The 2000 Census estimated that there were 6,220 Mexicans living in Philadelphia. Because of rapid growth, the population was estimated to surpass 12,000 in 2003. For the most part, Mexicans live in South Philadelphia, which is the fastest growing Mexican community. There are also small concentrations in Kensington, Olney, West Philadelphia, and Southwest Philadelphia. It is worth noting that there are a tremendous amount of Mexicans living throughout the Tri-state area, especially in suburbs like Kennett Square.

In the 1910's and 1920's, a small group of Mexican men migrated to Philadelphia in search of jobs. Most of these people worked in agriculture, construction, and on the railroads. They typically moved into established Puerto Rican neighborhoods. During World War II Mexican men were recruited to come live in the United States and work on railroads. In the 1970's, another wave of Mexicans came to Philadelphia - this time men and women. These people came to establish careers and to open their own businesses. During the 1990's Mexican Philadelphians really established a community. They began to provide service work, left predominately Puerto Rican communities, and started building their own Mexican communities.

There is a very large Mexican population in Philadelphia. However, it is a part of the larger Latino community. The Latino people make some great contributions to the city of Philadelphia, and at times could use some support. One organization that supports this community is Congreso de Latinos Unidos. Congreso offers a broad range of services including the first Latina domestic violence program, as well as HIV prevention and case management services. Congreso is strengthening the Puerto Rican (and otherwise Latino) community in part because of partnerships with government agencies, health providers, labor organizations, businesses, and other community-based institutions. The Lighthouse is another organization that supports the Latino community in Philadelphia. This group has been serving the multicultural population of Philadelphia since the late 1800's. It provides services such as day care, before - and after - school care, and a food share program, educational, occupational, cultural, and recreational programs, an Adult Educational Program & ESL, an Economic Development Program, a Teen Parenting Education and Employment Program, and a Young Parenting Fathers Program. In South Philadelphia, one organization that serves this community is Juntos and La Casa de los Soles. Juntos links Mexican people to the appropriate services and opportunities they need in a manner that is beneficial for community, institution and city, and offers services such as English as a Second Language classes and computer classes.

To find out more about Mexicans in Philadelphia and the programs that support them, please visit:

Juntos and La Casa de los Soles
http://www.casadesoles.org

Congreso
http://www.congreso.net/
Congreso's website includes information on the programs that it provides, relevant news, available jobs, information on the community it serves, and its funders.

Latino Philadelphia
http://www.hsp.org/default.aspx?id=103
This is a profile of the Latino community of Philadelphia, created by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. It has a variety of information such as what it means to be Latino/Latina, Latino history in Philadelphia, what it is like to be an immigrant in Philadelphia, community resources, cultural expressions, and more.

"Borderline Realities" by Kate Kilpatrick
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/view.php?id=8728
This is an article about trends of robberies that take place in the Mexican community in South Philadelphia. The victims are afraid to report the crimes because of limited language skill and fear of deportation.

"Recent Trends in Immigration to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania" by Fels Institute of Government at Univeristy of Penn
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/fels/philapopulation.htm
This document contains a brief history of the immigration patterns of this population in Philadelphia, why this population came here, and what parts of the city they live in now.

The World Fact Book
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
This CIA website contains an extremely large amount of information about all of the countries in the world such as: history, geography, information about its citizens, government, economy, transnational issues, and more. To find out information about this country, pull it down from the menu.

Centro Nueva Creación
http://www.centronueva.org/
Centro Nueva Creación's website has information on its programs, has relevant news, the organization's history, and more.

"Latinos in the United States: Where Are We From?"
http://www.nahj.org/resourceguide/chapter_3.html
This website was created by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. This section of the website contains information on various Latin American countries, and why their citizens have moved to the US.