By Kahleah P. Paris, History Major, Class of 2027

Herlinda Sanchez’s story begins in Mexico, where she spent her early years before immigrating to the United States in 1928. Her reason for immigrating is unknown, but like many other Mexican migrants of the time, her journey was likely driven by a combination of economic hardship and the search for better opportunities. By 1930, she had settled in Lane County, Oregon, where census records show she lived with her husband, Miguel Sanchez, and their newborn daughter, also named Herlinda. Miguel worked on the railroad, which was a common occupation for Mexican laborers during this period. Their home was located near the railroad tracks, in company-provided housing that allowed workers to be close to their homes. Life in these railroad communities was often described as a difficult living experience, as they had to endure long hours, low wages, and discrimination from white individuals.

Herlinda and Miguel Sanchez came to Eugene in 1928 in search of construction or maintenance jobs in the railroad industry. Sullivan, West. “Electric Railway Origins.” Willamette Heritage Center, 2006. https://www.willametteheritage.org/electric-railway-origins/#.

However, this era was also defined by strong familial networks and resilience. Over the next decade, Herlinda’s family grew, with the birth of another daughter and the arrival of her sister, further strengthening the familial connections that were essential for survival in an unfamiliar, hostile environment.

Herlinda’s migration story is part of a much larger pattern of Mexican migration to the United States during the early 20th century. The Mexican Revolution (1910–1920) spurred significant migration into the United States, as the decade-long civil war claimed an estimated one to two million lives and created economic, political, and social chaos within Mexico. Securing stable employment and supporting a family during this period was incredibly difficult, driving many individuals to desperately seek new opportunities up North. Additionally,  following the Cristero Revolt (1926–1929), many Mexican families continued to seek stability and economic opportunities in the United States. Vicki Ruiz, in From Out of the Shadows, describes that the United States was seen as a “safety valve” for Mexicanos seeking to escape their war-torn country.

Immigrants saw the United States as a place of security and employment opportunities. U.S. industries, particularly railroads, relied heavily on Mexican labor, creating a demand that drew many individuals north across the border.

However, this period also saw an increase in anti-Mexican sentiment, leading to discriminatory policies and mass deportations, especially during the Great Depression. The 1930s Mexican Repatriation forcibly uprooted or pressured thousands of Mexicans and Mexican Americans to return to Mexico, regardless of their legal status. Historian Ana Minian writes, “Mexican migrants and Mexican Americans were simultaneously blamed for taking jobs from U.S. citizens and, paradoxically, for living off public welfare.” As a result of this scapegoating by Americans, Mexican immigrant families lived in constant fear of sudden displacement, unsure if they would be uprooted from the lives they sacrificed everything to have.

Despite these systemic challenges, many Mexican immigrants, including Herlinda and her family, managed to remain in the United States. Through resilience and perseverance, they navigated discrimination and economic hardship and established deep roots in places like Eugene, Oregon. 

Returning to Herlinda’s story, the 1940 Census offers a glimpse into the evolving dynamics of her household. During this time, she welcomed another daughter, Herminia. To learn more about Herminia “MiMi” Sanchez’s journey, my colleague Maya Baer explores her story in depth. Additionally, the presence of her sister, Mary, in the household highlights the importance of family networking among Mexican immigrants. Ruiz emphasizes that Mexican women played crucial roles in sustaining households through labor, often forming strong ties to navigate hardship. She writes that, “‘Segregation, working class status, and the geographic mobility of Mexican men and women reinforced their identity as Mexicans… and reaffirmed the need to rely on each other in an Anglo-dominated society’”. Given the time railroad workers had to put into their jobs, Herlinda and her sister likely supported each other through childcare and domestic work. 

Statistical data from the 1940 Census reveals that the Sanchez family in Lane County had a larger household than other families in their district, reflecting both cultural values and economic necessity. Among the ten families listed on the 1940 Census sheet for District 20-4, the Sanchez family was the only one to include an extended relative in their household which was her sister, Mary Rangel. This multigenerational living arrangement not only enforced strong familial bonds but also served as a strategy for financial stability and mutual support during a time of economic uncertainty.

Herlinda remained an “alien” despite over a decade in Oregon, which raises several questions about the barriers she faced in acquiring U.S. citizenship. Cybelle Fox and Irene Bloemraad, note in Beyond ‘White by Law’, that naturalization laws at the time were restrictive, especially for Mexican immigrants, who were often discouraged from applying due to literacy requirements and racial prejudice. Herlinda’s continued status as an alien after residing in the United States for ten years suggests she may have faced some of these challenges. 

By examining Herlinda Sanchez’s story, we gain valuable insights into the experiences of Mexican immigrant women and the challenges they faced in Lane County during the 1930s and 40s. Her story highlights the economic and legal barriers that shaped the lives of many Mexican immigrants, while also emphasizing the strength of family networks in overcoming these obstacles.

A 1957 death certificate documenting the cause and date of Herlinda Sanchez’s passing. Oregon State Archives; Salem, Oregon; Oregon, Death Records, 1864-1967

In 1957, at the age of 56, Herlinda passed away from a stroke, leaving behind her husband, Miguel, and two daughters, Herlinda and Herminia. Her passing marked the loss of a devoted wife and mother who had endured immense hardships to build a life for her family in the United States. Despite navigating economic struggles and discrimination as a Mexican immigrant, Herlinda remained resilient, contributing to her community and ensuring a better future for her children. Her legacy, whether through her descendants or the broader contributions of Mexican railroad worker wives, remains an essential part of Lane County’s history. Her story urges us to recognize the long-standing contributions of Mexican workers to Oregon’s growing economy and to acknowledge the struggles they endured in pursuit of a better life.

Bibliography 

Driscoll de Alvarado, Barbara. The tracks north: The railroad bracero program of World War II. Austin, Tex: CMAS Books, Center for Mexican American Studies, University of Texas at Austin, 1999. 

Fox, Cybelle, and Irene Bloemraad. “Beyond “White by Law”: Explaining the Gulf in Citizenship Acquisition between Mexican and European Immigrants, 1930.” Social Forces 94, no. 1 (2015): 181-207. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/589047.

Ruíz, Vicki. From out of the shadows: Mexican women in Twentieth-century America. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2008. 

Sullivan, West. “Electric Railway Origins.” Willamette Heritage Center, 2006. https://www.willametteheritage.org/electric-railway-origins/#.

Minian, Ana. “1930s: Repatriation of Mexicans .” Department of History, June 25, 2020. https://history.stanford.edu/news/1930s-repatriation-mexicans-ana-minian. 

Year: 1930; Census Place: Bethel, Lane, Oregon; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0005; FHL microfilm: 2341680 

Year: 1940; Census Place: Bethel, Lane, Oregon; Roll: m-t0627-03368; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 20-4