ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Mexican Repatriation

The Mexican repatriation was a time in history when many Mexicans who were living in the United States were forcibly sent back to Mexico. This happened during the 1930s when the United States was going through the Great Depression. Many people in the United States were struggling to find work and make ends meet.

At the same time, there were many people in Mexico who wanted to come to the United States to find work. However, the United States government felt that there were too many people in the country already and didn't want more people coming in. To deal with this, they decided to send many of the Mexicans who were already in the United States back to Mexico.

This was done in a very harsh way. People were often rounded up by the police or immigration officials and forced to leave their homes and families behind. Many of these people had lived in the United States for many years and had families and friends there.

The reasons for this repatriation were not just economic, but also driven by anti-Mexican sentiment and racial prejudices. The government and many American citizens believed that the Mexicans were taking jobs away from Americans and that they were a burden on the country.

The Mexican repatriation was a very sad and difficult time for many families. Many people lost their homes, their jobs, and the lives they had built in the United States. It is a reminder of the harm that can be caused when we don't treat people with compassion and respect, regardless of their country of origin.