Mexican American colonization during the nineteenth century : a history of the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands /

In the aftermath of the Mexican War (1846-1848), the borderlands were the chosen territory for the colonization endeavors of the Mexican government for repatriated Mexicans. The Mexicanos de afuera, caught up in the midst of US land acquisition in northern Mexico, created around 60 colonies on the frontier. Enveloped by legislation and nationalistic discourses but not funded accordingly, the settlements were not the result of humanitarian concerns espoused by Mexican politicians. Pragmatism and the desire to create a buffer against Apache raids and the perennial anxiety of more territorial loss prodded the government to encourage colonization. Hernandez's solid research reveals the substantial connections between the emigres of the second half the 19th century and the present. Mexican nationals have long derided those compatriots who cross the border and hence purportedly Americanize. Notwithstanding, Mexican politicians welcome remittances, embrace binational community funded projects, and, of late, hail partisan support. Hernandez (Univ. of Massachusetts) carefully and strenuously researched multiple archives in Mexico and the US and should be praised for his attention to municipal records in northern Mexico. Illustrations and photographs. Suggested for immigration scholars, lawyers, and immigrants' rights advocates. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division graduates and above. M. S. Arbelaez University of Nebraska at Omaha