"Decade of Betrayal": How the U.S. Expelled Over a Half Million U.S. Citizens to Mexico in 1930s

Recent questions

• What is the historical context of Mexican deportations in the U.S.?

  During the Great Depression, over a million people, including U.S. citizens of Mexican descent, were deported. California issued a formal apology and built a memorial in Los Angeles to commemorate the victims. Scholar Francisco Balderrama discusses this overlooked chapter of American history, detailing the mass expulsion of Mexican nationals and American citizens of Mexican descent during the 1930s.

• How did the press contribute to anti-immigrant sentiments in the past?

  The press played a significant role in stirring anti-immigrant fervor during the Hoover and Roosevelt administrations. This contributed to the unjust treatment and mass expulsion of Mexican nationals and American citizens of Mexican descent during the 1930s. Personal accounts, like that of Ignacio Pena, shed light on the traumatic experiences of families being deported, emphasizing the unjust treatment they faced.

• What are the cyclical patterns of mass deportations in the U.S.?

  Mass deportations in the U.S. have occurred in a cyclical nature during economic crises. Scholar Francisco Balderrama notes similar patterns in the 1950s, Bush years, and Obama years. This highlights the recurring issue of unjust deportations during times of economic hardship.

• How did President Trump refer to his deportation plans?

  President Trump referred to his deportation plans as a military operation during a meeting with manufacturing CEOs. He emphasized the removal of gang members and drug lords, aiming to increase deportations and block residents from certain Muslim-majority countries. Press Secretary Sean Spicer stated that Trump wants to empower immigration agents.

• What term was used as a cover-up for coercive deportations?

  The term "repatriation" was used as a cover-up for coercive deportations. Scholar Francisco Balderrama stresses the importance of activism and cross-ethnic solidarity to prevent history from repeating itself. This term was used to mask the unjust treatment and mass expulsion of Mexican nationals and American citizens of Mexican descent during the 1930s.