Border Towns 1900-1930

Chapter 3

  There were many reasons immigrants came into the US in the early twentieth century from seeking protection to wanting better wages. However, there were many social aspects regarding immigration and border crossing in the early twentieth century. Looking at two major border towns in America it is clear that coming into the US was not what many believed it would be for them. As noted, the US had begun to practice some isolationist policies and while it did not prevent immigrants from entering it did not change American citizens sentiments. El Paso is a part of Texas and while on the very edge it was still engaged in Jim Crow practices. Within border towns deportation was occurring sometimes in large quantity both voluntarily and involuntarily. Immigrants faced many social struggles coming to America, but they did not have many options which is what shaped the dynamics at the border towns. Both male and female immigrants were often at the mercy of a racist unwelcoming society, but they were able to build communities and relationships between themselves.

 

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