Immigration Autobiography

Running head: IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 1

Student’s Name

Institution

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 2

Immigration Autobiography

Introduction

The United States of America is known as the land of opportunity. This perspective is the

primary contributing factor to the large number of foreigners who move to the country to seek a

better future for themselves and their families. America is a country build on diversity. The

country was and is being built by individuals ranging from different nationalities and diverse

ethnic groups who migrated or were forcefully brought into the country (Shih et al. 2009). From

the arrival of the first Europeans into the then Native lands to the recent relocation of immigrants

in the current age, America is defined by its diversity and ethnicity. The ever-present infusion of

immigrates has enriched the U.S through the addition of culture and diversity; however, the

immigration issue in itself has been a source of considerable controversy.

This immigration autobiography is focused on my family’s migration history. The paper

will focus on the first generation experience in the new country, their reasons for migration,

socio-economic factors that influenced and affect the first generation and the generation

following it. This study will also follow the geographic mobility of the critical members of the

family who have had a direct influence in shaping my life and my boarder sociological opinions

and views.

Immigration stories are different for every individual. Though to many it may appear

similar, it is not. It was therefore imperative to conduct sufficient research before developing this

autobiography. Extensive research into my family history was done by looking into family

documents, holding discussions with my family members and browsing the local database on

information that might be useful in finding out more on the previous generations.

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 3

Family Background

I originate from a large family of mixed ethnic groups. This paper will focus on the

Hispanic part of my family from my father’s side. Specifically, the article will focus on my

father’s Grandmother: my Great Grandmother’s family migration from Mexico to the United

States of America at the beginning of the 20th century. My Grandma Rosa was still a young girl,

not even ten years old when they migrated. I chose the subject as my focus because the

experience of the first generation has had a significant influence on my family and more

importantly on me.

Grandmother Rosa, as she was popularly known was born in the city of Guadalajara in

Mexico. Her father worked as an accountant at a local bank, and her mother was a homemaker

as it was during the tradition days. She had three brothers and one sister whom she immigrated

with to America. Grandma Rosa’s father was reassigned a lot due to his work, and this meant

that the family lived in different regions in Mexico including cities such as Sinaloa and Veracruz.

My great-great grandfather had significant influence back in Mexico. They lived in large villas

and had a good life.

The family migrated between the years of 1910 and 1920. During the period the family

had relocated twice between Mexico and America specifically to Texas. The main reason for the

migration was the search for greener pastures.

Mexican immigration during the late 1800s and early 1900s was widespread. The

immigration was however not a journey to permanent relocation. The distance and time it took to

travel between Mexico and Texas were so short that many Mexican citizens would move for

work in Texas and return home in short periods of time. This was because it was relatively more

comfortable to cross the border and the conditions in Mexico were significantly improving.

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 4

(Library of Congress, c 2018). For those who decided to relocate, the process to apply for

citizenship was considerably less tiresome. According to the U.S census conducted around 1930,

the number of Mexicans had tripled from 200,000 to 600,000 since the previous poll. A majority

the population was found in Texas and El-Paso.

The other reason which influences the move from was the depression which occurred in

Mexico. As an accountant, my great-grandfather was dramatically affected by the depression.

His career was facing threats, and therefore he decided to move the family to a more stable

economy.

The United States at the time was expanding rapidly. This expansion created a demand

for both inexperience cheap workers and professionals in many industries including agriculture,

mining, transportation and construction industries. Notably the railroads had begun to recruit

Mexican laborers massively.

In Texas, Grandma Rosa’s father got a position at a local manufacturing company. The

family was very fortunate as many Mexicans who migrated during that period were only offered

manual low paying jobs. The income status allowed the family to live a better than other

immigrants. They were able to enjoy eating better meals and living in better conditions than

others.

Like many other immigrants, they formed a community in Texas where they lived. The

community lived as a family. They celebrated many the Mexican festivals together and other

occasions as they would have if they were back in Mexico. The trend can be seen in many

immigrates from different nationalities. The immigrants from communities within the regions

they have settled. This provides them with a sense of belonging and a resemblance to the home

country they have left.

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 5

Mexican Immigration

Mexicans have been living in the United States even before the boundaries were marked.

