Figure 1.--Here we see a Mexican American mother and her two children in the early-1950s, probably in the 1950s. Mexican Americans seem increasinly well integrted ino the American mainstream by his time. The mother's dress could have been worn in America or Mexico. The boy is wearing very Americn bib-front overalls. The youger child is wearing rompers, again a not very common in Mexico.

The early United States was largely populated by Protestants from Britain along with a relatively small number of other Europeans. Besides the British, the other manor national group were the Germans with numbers increasing after the failed 1848 revolutions. Religion at the time was much more important than it is today, so few Catholics immigrated to the United States. Only one early state had a substantial Catholic population--Maryland. This did no begin to change until desperate and starving Irish peasants began to emigrate to the still largely Protestant United States (1840s). Mexico bordered the United States, by few Mexicans . emigrated to the United Sates. In fact few Mexicans moved into their northern territories, in part because the Native Americans were largely hostile and the land was less productive than a band of very productive land crossing over Mexico City and the Central Valley. The United Sates seized what was then Northern Mexico as a result of the Mexican-American War (1846-48). The Mexican population in this area s relatively small and they were given the option of remaining and becoming American citizens or going south tho Mexico. Many remained and they were the first Latin Americans to become American citizens in any number. Over time small numbers of Mexicans crossed the border, mostly illegal. Efforts like the Brazero program offered job opportunities in the United States (1942-64). Large scale emigration did not begin until the United sates reformed its immigration policy (1965). As a result, substantial Mexican immigration both legal and illegal began. As a result, when President Biden opened the southern border, previous migration and a strong Mexican economy meant that Mexicans were not the dominant national group. Especially important was the Northern Triangle--three small counties in Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador). Millions of people have left the Northern Triangle countries. This began the U.S. 1960s immigration reforms, with many fleeing poverty, violence, and other hardships, but by far the biggest lure is jobs that pay hugely more than what is available in Central America, especially the Northern Triangle. This only escalated when President Biden opened the Southern Border (2021) which President Trump had managed to secure (2017-21). While the Northern Triangle is particularly notable, large numbers of migrants from other Latin American countries have also entered the United States since the 1965 immigration reforms. .

Guatemala

Guatemala is one of the three Northern Triangle countries. There was little immigration to the United States until the American 1960s immigration reforms. Since then a very substantial part of the Guatemalan population has immigrated to the United States, primarily seeking jobs paying something like ten times more than available in Central America. Such an inducement is a powerful draw that could not be stopped by a long and poorly enforced border. Guatemalan immigration to the United States has increased significantly after the American immigration reforms (1965). The immigration levels have been driven by factors like civil war, economic hardship, and natural disasters, but by far the most powerful lure is jobs that pay much more in the United States than in Central America. Some 1.3 million Guatemalan immigrants are believed to reside in the United States (2023). This is probably a low estimate given the large numbers of undocumented people who entered after President Biden opened the southern border. Given the Guatemalan population of 18 million, the level of Guatemalans in America is rapidly approaching 10 percent of the population U.S., making them one of the fastest-growing Central American groups. While small numbers of Guatemalans migrated to the United States in the 1930s and 40s, the first significant influx began after the U.S. immigration reforms (1965). Numbers rapidly increased in the 1970s and 80s. The Guatemalan Civil War (1960-1996), particularly its impact on indigenous communities, led many to flee the violence. Earthquakes and hurricanes, such as a powerful earthquake (1976) and Hurricane Stan (2005), displaced thousands, prompting migration in search of better living conditions. That said the most significant draw is te prosperous American economy and the availability of job that pay 10 times or more than what is available in Guatemala. Guatemalan immigrants have been one of the fastest-growing Central American groups in the United States since 2010 and this was hugely magnified when President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas opened the southern border (2021). Reports suggest that there has been a 50 percent increase (between 2010 and 2023). 【Migration Policy Institute】 Guatemalans have established substantial communities Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, and other large American cities. While some enter legally through family-based petitions and sponsorship, a significant portion of Guatemalan immigrants are illegal and undocumented, especially President Biden opened the border. Democratic politicians like to point to issues like agricultural stress, violence, and climate change, by far the major root cause are the availability of decent paying jobs in the United States. Guatemalan immigrants send significant remittances back home, which have become a crucial part of the Guatemalan economy.

Honduras

Honduras is another of the Northern Triangle countries. U.S. immigration has been shaped lrgely by economic facors, byt natural disasters and shifting American migration policies are also imprtant. There was very little Honduran mifration to the United States in the 19th an fist half of the 20th century. This was primarily because poor Hindurans were largely unawarte of the opporunities abailable and largely unwelcoming U.S. policies. The immigration reforms restrictd immigration and gave priority to Europeans. This began to change after World War II (1950s). It was primarily tied to the banana trade and U.S. business interests in Honduras. Many of the first Himduran immigants settled in New Orleans, a major banana port, and worked in agriculture or service industries. Migration remained modest and legal. This began to change with the U.S. immigration reforms (1965). This reduced restrictions on non-Europen migrants. Honduran immigration continued to mostly involve employment or family connections. A major event was Hurricane Mitch (1998). Honduras was devastated, leaving many Honduns in desperate circumstances and the Hinduran Government unable to offer mionimal support, triggering a surge in migration. The United States granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Hondurans, providing the opportunity tp live and work legally in America. The TPS program offered lifeline for over 70,000 desprte Hondurans, many of whom then built lives in the United States over tyhree decades. Illegal mifration also increased an Honduran communities begn to develop and couuld offere support. Democratic politicins in he United States promote the narrative that ciome, violemce, and political instabitity are the root cause. In fact, whiche these are certinly not absent, the primary cause of the migrant flow from Hinduras is economic. Job opportunitiesre limited in Honduras. And Honduans including illegal migrnts can eily earn ten times or more in the United States than they can in Honduras. The flow was, however, limited, pincipally because Mexico restricted Honduran entry fearing Hindurns would compete with nationls for jobs. All of this was exploded by President Biden when he opened the southern border (2021). Undocumnted Hondurans flooed in to the United States in record numbers. Mexico allowed this o happen as long as the U.S. birder was open. Immigant caravans moved freely though Mexico and Hondursns (along with Guatemalans and Salvaoans) were a substantial part of this flow.

