A History of Mexican Immigration (Virtual)

As part of our civic literacy and Hispanic Heritage Month cultural programming, we offer an exploration of the history of Mexican immigration. BPL welcomes back Dr. Francis Coan, Professor of History at Tunxis Community College, to guide us through this topic. Mexican immigration to the United States---born largely of geographic proximity, economics, and politics---has long been a multi-faceted, oft-contentious, and controversial issue in both the United States and Mexico. This presentation will provide an overview of Mexican immigration from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to the present. Topics will include the Mexican-American War, the growth of migrant labor, the Mexican Revolution, the development of border and immigration controls and restrictions, the Bracero Program, the 1965 Immigration Reform Act, the rise of Mexican-American political influence, the War on Drugs, the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, NAFTA, and immigration as a political issue. There will be time for Q & A.