The southern, western part of the United States was initially part of Mexico’s territory before the

areas acquired or taken by force in the U.S’s region. There were many wars on the boundary

between the United States and Mexico. Conflicts like the Texas War of 1836 and the Mexican

American War added Mexican land to the United States Territory.

A large percentage of the Mexican immigrants settled in Texas, California, Arizona and

New Mexico. Many of the immigrants chose developed cities and towns because the cities and

towns offered better employment opportunities to the foreigners (Library of Congress, c 2018).

In the early days of Mexican immigration, the late 1800s and the early 1900s, Mexican

immigration to the United States was in low numbers and was not highly monitored and

regulated by the U.S government. However, by 1930, the number was large enough that it had

caught the attention of Congress. They then developed and implemented laws that regulated and

restricted entry into the United States for foreigners including Mexicans.

However, even with this increase in regulatory restriction, large numbers of both legal

and illegal immigrants were witnessed. The main reason for this is the poor living conditions in

Mexico. A large percentage of the immigrant populations were searching for better living

conditions for them and their families. They came in search of any job they could find which

would provide an income that will help feed, and provide education for their loved ones. Others,

however, have nefarious reasons for migrating, including criminal activities such as human

trafficking and drug trading. The increase in drugs trafficking from Mexico has been one the

main reasons stricter penalties have been imposed on illegal immigrants.

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 6

The transition for the first generation

The family only stayed in Texas for a little over a year and migrated to Green Bay,

Wisconsin in 1912. They moved because they had received reports about Green Bay from close

relatives who have resettled in the area. It seemed like an excellent opportunity, so the family

decided to pack up from Texas to Wisconsin. My great-great grandfather found work in the

tanneries first as labor. He later gained ranks due to his experience in professional work and later

became an assistant accountant in one of the local factories.

My family was among the first Hispanic immigrants to move into the area. The available

work in those areas inspired the significant shift of the Mexicans to venture inwards into the

country. Many Mexicans moved in the area following the Mexican Revolution around 1910. The

Mexican immigrants settled in an area called Milwaukee and formed a community there, my

family included. Some of the Mexican immigrants from Texas also settled in the agricultural

lands where they worked on the farms as sugar beet harvesters, cucumber harvesters, and

vegetable farmers.

Employment was easy to get as there was high demand for cheap labor in the local

factories. My great uncles after attaining the working age joined other Mexicans in the tanneries.

By the point my great uncles were old enough, World War II was looming, and many workers

were needed to manufacture goods that were to provide supplies to European troops. (Berry-

Cabán & Cristóbal, 2009)

One of my great uncles became an agricultural farmer during World War II. He did this

because the government at that time had implemented a feeding program in Wisconsin Bracero

feeding program continued, increasing the demand for food. By 1948 the number of Mexican

Americans had increased to 2,600 (Berry-Cabán & Cristóbal, 2009).

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 7

Grandma Rosa in 1925 married from the Mexican farming community. My grandmother

had received some form of formal education from the local school. She could read and write in

English and Spanish. This was unusual for that period because women at the time were not a

priority to thus many did not receive a formal education. My family however valued education

since it was the main reason the family lived in better conditions compared to other Mexican

immigrants. This was the mindset of many professional immigrants as described by Portes and

Rumbaut in their book, ‘Immigrant America: A Portrait,’ 2012.

After World War II, the Bracero feeding program continued. Grandma Rosa’s husband

was able to remain employed on the farms under the plan. He was also promoted to a supervisory

position. Grandma Rosa worked in the factories in the same position until the time she retired.

By then they had three children: my grandmother, and her bothers.

Around the 1970s, the family moved back to the city. The family moved closer to my

mother’s relatives in the Mexican community in Milwaukee. By this point, my grandmother and

her siblings were married and had children of their own.

My grandmother married a local teacher. They lived in Wisconsin for a period. My

grandfather was initially from California. He wanted to be closer to his parents. My father’s

family, therefore, moved to California. My father spent part of his childhood in California. When

my grandfather died, my grandmother moved back to Green Bay to look for work and be closer

to her family.

My father lived in Green Bay until the time he finished high school. He joined a

University in California. He was able to spend time with his paternal family. He later met my

mother and started a family there.

