BORDER HISTORY
Some key events in the history of the U.S./Mexico Border
In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo establishes the border between Mexico and the U.S.
In 1853, the Gadsden Purchase is signed in Mexico City by the US Minister to Mexico (James
Gadsden) and General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana, President of Mexico. The treaty gives the
US claim to approximately 29,000 square miles of land in what is now southern New Mexico and
Arizona. The land is thought to be strategically located for railroad construction.
In 1900, fewer than 100,000 people live along the border between Mexico and the U.S. Compare
this to the 7 million inhabitants in borderlands communities in 1980 and more than 10 million
inhabitants today.
Between 1918 and 1933, prohibition happens in the US. There is a great increase in the population
along the border, related to the trafficking of illegal goods.
Between 1917 and 1919, WW1 causes an increase in Mexican immigration to the US to make up
for the lack of an available labor force. After the war, the great debate about migration continues
to this day.
Between 1933 and 1940, the economy enters the Great Depression. The Mexican government,
recognizes the growing importance of the border for its national economy-- it also becomes
aware of an impending crisis: the combination of low commercial activity and continual rapid
increases in population. The first economic development programs are created in the borderlands,
bases on industrialization models and promotion of greater interdependence between the US and
Mexico. The high unemployment rate in the US eliminates the necessity for Mexican labor and
as a result, there are massive deportations during this era.
From 1948 to 1949, programs to expand agricultural programs with irrigation increase. These are
primarily located in the northern part of Mexico, in the states of Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Baja
California and Chihuahua. In the U.S., extensive agricultural development begins in Southern
California. Both trends stimulate the economic growth and the population in the borderlands.
From 1942 to 1964, the braceros program is negotiated and implemented by the U.S. and Mexico.
The government of the U.S. acknowledged the need for Mexican labor, particularly in agriculture.
The program allows for temporary legal migration. It continues after the war because large
cultivators and growing agribusiness enterprises need continued access to cheap and more
"flexible" labor ( little union activity and poorly respected workplace rights). The program is
suspended in 1964 due to technological advances in the agricultural sector and the growing
power and presence of the United Farm Workers movement fighting for rights, credibility and power.
In 1961 the Mexican government creates the National Border Program ( PRONAF, Programa National
Fronterizo) in order to stimulate the economy via commercial and industrial development. This is
accomplished largely through a focus on enhancing Mexico's infrastructure. Even so,
unemployment continues to rise, especially with the repatriation of the braceros in 1964. The
PRONAF program fails.
In 1965, the Mexican government creates the Program for the Industrialization of the Border
(PIF, Programa de Industrialization Fronteriza) to try again to promote industrialization and increase
employment. The birth of the maquiladora is a result of the program. Only along the border in
designated free trade zones are foreign businesses allowed land ownership, 100% control, with
an exemption from tariffs and taxes. Maquiladoras enjoy other exemptions from legal barriers to
investment and commerce, including considerable freedom from environmental restrictions.
Employment increases as a result and the population also expands. Simultaneously, on the US side
of the border the population in the Southwest grows as people migrate to the sun belt.
In 1982, the debt crisis explodes and general economic crisis hits Mexico. Later the crisis is
extended to all of Latin America. The government of President Miguel de la Madrid implements
austerity and structural adjustment programs.
By 1986, the US implements the Immigration Reform and Control Act aimed at restricting illegal
immigration. It imposes sanctions on employers of undocumented immigrants and legalizes more
than 3 million undocumented immigrants living in the US through a general amnesty program.
2.3 million of those legalized are Mexican citizens.
in 1987, President Salinas de Gortari is elected in Mexico and implements a great number of neo-
liberal reforms. Many of these are in preparation for NAFTA and are conditions of Mexico's
participation in the free trade agreement. Many economic policies that were formerly exclusive
to the borderlands are extended to all of Mexico.
On January 1, 1994, NAFTA becomes law in Mexico, the US and Canada. The Zapatistas start their
extended uprising on the same date, which is no coincidence.
In 2000, Vicente Fox takes over as the new President of Mexico. He is the first non-PRI president
in over 70 years. However, the neoliberal model continues under Fox's presidency, much as it has
been in the previous three administrations.
In 2004, Fox proposes the Plan Puebla Panama to extend the model of foreign investment
(maquiladores) to a corridor of seven southern states in Mexico including Campeche, Guerrero,
Oaxaca, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz and Yucatan.) The plan also aims to reach
into Central and South America eventually. Fox promotes Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)
an additional free trade agreement that will include the entire hemisphere, except for Cuba.
Negotiations between Presidents Fox and George Bush regarding a possible new temporary worker
program are still on hold having been postponed by the events of 9-11-2001. Border security
is increased. (compiled by staff at Borderlinks)
