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Mexican Revolution (1910–1920).

Violence and oppressive forces in Mexico.

Economic hardship.

Environmental problems

Social and political issues

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Jorge was a man who immigrated to the United States from Mexico alone and struggled in both countries. He had to care for and support his family because he was the oldest of 5 siblings. He worked from a young age and supported his siblings through school for a better education, and when he heard about the financial opportunities in the United States and decided to move to the United States shortly afterwards. Once in the United States, he began working for a roofing company and sending part of his paychecks back to his family in Mexico. He observed common problems that other immigrants experienced, but he did not experience those same situations; he was making a life for himself in the United States. However, he often said that he planned to return to Mexico once he had enough money to support everyone he cared for; his story demonstrates the socioeconomic roles a person may have and how they can play a part in the stress on an immigrant and how that stress is often worse for them.

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4.4 million immigrants call Florida their home.

Immigrants make up 21% of Florida's population.

56% have lived there for 10+ years.

16% have lived there for 20+ years.

67% of the immigrant population in Florida is active in the workforce.

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Texas has 4.9 million immigrants, making up 17% of the state's population.

Mexico remains the top country of origin, 51% of all immigrants are Mexican-born (≈2.5 million)

Hispanic Texans officially are the largest population group in the state, representing 40.2% of the population, surpassing non-Hispanic whites at 39.8%​

Immigrants make up 22% of the Texas workforce. Mexican immigrants are particularly concentrated in:

Construction (37% of all construction workers)

Agriculture (27%)

Cleaning/Maintenance (46%)

Mexican immigrants own a substantial number of small businesses, especially in cities like Houston (51% of all business owners are immigrants)

(American Immigration Council, 2020)

(Index Mundi, 2025)

(Ura, 2023)

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Emmanuel Jorge Fuentes Gonzalez was born in 1913 in Mexico. At the age of seven, his family fled the turmoil of the Mexican Revolution and immigrated to San Antonio, Texas. Like many immigrants of his era, Emmanuel's early life in the United States was marked by poverty, discrimination, and cultural barriers. For example, in school, he was punished for speaking Spanish.

However, Emmanuel graduated valedictorian and discovered his passion for social work. Obtaining a B.A. in Social Work from St. Mary’s University and a master’s from Our Lady of the Lake University.

Emmanuel dedicated his life to improving the lives of others, especially immigrant and underserved communities.

He played a key role in establishing the San Antonio Food Bank.

He encouraged major grocery chains to contribute to hunger relief efforts.

He supported refugee resettlement efforts for Cuban and Vietnamese immigrants.

He founded a center for unwed mothers, now known as Mass Center.

He championed Hispanic education by fundraising for the LULAC scholarship program, helping Latino students afford college.

Emmanuel’s life exemplifies the enduring contributions of Mexican immigrants in Texas. From humble beginnings, he rose to become a transformative social leader.

(Hohman, 2019)

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Immigrants in California come from dozens of countries; the leading countries of origin are Mexico (3.8 million), the Philippines (821,136), China (795,450), India (574,498), and Vietnam (525,455).

The Mexican-American population makes up 32% of California's workforce

Counties with the highest population of Mexican Americans:

Los Angeles (3,285,200)

Organ (946,300)

Santa Clara (780,700)

San Diego (738,300)

Alameda (563,000)

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Maria, a first-generation immigrant and single mother, struggled to pass on her Mexican culture and language to her children while focused on survival in a new country. Her daughter, Tamara, born in California, grew up facing discrimination and felt forced to choose between being Mexican or American. She ultimately embraced her Mexican identity, supported by her culturally connected community. Tamara’s daughter, Jillian, now a Yale student, has both Mexican and Jewish heritage. She largely identified as white to avoid the challenges tied to her Mexican roots, resulting in limited language skills and cultural connection. Despite this, her loyalty to family remains a key link to her heritage.