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 8

Culture

The Mexican Culture is one that is rich and full of history. The first generation is the

defining influencer of how the family will carry their native culture. Interns of food, religion,

principles, and customs, it is the first generation which determines how and which traditions to

pass along to the coming generations.

i) Food

Regarding food, a study by Popkin and Udry (1998) illustrated that the first generation

tends to eat healthier as their diet consists of more traditional foods from their home country. The

second and third generations have an assimilated pattern of eating. They have adapted to eating

foods that are more American. Many only partake in Mexican meals in their home setting while

indulging in popular non-Hispanic or Americanized Hispanic foods while outside the

community.

This theory is evidenced by the type of foods the current generation eat and the kind of

food the older generations eat. My diet is very different from what my grandmother eats. For

many in the current generation, fast food is part of our staple diet. Foods like French fries and

burgers have become part of our daily meals. The older generation the value traditional foods

cooked using the traditional recipes which have been passed down from generation to generation.

The study found that the first generation consumes more proteins, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and

minerals such as calcium. The study also found that the number of childbirth for first generation

women was higher compared to second and third generation. The increased childbirth number

was because the first generation women had a healthier lifestyle regarding the food they ate and

the type of drinks they ingested.

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 9

ii) Education

The current generation has better educational opportunities than the past generation of my

father’s family. This is due to the following factors, the value of education has significantly

improved, access to quality education has been made easier and improved living conditions.

Grandma Rosa’s family was very fortunate as their father valued education. He saw fit to

educate his children as he had himself benefited from formal education. The importance of

education was one of the critical principles passed down through each generation. This ideology

is evidenced by the low number of high school dropouts in our family and a high number of

diploma and degree holders.

However, there is a trend emerging where the current generation is lazy and unambitious.

This observation had been noted by Schmid (2001) and Portes & Rumbaut (2012). Both studies

have determined that the third generation, i.e., the fourth generation in my case have higher

dropout rate compared to the previous generation. This translated to lower levels of drive and

ambition. This can be attributed to the fact that the past generation still experienced the struggles

to have afflicted them. The need to make a better living is still extreme in them, On the other

hand, the later generations only know of the improved life that has been provided to them. They

cannot relate to the sufferings of the previous generation and thus have no force to drive them.

The current generations who are lacking personal drive in my family have no reference point to

help to motivate them. This, therefore, means that they are have not yet found their purpose in

life and are in a sense wonderers looking for themselves.

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 10

iii) Socio-Economic Status

Due to the education level and income level of my father’s first generation, in the United

States of America, the family enjoyed a higher level of socio-economic status compared to other

Mexican immigrants. The fact that my great-grandfather received formal education and had

experience in a profession was a significant advantage for the family.

The family had also created a niche for themselves by gaining experience in various

fields from a yon age. My uncles were able to learn how the tanneries work and how to do

agricultural work. This allowed for a backup plan in case any one of the industries that they

worked should close down. The ability of the generations to sustain employment has been a

significant reason why the family has been able to thrive for this long.

The gender roles have also significantly shifted in the society as well as in our families.

In the first generation, the parts are still very traditional with the woman taking up the role of the

homemaker who takes care of the children, prepares the meals and ensure that the home is

conducive for the family while the man takes up the role of the provider and decision maker.

However, the roles have been shifting since the second generation. This is evidenced by the

ability of the women to absorb some of the traditional male roles such as getting jobs and

working alongside the man to provide for the family. This shifting of the function is a form of

assimilation into the American culture which places significant value on women’s independence

and self-reliance. The absorption of the American culture into the Mexican immigrants lives can

be seen in the future generation inform of gender interaction and mode of dressing.

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 11

iv) Religion

Like many Mexican families, my father’s family strictly follows the Christian- Catholic

religion. St.Willebrord Parish in Green Bay played a critical role in the religious development of

my family. The church was established in 1864 by the Dutch Catholic Church. My family was

part of the congregation every Sunday at the church.

Church has been for generations more than a religious outlet; it has been part of the

community. Growing up in a Mexican home meant, church every Sunday and afternoon lunch.

During the meal, the congregants would bring different meals which would be shared with the

community while people talked laughed and shared.

