Debating American Identity: Southwestern Statehood and Mexican Immigration

262 Pages·2014·4.644 MB·English

by  Linda C. Noel

Debating American Identity

Debating American
Identity
Southwestern Statehood
and Mexican Immigration
Linda C. Noel

tucson
The University of Arizona Press
© 2014 The Arizona Board of Regents
All rights reserved
w ww. uapress. arizona. edu
Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data
Noel, Linda C., 1966–
Debating American identity : Southwestern statehood and Mexican immigration /
Linda C. Noel.
p ages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8165-3045-8 (cloth : acid-free paper)
1. Mexicans—Arizona—History—20th century. 2. Mexicans—New Mexico—
History—20th century. 3. Arizona—Ethnic relations—History—20th century.
4. New Mexico—Ethnic relations—History—20th century. 5. Arizona—Politics
and government—To 1950. 6. New Mexico—Politics and government—1848–1950.
7. Ethnicity—Political aspects—Southwest, New—History—20th century.
8. Immigrants—Southwest, New—History—20th century. 9. Southwest,
New—Emigration and immigration—History—20th century. 10. Mexico—Emigration
and immigration—History—20th century. I. Title.
F820.M5N64 2014
305.8009791—dc23
2013034058
Manufactured in the United States of America on acid- free, archival- quality paper
containing a minimum of 30% post- consumer waste and pro cessed chlorine free.
19 1 8 1 7 1 6 1 5 1 4 6 5 4 3 2 1
To Larry

Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Note on Terminology xiii
Introduction 3
Part I. The Late Territorial Years, 1898–1 912
1. The Closed Door: Exclusion Reigns 23
2. The Door Swings Inward: Pluralism and Marginalization 43
Part II. Transformations:
The First World War Era, 1917–1 922
3. Changing Strategies for a New World 67
4. Marginalization Evolves: Image of a Temporary Worker 83
Part III. Immigration Restriction Debates, 1926– 1930
5. Closing the Door? 103
6. Promotion of the Temporary Worker 119
Part IV. Repatriation, 1930– 1935
7. “To Keep America American”: The Door Swings Outward 141

Notes 165
Bibliography 217
Index 239

Ac know ledg ments
Ack nowl edgm ents are often written in a rush as the deadline looms for
publication, and this one is no different. Or at least that is my excuse for
writing ac know ledg ments which may forget important folks who helped
along the way and do injustice to my friends, family, and professional con-
tacts that deserve much more thought and praise than they are going to
receive.
Professionally I have received much help. Gary Gerstle got me started
with some of my initial questions in his graduate course at the University
of Maryl and long ago and has remained a valuable resource; Ira Berlin
and David Sicilia asked tough questions that helped me to refi ne my work
and have provided ongoing support. Mary Kay Vaughan shared her enthu-
siasm of my project and guided me around Mexico City. Barbara Wein-
stein provided key support at a critical moment, as did Daryle Williams.
University of Colorado professors Ralph Mann, Virginia Anderson, Lee
Chambers, and Patricia Limerick welcomed me into the fi eld long before
this project began. And it was in Virginia Anderson’s class that I fi rst be-
came interested in New Mexico. Laura Muñoz read and commented on
an earlier version of one of the chapters. Anonymous reviewers corrected
some mistakes and helped to improve the book’s fl ow. Librarians at the
various archives I visited also deserve thanks and appreciation, as well as
all the staff at the University of Arizona Press who guided me through the
publication pro cess.
Current and former colleagues (and friends) at Morgan State University
have all been very supportive of this project, but especially Frank Brown,
ix