Puebla York
Personal Project
Background Information:
Puebla York is the nickname given to New York City as the streets soar with culture, music, and the presence of the Mexican Community, especially those from Puebla, Mexico, that add on to the city's life.
Today, the children of Mexican immigrants are paving the way as the “first” while staying true to their culture and becoming leaders.
Early Migration
Between 1942 and 1964, the Braceros Program was established to temporarily promote Mexican peasants to work manual labor in the United States.
The word Braceros comes from the Spanish word “brazo” which translates to “arm”. Braceros describe a person who works with their arms.
The Mexican Revolution caused poverty, casualties, and violent movements. Along with this, the land reform policies of President Cardenas that split large plantations to smaller ones caused huge unemployment rates.
Unemployment rates also hit the United States after entering the world conflict. It drove both countries to a labor agreement. Mexico would lend workers to help their agricultural sector of the economy, while Mexican workers earned a portion of their income.
In order for a Mexican peasant to be accepted to the government program, they must obtain a birth certificate, proof of military service completion, and a letter stating that he was not a member of a communally owned land. They would go through a medical examination that included an employment number hung from their neck, then stripped naked to be sprayed to eliminate lice and other ectoparasites. The aspiring bracero would finally be interviewed by both a Mexican and an American official and be photographed. The wait was unpredictable. Those who were accepted were transported in buses. While others were transported in cattle cars with no bathroom access or heat.
“Dehydration” Process
Wetbacks who were often rounded up is bus stops and pre-arranged were allowed to regularize their status in the U.S as braceros. They will then return to their employers with the right credentials and expectations. Many growers took part in the process to take advantage of Mexicans who were ready to work hard and help the agricultural economy.
The Bracero Workplace
- Although both countries agreed that there would be a set range for every bracero, the rate was set by the employer, who
- would often take advantage of their labor. Most of them would not know how much they would be paid a day.
- Many were exposed to harmful working conditions and dangerous machinery
- Living conditions were overcrowded and unsanitary.
The Lost Decade
Many Latin American countries failed to repay their debt to international lenders to fund development. The rise of interest rates by the U.S Federal Reserve made it impossible and expensive for them to repay their loans.
In 1982, Mexico declared it could not afford to repay the foreign debt. It sent Mexico into a recession and caused a negative growth in external exports. Many people were left without jobs which led millions into poverty.
It is important to take into account that Puebla is mostly rural, where agriculture is a big part of their income and food source. La decada perdida influenced many people to migrate tot he United States into places like New York, Chicago, and California.
The 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
This U.S immigration legislation, signed by President Ronald Reagan, aimed to help legalize some undocumented immigrants with new measures. This gave hope to many immigrants to maintain their jobs and place in the United States legally.
The legislation gave undocumented immigrants who were in the United States before January 1, 1982, to apply for a green card.
It also made it illegal to discriminate against workers based on their citizenship status.
Border enforcement measures were stricter in security.
The outcome of this new law made it possible for 2.7 million people to gain legal status.
Today
According to the “Migration Policy Institute”, Mexico made up the largest number of immigrant groups in the United States in 2023.
In the same year, New York state was a hotspot for U.S immigrants.
In 2023, there was an estimate of 90,600 Mexicans living in Queens out of 632,000 Latinos and Hispanics.
Mexican lndependece Day is huge in New York City. Many wave flags, dance around the closed blocks and blasts mexican music.
Chicano-owned businesses take a vital role in the economy, driving the U.S. economy and contributing to job creation and growth. According to the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Latino-owned businesses experienced a 36% increase in total revenue in the past 4 years. New York City is also known as Puebla York, where the Mexican culture sprinkles around the 5 boroughs and is home to many immigrants and Mexican Americans that aspire to never lose a touch of home. These demographics of people are often bashed by political figures and stereotypes, my project will highlight two Mexican businesses ranging from food, art, and, culture to celebrate Puebla York and Mexicans around New York City.
These are two of many businesess around New York City that embody Mexican culture and traditions, serving New Yorkers a taste of their homealand.