The Book of Unknown Americans

Latin American immigration to the US has been ongoing since the 19th century, intensifying in the 20th and 21st centuries due to various socioeconomic, political, and cultural factors. The earliest significant wave of Latin American immigrants came from Mexico following the US-Mexican War in 1846-1848. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war, resulted in Mexico ceding nearly half its territory, which encompasses modern-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. Mexicans living in these regions became US citizens, establishing long-standing Mexican communities in the Southwest.

As industrialization accelerated in the US during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Latin American workers, particularly from Mexico, were recruited for labor in agriculture, railroads, and mining. During the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), political instability and violence pushed thousands of Mexicans to seek refuge in the US. This trend continued into the 20th century, particularly during times of economic crisis or political turmoil in Latin America, such as the Cuban Revolution (1959), civil wars in Central America (1970s-1990s), and economic collapse in countries like Venezuela.

In the 21st century, Latin and South American immigration has grown at three times the rate of immigration from other regions. This has sparked ongoing issues involving border control and efforts to reduce unauthorized immigration, which have become major focuses of political policy and activism.