Mexico

Spain's colonial regime discouraged the growth of commerce and industry. Spanish colonies were to ship raw materials to the mother country and not develop industries that might compete with the mother country. The Inquisition also stifled not only divergent religious ideas, but also free thinking in general, including political, scientific, and social ideas as well. As a result, the Spanish colonies languished behind the English colonies to the north. The Spanish Government restricted political power to native-born Spaniards. As Criollos grew in numbers, they resented exclusion from political power. Unlike the English colonies, there were no colonial legislatures. The great bulk of the population, the Mexicans of Native American or Mestizo origins were denied not only political power, but suffered from an uneven distribution of land and wealth. As in the rest of the Spanish Empire, the criollos revolted against Spain. Mexico achieved its independence (1821). This put the Criollos in power, but did little to provide economic opportunity to Native Americans and the increasingly large mestizo population. Regional differences resulted in the loss of Texas (1836). Mexico fell increasingly behind its northern neighbor which at the time of the Mexican American War (1846-48) had begun to industrialize. The better armed and led forces, defeated the Mexican forces and Mexico was forced to cede the northern part of the country. Mexicans living in the area became American citizens unless they moved south. The Mexican population in what became the American Southwest was relatively small and the Mexican-American population was highly regional and relatively small. Wealthy Mexicans lost their land when American courts refused to recognize Spanish land grants. Porfirio Díaz and the Cientificos made some progress in modernizing Mexico's infrastructure, but did not address to growing inequities in Mexican life. This led to the Mexican Revolution (1910-20). The turmoil in Mexico led some Mexicans to flee across the border. The Partido Revolucionario Institutional (PRI) established an authoritarian regime with rigged elections. PRI leaders attempted to both modernize Mexico and address the social inequities. The PRI mixture of crony capitalism, socialism, nationalism, and popularism proved to be a poor substitute for free market capitalism. And Mexico fell increasingly behind the United States and Canada. After World War II, the growing wage disparities between Mexico and America resulted in a steady flow of largely illegal immigration north across the virtually wide open border.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua is not part of the Northern Triangle. While there are 'relatively few' immigrants from Nicaragua entering the United States, it's important to note that Nicaraguans do make up a significant population of immigrants, even if they are not the largest group from the region. Here are the key factors influencing Nicaraguan emigration patterns. One factor that results in a smaller flow of Nicaraguan emigration to the Unite States is Nicaragua's geographic location especially its border with Costa Rica, a relatively prosperous Central American country with a higher standard of living and better-paying job opportunities than available in in Nicaragua. Costa Rica also offers a lower-risk destination for economic migrants compared to the more distant United States and a relatively relaxed immigration policy. A substantial community of Nicaraguan expatriates already resides in Costa Rica, making possible further migration and employment opportunities for new arrivals. Costa Rica is also a country with a similar culture and is Spanish-speaking. Significant waves of Nicaraguan emigration to the United States did occur during and after the Sandinista Revolution (1979) due to political instability and civil unrest, driving many to seek refuge. Poverty, underemployment, and economic instability in Nicaragua continue to drive migration, with many seeking better economic prospects abroad. Recent years have seen increased migration due to natural disasters and political unrest, compelling individuals to escape deteriorating economic conditions. Changes in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for Nicaraguans have impacted their ability to remain in the US, with fluctuations in policy and litigation affecting their immigration status. Increased border control efforts and a focus on expulsions under Title 42 (and potentially Title 8) can make it more difficult for Nicaraguans to successfully migrate to the United States. Agreements with Mexico to accept Nicaraguans expelled under Title 42 can limit their ability to reach the US border. Compared to other countries in the region, violent drug trafficking arrived later in Nicaragua and was more quickly marginalized, which might have reduced one potential driver of migration. The Nicaraguan government's long history of maintaining tight controls over the population through police and neighborhood watch committees may also play a role in shaping migration patterns. The presence of family ties in Costa Rica and the US influences migration decisions, with strong networks facilitating the process. In summary, while Nicaraguan emigration is influenced by a combination of political and economic factors, the proximity of and opportunities in Costa Rica, along with fluctuating US immigration policies, contribute to shaping the specific patterns of Nicaraguan migration, including the destination choices of many emigrants.

(El) Salvador

Sources

Migration Policy Institute.

Created: 2:07 AM 7/9/2025
Last updated: 3:07 AM 7/11/2025