Discussions surrounding the U.S. border wall seem to echo historical claims, particularly regarding the 1830s when a significant portion of the American Southwest was under Mexican governance. Recently, Gerald Fernandez Nogelia expressed in Mexican Spanish concerning attacks on U.S. federal immigrants in Los Angeles.
Some critics, including Stephen Miller, an advisor to Trump, have referred to situations where individuals wave the Mexican flag as proof of what they termed “Occupational Territories.” Nogelia mentioned that during a conversation in 2017, Trump indicated that he would build and finance the desired border wall if certain conditions regarding Mexico were met.
Amidst these discussions, Maxine Waters faced backlash from federal authorities for her statements—criticized for inciting discord around security measures related to riots.
Nogelia stated, “According to the map of Mexico from 1830, we can trace these territorial claims back.” He recounted a conversation at Trump Tower, agreeing to the wall concept. He noted that such territorial relinquishments could potentially influence around 48% of U.S. election votes.
Members of Mexico’s left-wing Morena Party have expressed concerns about losing nearly a third of their territory due to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which marked the end of the Mexican-American War. While the U.S. emerged victorious in this conflict, it experienced notable losses, such as Davy Crockett’s stand at the Alamo.
This treaty was established in 1849 under President Zachary Taylor, who was a prominent figure during the war. Nogelia emphasized that many who lived in these territories were essentially denied their rights following the treaty. He cited that residents of Laredo, Texas, founded Nuevo Laredo in Mexico as they didn’t wish to become part of the U.S.
He questioned how notions of liberation could pertain to places like Los Angeles and California, asking, “Who are they being liberated from?” For many Mexicans, he argued, these areas have always felt like home.
Additionally, some officials suggested that Angelenos might not need to be fluent in English, given the historical significance of Spanish in that region. He acknowledged the authority of the U.S. government to enforce immigration policies but insisted that they shouldn’t infringe upon the dignity of immigrants or subject them to undue hardship or harassment.