The sermons were always in English since the establishment of the church according to

the St. Willebrod’s website (2009). This meant that those who were attending had to understand

English to understand what was being preached. However, in 1981 the pastor at the time

introduced a Spanish sermon. This move, in my opinion, was meant as an acceptance of the

Spanish population in the congregation. It also symbolized the freedom of the Spanish

community to worship in a language which was acceptable to them. The move was also aimed at

meeting the needs of the Hispanic group which had been largely ignored the church and the

society in general. The church also encouraged its preachers and administrators to learn Spanish

to be able to connect more with the Hispanic people.

However, as the trend goes, the older generation appears to be more religious than the

younger ones. A large percentage of the younger generations in my family only go to church

when needed and are less spiritual than the older generation. The purpose of religion has

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 12

changed. For the younger generation. The older generation held on the belief because it provided

a sense of hope for a better time. It can be said that the younger generation has lost faith.

The church also provided an avenue outside the formal environment that different

cultures and ethnic groups can interact and connect on neutral ground. This was a critical aspect

since the interaction assisted in demystifying stereotypes about other ethnic group they

encountered. For instance, my grandmother first met an African American while in church. At

the time, the black community was represented as a savage, ruthless and simpleminded

community who were violent and brutal. However, as she interacted with the African American

congregant, she came to understand that not every popular opinion about a particular group in

society is correct. She would always encourage me to ‘judge a person, not their community.’

v) Customs and Traditions

The immigration and assimilation process has had a significant effect on the traditional

Mexican culture. Many aspects of traditional Mexican culture has had to be changed and had to

assimilate into the American culture to be acceptable. Some conventional occasions have had to

be eliminated due to their crushing nature with modern American beliefs. My grandmother used

to use traditional medication heals her illnesses. The knowledge was passed down from the older

family member. However, it is frown upon when traditional medicine is used in place of modern

medicine. It is vied as barbaric to treat illnesses using herbs and prayer instead of pharmaceutical

drugs. This has led to the loss of the knowledge of traditional medication.

Another aspect of culture that is changing is the acceptance of marrying outside the tribe.

During the earlier days, the community and the family did not allow this, but as assimilation

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 13

continued, the practice became the norm. My grandmother herself married outside the

community. Though the received backlash at the begging, the family later accepted it and moved

on. In the earlier days, it was considered a taboo to marry outside the community. The view was

that the community’s culture was being watered down. However, that opinion slowly shifted to a

point where it became acceptable.

The descendant of the Mexican immigrant has slowly forgotten traditional occasions such

as 'The Day of the Dead.' I remember during my childhood how the day was commemorated

with the respect it deserved. However, as time passes, the day is lost to memory and only

celebrated when within the community.

vi) Political affiliation

It is noted that the first generation immigrants have little concern for politics. The

subsequent generations, however, are more invested in the political affairs of America. The

immigrants select their parties in response to their need. The recent election showed that a large

percentage of the immigrants were for the Democratic Party.

The Hispanic community affiliation has been shifting according to their needs. The

community has favored parties which they feel addresses most of their needs and would

represent them best. The preference of the party is mainly influenced by age and gender. The

generations also have different opinions on which political party to choose from; this is because

the first generation immigrants have different needs form those who have been born the United

States. Politics is controversial affair which divide people. Many hold strong view points on

matters that affect them and the country. Many people are unable to compromise their views or

listen to other people’s opinions.

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 14

Challenges Faced

There were some significant challenges which the first generation faced, some of which

are still being met by their offspring’s. These challenges include

1. Negative Perceptions

The Mexicans were perceived as simpletons by the western community. They were given

the derogatory name, “Know- Nothings.” The terns took on a definition of economic and cultural

backwardness. This reflected in the work they were given which only consisted of low

administrative positions and manual positions. This led to the belief that the native-born white

Americans where more superior and other races, especially the Mexicans. This gave the whites

the freedom to do whatever they wanted to do since it was their country.

Grandma Rosa herself despite her ambition and her education remained in the same

administrative positions. She was left out when promotions were handed out because of her

ethnic background and the notion by her white employers that she could not be able to handle

tasks that demanded her to use her intellect. They would purposely give her menial functions

while required little skill and use that as a defense that she was unfit for a more substantial

position.

