In the current Immigration Debate and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo [View All]

The Mexican American War was an aggressive war of choice, and one of the worst crimes was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending America's war of aggression against Hispanic people, and the subsequent breach of its terms and conditions as to language rights and freedom of movement rights of the conquered people (Articles VIII and IX of the Treaty)."

That was the treaty that ended the Mexican American War. And in the current flack about "illegals" and "guest workers" and "English only" and the "Minute men" etc -- Articles VIII and IX of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo gives the Hispanics who were living in the US at the time of ratification --- and their descendants --- US citizenship unless they renounced it affirmatively.

The treat has also been interpreted to say that they and their descendants can cross and re-cross the border as often as they want -- and live on either side of the border - without losing their US citizenship. (Yes - they can be citizens of both the US and Mexico)

Let's get serious - who are they and their descendants? Who knows? For over a hundred years (except during the dust bowl days) - "Mexicans" (who may have been US citizens?) crossed and recrossed a relatively porous border to labor on our farms. With the end of slavery they were cheap labor.

What is the real (DNA and genealogy) status of the 11 million "illegal immigrant" Mexicans in the US (whose ancestors may well have lived here at the time of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo - giving them citizenship under the Treaty) as well as another 20 million - 40 million Mexicans in Mexican border states (whose ancestors also may well have lived here at the time of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, also giving them US citizenship).

Are we wrongfully and illegally keeping US citizens out?

Is "English Only" a violation of the rights of putative US citizens.

How many of the "Illegal Immigrants" are really "Illegal Immigrants" and how many have citizenship under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

I don't know the answer -- but the case is going to come before the courts (probably before several courts) sooner rather then later.