Many people know that Mexicans are the largest group immigrants in America. Their community makes up a quarter of all foreigners in the United States. This raises the question: how did the Americans themselves accept them? Read today in USA.ONE:
How do the States treat immigrants from Mexico
How did it all begin and how are things now?
The history of Mexican immigration to the United States 
Mexican immigration to the United States has a long history spanning several decades. It is associated with various social, economic and political factors. At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Mexican immigration to the United States was associated with industrial development in the southern United States and the economic crisis in Mexico.
Many Mexicans crossed the border to work in agriculture, railroad construction, and mining and other industries where non-performing qualifications were required.
Of course, then the relationship between Americans and Mexicans required significant elaboration: the latter often faced discrimination and prejudice. Although, at the moment, Mexico is generally considered a country with prohibitive crime. And many immigrants are now leaving precisely from disadvantaged areas.
Then the Great Depression happened. In the 1930s, the United States implemented a program to deport Mexicans known as the Mexican Repatriation Act. About half a million Mexicans and Mexican-Americans were deported from the United States, causing significant interruptions in Mexican immigration for several years.
During and after World War II, the United States needed labor to rebuild its economy, and many Mexicans came to the country through marriage programs and temporary work visa programs such as the Marriage and Children program. This contributed to the second wave of Mexican immigration. Work immigration programs allowed Mexicans to officially settle in the United States.
Even now, after so many years, this nation is often associated with hard work. And even in those days, this attitude towards work really amazed Americans. Not right away, of course. At first, their arrival was perceived negatively: the Americans showed quite a lot of aggression and discontent. But after a while they realized that Mexicans really love and are ready to work. Therefore, many gladly accepted them into their fields of activity and helped them settle in a new place.
But there have been cases where Mexicans who came to work in agriculture or railroad construction faced low wages, poor working and housing conditions, and a lack of worker rights protections. They were subject to exploitation and were often on the lower rungs of the social ladder.
One of the key moments that influenced the change in attitude was the civil rights movement in the 1960s. This movement raised issues of racial and ethnic discrimination and included the fight for the rights of Mexicans and other minorities. Also in the 1960s, Mexican immigration began to increase as the United States needed labor in construction, agriculture, and other industries. This period was characterized by general immigration reform, which reduced restrictions on the entry of Mexicans.
In 1986, the Immigration Reform and Illegal Immigration Control Act was passed, which legalized illegal immigrants, including many Mexicans, and tightened controls on illegal immigration.
In the following decades, Mexican immigration to the United States continued to grow. Many Mexicans are looking for better economic opportunities and stable jobs in the United States. They work in a variety of industries, including agriculture, construction, hospitality, manufacturing and services.
However, Mexican immigration has also become a focus of political and social debate in the United States. Issues of border security, illegal immigration, and immigration reform have become the subject of debate and controversy.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, efforts were made to tighten controls on illegal immigration. In 2006, the Secure Fence Act was passed, which included the construction of a fence on the border with Mexico. In subsequent years, other steps were taken to strengthen border security and curb illegal immigration.
At the same time, in 2012, the Obama administration introduced the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program, which provided temporary protection from deportation to young illegal immigrants who arrived in the United States as children. DACA has been the subject of controversy and debate, and its status is still uncertain.
Immigration policy and reform remain important topics in the United States. Not only the issue of legalizing illegal immigrants is being discussed, but also reform of the entire immigration system, including the creation of mechanisms for legal immigration and simplification of the process of obtaining citizenship.
Attitude of Americans towards Mexicans in the USA 
Now the situation has changed a lot, and many Mexicans work in the United States in highly skilled positions, get an education and speak English. After so many years of “grinding in,” Americans have accepted their nation and treat them with deep respect. Americans consider hard work to be one of the key traits of the Mexican nation. And it is precisely because of this that they are especially valued in various fields of activity throughout America. The desire to work here is really highly valued.
Some Americans have positive views of Mexican culture and Mexican immigrants. They value their contributions to the US economy, culture and society. Mexican cuisine, music, traditions and art are popular among many Americans. Some Americans also recognize the difficulties and obstacles Mexicans face and advocate for more compassionate and fair immigration policies.
However, negative attitudes and prejudices toward Mexicans also exist. Some Americans may experience xenophobia, racism, or mistrust of Mexican immigrants. Discrimination, stereotyping and hostility may occur. This may manifest itself in interpersonal relationships, behavior in the workplace, political debates, or public opinion.
It is important to note that attitudes toward Mexicans in the United States are heterogeneous and can vary significantly in different regions and among different social groups. Many Americans support and celebrate the diversity and cultural heritage of the Mexican community, while others may have more negative views of Mexican immigrants.
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