Debating American Identity: Southwestern Statehood and Mexican Immigration

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In the early 1900s, prominent figures like Teddy Roosevelt, New Mexico governors Miguel Antonio Otero and Octaviano Larrazolo, and Arizona legislator Carl Hayden, alongside lesser-known individuals, shaped diverse views on American identity. Their writings and speeches played a crucial role in defining what it meant to be American during a dynamic era marked by significant change. Central to these debates were questions about the essence of American identity, the political boundaries of the United States, and the role of cultural diversity. Linda C. Noel explores key events such as Arizona and New Mexico's proposed statehood, the establishment of a temporary worker program during World War I, 1920s immigration restrictions, and the early 1930s repatriation of immigrants. She reveals how Americans debated the integration of newcomers, considering factors like assimilation, pluralism, and marginalization, as well as the impact of class, race, and culture on identity. Noel highlights the influence of people of Mexican descent in shaping statehood and immigration policies, illustrating how their aspirations and the demands of others affected national discussions. This examination of early twentieth-century debates on statehood and immigration provides valuable insights into contemporary citizenship issues.