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Mexican Revolution 1910-1917 The Mexican people fighting in the revolution and the Mexican people trying to escape it, crossed over the border during some point of the revolutionary years between 1910- 1920. For those who wanted no part in the conflict, the choice became to hide or to leave the country. Most of the citizens in the bordering cities opted to leave the country and migrate to the United States. Some of the important factors that caused the migration were from; the chaos, danger, economic disaster, social disorganization, conditions of violence and seized population growth, all which led to the migration across the Mexican American border. Mexican revolutionaries, as well as federals migrated to the United States when conditions made it impossible to operate in Mexico. The Mexican revolutionaries and federals entered the United Sates in hope to plot further incursions into Mexico. These exiles were joined by thousands of other political and economic refugees who sought asylum north of the international border. Whether you were a supporter of the revolution or had no involvement in it, the United States for many was a stable and safe alternative to staying in Mexico during certain periods of unrest. "An estimated 890,371 legal Mexicans immigrants came to the United States between July 1910 and July 1920." The Mexicans were either legal immigrants, temporary workers, refugees or illegal aliens. Other factors can be noted to why there was a huge migration to the United States during the years of the Mexican revolution. Besides escaping the social and economic disorganization in Mexico, the Mexican looked to the United States as a place to find stable employment and a place to seek adventure and opportunity. The Mexicans did find work opportunities primarily in railroad construction and maintenance.(2) The US Reaction to Migration and Immigration Laws In the begging of the Mexican Revolution the US immigration officials had noted that the quality of the immigrants were not measuring up to their expectations. The US immigration officials had a sympathetic attitude and were able to justify why the immigrants fled to the United States and why the United States should allow them to stay. By 1914, during the heaviest fighting period of the Revolution, the better-class started to immigrate in large numbers. The war thus was depriving the lower and working class citizens the opportunity to migrate. Only the wealthier Mexican citizens could afford to travel across the border. At this point in the revolution it was not unlikely that the US immigration officials would see entire towns cross the border before or during military clashes in the area. Mexican Migration to the United States became problematic with the Immigration Act of 1917. The Immigration Act imposed a literacy test, a $8.00 head tax and also reiterated the prohibition against contract labor. Mexicans not understanding the new regulations or fearful of exclusion, began to immigrate illegally in to the United States. "An estimated 60,000 illegal immigrants had entered the United States in 1920 alone." The Mexicans were desperate for money, food and badly needed jobs. The problem got so severe, a new smuggling industry was created to get the Mexican aliens across the frontier. Illegal immigration caused bad feelings among the Americans and the Mexicans. Overall Mexican migration during the Revolution had a huge impact on the United States. Many Americans felt that immigration was beneficial and necessary to the economy and were critical of the laws that were restricting the free flow of Mexicans northward. Mexicans were seen as people with good character and their migration meant they would be both producers and consumers in society and help economic growth in the United States. After traveling south of the border many Americans were also left with the feeling that the United States simply could not turn their backs on the Mexican people, simply because the quality of life that they had in Mexico was minimal. (3) |
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