. evolved quickly. Some Americans tried to support this idea of invasion by using the fact that Mexican immigrants tried to maintain linguistic and socially separate lives from the rest of society. Using this as a way to plan and execute their takeover of U.S. land. However, this sense of separation is only a result of racialization and inequality shown towards Latinos in the U.S. This idea of Mexican takeover promoted anxiety and unnecessary worry in the U.S. population. The media formed this belief that there were too many immigrants. “For example, the December 1974 cover of the American Legion Magazine depicted the United States being overrun by “illegal aliens”.” (Chavez, pg. 27) One term that also stood out to me in the reading was “undiluted traditions”. This term was another way of saying that because Mexican Americans didn’t assimilate into society, they were planning an invasion. “Characterizing Mexican Americans as foreigners who remain foreign (undiluted) gave added urgency to the invasion metaphor.”(Chavez, pg.