2. Maintenance of their Cultural Identity.

Cultural practices and customs are a big part of the Mexican identity. The ability to

maintain their characters while under pressure to assimilate and become the same as the society

surrounding them was a significant challenge facing the Mexican immigrants. The availability of

Mexican stores, foods and the maintenance of their names was a significant contributor to their

keeping of theirs indentity. The celebrations of some of the traditional Mexican festivals have

had to be altered and are now slightly more difficult than how they were initially in Mexico this

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 15

is because city prohibited and still prohibits the gathering of people in the streets by having

parades, or celebrations that occur for an extended amount of time. It had proven essential to

adjust the traditional ceremonies to be more feasible to the prevailing society

Changes to the family dynamics were and is a significant challenge to the family. The

extended family plays essential roles in the maturing of the family. The immigration robbed the

family of the presence of the love and care of uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers, and sisters.

Although communities were formed and were able simulated the presence of the extended

family, it is not the same. Also, the traditional gender roles had been eliminated. The low wages

and the absence of the man figure in the families force the women to take up some

responsibilities. To be able to survive the women had to become providers by engaging in

income generating activities such as getting jobs.

3. Language Barriers

The language barrier was a big problem for the first generation. The first generation had

to learn a new language so that they could be able to communicate with others people outside

their community. To avoid completely forgetting their language, many families have adapted to

speaking Spanish in their home and around their Spanish communities and speaking English

while in external society. However, due to the frequency in which English is spoken the ability

to speak Spanish has slightly changed and had also taken up the English pronunciation and

speech patterns (Portes and Rumbaut, 2012) The incorporation of some English words has also

been observed among the immigrants Spanish language which has led to less authentic sounding

Spanish. The Spanish American slang has also been developed by the subsequent generations of

the Mexican immigrants.

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 16

The success of Mexican Immigrant

There many success stories of Mexican immigrant whether first generation or descendant

generation. There are those who have achieved success in business by opening up companies

which have flourished, have invested in stocks and shares or have developed multimillion-dollar

ideas. There are those who have succeeded in achieving high scholarly status, publishing great

works and developing plans which have significant impacted the world. The community has

produced great politicians, actors, singers, artists, performers among many others successes.

Conclusion

The decision to immigrate to American due to various circumstances by my great-great

grandfather is a decision that has affected many lives cutting across different generations, not

only his direct descendants but also other people who have come into contact with them. My

family’s journey and experiences have made me who I am today. The lessons learned and passed

down through generations have been a great influence and have shaped the way I think and the

way and view the world.

My family is the most influential part of my life. In the culture grew up in, family not

only represent the people who share the same blood as you, the term also describes people who

you have chosen to walk with and share life with.

The Mexican community among other things adds culture to the American Society. They

infuse an array of music, food, belief, art, literature, and ethics which enrich the society. Each of

the immigrant's story should be told so that we can be able to learn from our mistakes and take

away key points that will help us improve ourselves and in turn enhance the society for the

greater good.

IMMIGRATION AUTOBIOGRAPHY 17

Reference

a) Berry-Cabán, Cristóbal S. (2009) Hispanics in Wisconsin: A Bibliography of Resource

Materials/Hispanos en Wisconsin: Una Bibliografía de Materiales de Recurso. Madison:

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1981. Wisconsin Historical Society.

b) Library of Congress. (c2018) A growing Community. [Online] Available at

https://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations

/immigration/mexican4.html. (Accessed 11

April 2018)

c) Popkin, B.M., & J.R. Udry. Adolescent obesity increases significantly in second and third

generation U.S. immigrants: The national longitudinal study of adolescent health. The

Journal of Nutrition, 28:4, 701-706.

d) Portes, A., & Rumbaut, R. G. (2012). Immigrant America: A portrait. Berkeley:

University of California Press. 4th edition,

e) Schmid, C. (2001). Educational Achievement, Language-Minority Students, and the New

Second Generation. Sociology of Education Vol. 74, 71-87.

f) Shih et al. “Perspective Taking: Reducing Prejudice Towards General Outgroups and

Specific Individuals.” Group Processes Intergroup Relations. 12.5 (2009): 565-577

g) St. Willebrord‟s Catholic Church. St. Willebrord Parish. 20 Sept. 2009. [Online]

Available at http://www.stwillys.org/ (Accessed 12

April 2018)

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