Banished Citizens

We cannot remember history if we were never taught it. Banished Citizens is a crucial text not just for Latina/o history but for the nation’s history—one that speaks to democracy, rights, and the dangers of exclusion. This is a history we must remember, not just for the past, but to safeguard the future. – Natalia Molina, author of A Place at the NayaritA groundbreaking and essential work. Marla A. Ramírez gives voice to a generation too long overlooked, uncovering the resilience, courage, and enduring spirit of those unjustly expelled despite their US citizenship. Both heart-wrenching and deeply inspiring, this beautifully written book is a triumph of historical scholarship and a testament to the power of reclaiming silenced stories. Ramírez’s critical insights into the enduring impact of deportation and repatriation could not be more timely or urgent than they are today. – Mireya Loza, author of Defiant BracerosThrough a rich account of four families banished from the United States to Mexico in the early twentieth century, Marla A. Ramírez incisively reveals how illegality was imposed on US citizens and their descendants. Banished Citizens is the rare work of history that tells us as much about the struggles of today as it reveals about our American past. – George J. Sánchez, author of Boyle Heights and Becoming Mexican American

Marla A. Ramírez is Assistant Professor of History and Chicane/x and Latine/x Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.