L.A. County Cuts Welfare Costs, Pays Immigrants to Go Back to Mexico -- Updated

Dec. 3, 1941: I have been reading old newspapers for years and very little about Los Angeles history surprises me anymore, but this one amazed me.  To reduce the welfare rolls, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approves paying $100 [$1,441.19 USD 2009] to immigrants to move back to Mexico. Families were to receive $10 a month for 10 months either through the Mexican government or the U.S. consul, The Times said. [Update, Dec. 5, 2010, 3:57 p.m.: A headline and previous version of this post said payments would be offered to illegal immigrants. Further research in The Times’ clips shows that in 1941, legal and illegal immigrants were apparently eligible for relief (see the above story from March 15, 1941, in which the state Legislature tried to ban welfare to illegal immigrants). However, it appears that payments were to be offered to all immigrants, regardless of legal status.] The story is on the jump.

Comments

[C L]

Hello?! The story says nothing about "illegal immigrants". In bad times, like in the 1930s, the US has scapegoated those of Mexican descent and force them to flee to Mexico even though they are US citizens. This documentary tells of the deportations of Mexican-Americans during that period:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ5pvg5-4Nk

[peacequiet]

Ah...yes this refers to illegal aliens. I lived in Long Beach from 51 to 76.
The infestation steadily grew and grew.

I got the heck out of there finally.
Huge illegal alien families on welfare off our blood sweat and tears.
Disgusting !!

Oregon also has Illegals on welfare and food stamps.
Crawl over the border and let the kid drop out,you have it made.

The person that made the first comment is not aware that not until much much later did they start saying "illegal aliens"