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WWI and Laws on Immigration
The US joins WWI and temporary Mexican workers are encouraged to go work for the US. Congress passed the Immigration Act of 1917 which enforced a literacy requirement on all immigrants. The Selective Service Act becomes law making Mexican immigrants have to register even though they weren't eligible. -
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Border Patrol
The "Border Patrol" is created by Congress to control the border between Mexico and the US. -
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Mass Deportation
The US government deported between 300,000 and 500,000 Mexican Americans in the 1930s. -
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WWII and Fair Employment
Many Latinos enlist in the US military for WWII and becomes the largest ethnic group serving in the war. The Fair Employment Practices Act is passed, eliminating discrimination in employment. -
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Progress but Still Discrimination
On August 23, Macario Garcia becomes the first Mexican national to receive a U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor but he is refused service at the Oasis Café near his home in Texas. -
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Mexican Americans Have Difficulty Earning Military Benefits
The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 is passed, providing settlements for veterans. Mexican American veterans, however, have trouble receiving these benefits. -
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The American GI Forum is Created
Dr. Hector Garcia, a witness to racial injustice, begins holding meetings for Mexican Americans to voice their concerns, and in March they establish a new Mexican American movement: the American GI Forum. -
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Operation Wetback
Operation Wetback is put into place by the U.S. government. The initiative is a government effort to locate and deport undocumented workers leading to over 3.8 million people of Mexican decent to be deported. -
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Hernandez v The State of Texas
In the case Hernandez v. The State of Texas, the Supreme Court recognizes that Latinos are suffering inequality and profound discrimination, paving the way for Hispanic Americans to use legal means to fight for their equality. This is the first Supreme Court case briefed and argued by Mexican American attorneys. -
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West Side Story
The landmark production of West Side Story premieres on Broadway, chronicling the racial tensions of the '40s and '50s bringing the discrimination to a more public eye. -
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Aspira
Aspira (Aspire) is founded to promote the education of Hispanic youth and acquires a national following. -
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John F Kenned's Assassination and Lyndon B Johnson's Plan for Desegregation
On November 22, President John F. Kennedy is assassinated, leaving Lyndon B. Johnson as successor. President Johnson appoints more Mexican Americans to positions in government than any president before; he passes landmark legislation advocating desegregation. -
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Civil Rights Act of 1964
Congress passes the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act establishes affirmative action programs, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender, creed, race, or ethnic background. -
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Cesar Chavez begins his Pilgrimage
On March 17, Cesar Chavez sets out with 100 farm workers to begin his pilgrimage to the San Joaquin Valley.
On Easter Sunday, he reaches the state capital. With public sympathy mounting and the spring growing season upon them, growers finally agree to meet with union representatives. -
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Students Organize School Walkouts
On March 6, a walkout was planned and coordinated among East L.A. high schools. Approximately 10,000 students peacefully walk out of four schools and are joined by parents and supporters. Police were sent to maintain order but things got out of hand. -
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Progress for Latino Americans in Government
1970 - Herman Badillo is elected into the U.S. House of Representatives, making him the first Puerto Rican to serve in Congress.
1973 - Maurice Ferre becomes mayor of Miami, making him the first Puerto Rican to lead a major city in the mainland United States. -
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Equal Education Opportunity Act
Congress passes the Equal Educational Opportunity Act to create equality in public schools by offering bilingual education to Hispanic students. -
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Discrimination in Florida
Fidel Castro announces that any Cuban who wishes to leave may do so. Many Cubans left to Florida.
The newly arrived Cubans are quickly branded as mentally ill or criminal. Although only 4 percent are from mental hospitals, more than 25,000 have criminal records.
The English-only campaign comes roaring back, with Emmy Shafer again at the helm. In the 1980 election, voters approve the ordinance to end official bilingualism. -
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Ronald Reagan and the IRCA
President Ronald Reagan signs the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) intended to toughen U.S. immigration law; border security is to be enforced and employers are now required to monitor the immigration status of their employees. -
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Antonia C. Novello
President George Bush appoints the first woman and first Hispanic surgeon general of the United States: Antonia C. Novello. -
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First Hispanic Woman in Space
Ellen Ochoa becomes the first Hispanic woman to go to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. -
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More Government Positions Awarded to Latinos
Bill Clinton names Federico Peña as Secretary of Transportation and Henry Cisneros as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, making them both the first Hispanics to hold those positions. He also appoints Norma Cantú, former Director of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, to the position of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights within the Department of Education. Twenty-five other Hispanics are appointed to positions needing Senate confirmation under this presidency. -
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Prop 187
Proposition 187 is ruled unconstitutional, on the grounds that only the federal government has the authority to regulate immigration. -
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Large Population
Hispanics are pronounced the nation's largest minority group—surpassing African Americans. -
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Discrimination in Arizona
Anti-immigrant sentiment reaches a tipping point when Arizonans organize a group of volunteers known as "The Minutemen" to patrol the border. -
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Mayor of Los Angeles
Antonio Villaraigosa becomes the first Mexican American mayor of Los Angeles in more than a century. -
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Supreme Court Justice
Puerto Rican Sonia Sotomayor is sworn in as the first Latina Supreme Court Justice. -
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New Immigration Laws
With no new comprehensive federal immigration policy in place, states began to enact their own.
In April, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signs the broadest and toughest anti–illegal immigrant law in U.S. history. The legislation, SB-1070, cracks down on anyone harboring or hiring undocumented immigrants and gives local police unprecedented powers. -
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Georgia's Immigration Law
Georgia enacts its own version of Arizona's SB-1070—anyone stopped without a driver's license or proof of residency can be handed over to the immigration authorities. -
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Hispanics make up a very large percentage of the US
Hispanics make up about one-sixth of the U.S. population—nearly 51 million people. By the middle of the century, the Latino population is expected to reach 127 million—nearly 30 percent of the projected population of the country. -
Discrimination Today
There is much discrimination toward Hispanics today. Also, with the election of Donald Trump, there is more sentiment toward Hispanics and an increased want of deportation of immigrants.