UNKNOWN HISTORY: DEPORTATION OF MEXICAN AMERICANS

WHEREAS, 1.2 million Mexican Americans were unconstitutionally deported to Mexico in the 1930s; and

WHEREAS, the education of Mexican-American children was disrupted by unconstitutional deportation; and

WHEREAS, Mexican-American children were denied the freedom and liberty normally accorded to U.S. citizens; and

WHEREAS, American society was denied the presence of Mexican-American citizens and their contributions; and

WHEREAS, this egregious act in U.S. history has largely gone unnoticed, and the stories of these deportees have been largely unheard:

RESOLVED, that the AFT support legislation for the formation of a commission to study the issue of the deportation of 1.2 million Mexican Americans in the 1930s. [Executive Council, February 2005]