ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we compare the experiences of Mexican immigrants known as the 1.5 generation—children who arrive at age 16 or earlier in the United States—in two different contexts: Pennsylvania and California. Based on in-depth interview data, we show how different circumstances of migration and contexts of reception among 1.5 Mexican migrants—as dependent “minors” or independent “adults”—shape migration and experiences of racialization in the United States. In addition, through the comparison, we highlight the commonalities across geography given the national regime of illegality in shaping experiences of belonging, and we show how Mexican immigrant women are racialized in different institutions.