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Bracero Program

Family reunification

Access to education and social services

Economic opportunities

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“Why Immigrants Keep Coming to the U.S.” *YouTube*, uploaded by The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2021, https://youtu.be/WXrvQWUWJBA?si=t_eHzFFoSlQYrQku. 

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What does it mean to be Mexican-American? video

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What does it mean to be Mexican-American? video

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0:50-3:00

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What does it mean to be Mexican-American?

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Long before the United States acquired Texas, the region was part of Spanish and then Mexican territory. As such, Mexican presence in Texas predates U.S. statehood, and for many Mexican immigrants, crossing into Texas was less about entering a foreign land than returning to familiar territory. This history has contributed to a perception among many Mexican migrants that Texas is not entirely foreign. Many migrants are drawn to Texas because of its cultural familiarity: Spanish is widely spoken, many cities have names and architecture with Spanish colonial roots, and there are Catholic churches, Mexican restaurants, and social organizations that reflect shared traditions.

In addition, working-class Mexican immigrants enter as casual laborers, driven by the Texas labor market. Many as seasonal agricultural workers, intending to return home. Yet over time, many settle permanently.

Other pull factors have historically included the geographic proximity and the presence of established Mexican communities. Texas shares a long border with Mexico, making crossing more logistically feasible than migrating to northern states.

(Bouvier & Martin, 1995)

(Handman, 1926)

(Slayden, 1921)

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The Bracero Program (1942-1964)

In the 1940s, WWII was in the works which resulted in an economic and labor shift. This crisis in the United States was a blessing to the Mexican Immigrants coming to California and various other southern states. This gaping hole in the labor division was a chance for Mexican immigrants to get work in industrial or agricultural positions. From the shortage came the Bracero program, a program developed by the U.S. government that granted Mexican Immigrants a temporary contract to work in countless labor-heavy jobs that were empty due to WWII. While this program aided Mexican immigrants in their move to the U.S.

Historical and Cultural Connections

Before California was part of the U.S., it was part of Mexico. This deep cultural connection has created a sense of familiarity and heritage for Mexican immigrants. Many cities, traditions, and communities reflect Mexican culture.

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Adolfson, Dawn Fae. “Para El Sur: Analyzing Contemporary Mexican Return Migration with a Case Study of Jupiter, Florida Immigrants.” Wilkes Honors College of  Florida Atlantic University, 2013, https://fau.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fau%3A31013/datastream/OBJ/view/Para_el_sur__analyzing_contemporary_Mexican_return_migration_with_a_case_study_of_Jupiter__Florida_immigrants.pdf. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

American Immigration Council. Immigrants in Texas. 6 Aug. 2020, https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/sites/default/files/research/immigrants_in_texas.pdf.

Bouvier, Leon F., and John L. Martin. Shaping Texas: The Effects of Immigration, 1970–2020. Center for Immigration Studies, Apr. 1995, https://cis.org/Report/Shaping-Texas-Effects-Immigration-19702020.

Handman, Max Sylvius. "The Mexican Immigrant in Texas." The Southwestern Political and Social Science Quarterly (1926): 33-41.

Hohman, Christopher. "One Immigrant’s Legacy, One Immigrant’s Story." Texas Story Project, Bullock Texas State History Museum, 17 Sept. 2019, https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/texas-story-project/one-immigrants-legacy-story.

“Fact Sheet: Immigrants in Florida.” National Immigration Forum, 2 July 2019, immigrationforum.org/article/fact-sheet-immigrants-in-florida/.

Index Mundi. "Texas Hispanic or Latino Origin Population Percentage by County." Index Mundi, www.indexmundi.com/facts/united-states/quick-facts/texas/hispanic-or-latino-population-percentage. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025

Slayden, James L. "The Mexican Immigrant: Some Observations on Mexican Immigration." The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 93.1 (1921): 121-126.

Ura, Alexa. "Hispanics Officially Make Up the Biggest Share of Texas’ Population, New Census Numbers Show." The Texas Tribune, 21 June 2023, https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/21/census-texas-hispanic-population-demographics/.​