Final answer:
Hispanics were offered U.S. citizenship following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, with the population facing persistent discrimination. Puerto Ricans gained citizenship with the Jones Act in 1917. Despite successes, immigration status and civil rights remain key issues for Hispanics in the U.S.
Step-by-step explanation:
Work Groups and U.S. Citizenship for Spanish Americans
Following the annexation of various territories such as Texas and after the Mexican-American War, Latinos began to form a significant part of the U.S. population. Many faced discrimination and could only find low-paying jobs as migrant farm workers, railroad workers, and unskilled laborers.
After the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, Hispanic residents in the newly acquired U.S. territories were granted the option to become U.S. citizens. However, despite legal protections, their rights and properties were often threatened or ignored within a generation. Puerto Ricans were made U.S. citizens in 1917 through the Jones Act, permitting them entry into the U.S. as citizens from that point onward.
Immigration patterns have greatly influenced the social fabric of the United States, with Hispanics constituting one of the largest minority groups. Issues like immigration reform, the DREAM Act, and policies of the Trump administration have been central to public debate concerning Hispanic immigration and the rights of immigrants. Despite the successes of Hispanic Americans in various sectors, challenges regarding immigration status and civil rights remain persistent issues for this group.