Image: Photoprint (1955) by an unknown photographer showing Mexican-American migrant farm workers harvesting asparagus near Owatonna, Minnesota.
Mexican Immigration in the Twin Cities
Since World War I, Mexicans have immigrated to the United States for the promise of work and safety. In Minnesota, Mexican immigrants first found jobs in the agricultural industries–specifically harvesting sugar beets–often near the Red River and Minnesota River valleys. In the second half of the 20th century, their presence in the state grew especially on the West Side of St. Paul. Organizations such as Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church and Neighborhood House allowed the Mexican-American community to flourish, bringing together and supporting immigrants and refugees in the area. Our Lady of Guadalupe began as a Mexican mission in 1931 and has become a central space for Mexican residents to gather and connect. The non-profit established in 1897, Neighborhood House, has also supported thousands of people across St. Paul, assisting refugees and immigrants with food, housing, education and more from over 50 different cultural backgrounds and nationalities.
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