Juan Crow facts for kids
Juan Crow is a new term created by a journalist named Roberto Lovato. He first used it in a magazine article in 2008, and it became well-known. This term compares today's immigration rules to the old Jim Crow laws. It suggests that current immigration enforcement unfairly treats some people, especially those from Mexico or Latin America. Many people who work to change immigration laws now use this term.
What is Juan Crow?
The term "Juan Crow" helps people talk about how some modern immigration laws might be unfair. It points out similarities between these laws and the historical Jim Crow laws. Jim Crow laws were a set of rules in the United States that discriminated against African Americans. They kept Black people separate from white people and limited their rights.
When people use "Juan Crow," they are saying that some current immigration laws also lead to unfair treatment. These laws might make it harder for certain groups of immigrants to live and work freely. The term suggests that these rules create a system of discrimination.
Laws Called Juan Crow
The term "Juan Crow" has been used to describe specific immigration laws in the United States. These laws often affect people who have come to the U.S. without official permission.
For example, laws in states like Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas have been called "Juan Crow laws." People who use the term believe these laws make life very difficult for immigrants. They might limit access to jobs, housing, or other basic services.
One well-known example is Proposition 187 in California. This was a ballot measure passed in 1994. It aimed to stop undocumented immigrants from using public services. This included things like health care and public education. Immigration activists strongly opposed this proposition. They saw it as a "Juan Crow law" because it targeted a specific group of people.
The Juan Crow Era
The idea of a "Juan Crow era" goes beyond just specific laws. It describes a whole period of time. During this "era," many different things work together to control immigrants. This includes laws, social customs, and economic systems.
It refers to a time when immigrants, especially those without documents, might feel isolated. This isolation can be physical, meaning they are kept apart from others. It can also be "psychic," meaning they feel alone or unwelcome. This system is believed to make it easier to control and use undocumented immigrants for cheap labor.
