Explore histories of migration, citizenship and belonging in Germany and the U.S. over the centuries.
1848
80,000 Mexicans Become U.S. Citizens
After the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the conflict, making Mexico cede around 525,000 square miles to the U.S., significantly altering the border. This "Mexican Cession" impacted over 100,000 Mexicans, giving them a year to decide their citizenship. Around 80,000 chose U.S. citizenship. Mexicans of European descent were granted voting rights immediately, while Indigenous Mexicans couldn’t access U.S. citizenship until the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. As the oldest standing U.S.-Mexico treaty, it forged enduring inequalities influencing both nations' relations and Mexico's evolution.
We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us!
A photograph of the immigrant freedom marches and rallies that brought thousands into the streets across New York City on International Workers Day, May 1, 2008.
Michael Gould-Wartofsky
