The popular notion is that Puerto Ricans arrived in the mainland United States after WWII, and it is true that the majority did come at that time. However, Puerto Ricans have been migrating to the U.S. since the late 1800′s. After the Spanish-American War, when the United States took Puerto Rico from Spain, this migration increased. In 1917, Puerto Ricans were granted citizenship in order to be able to help out with World War I. Some were drafted into the Army and the rest were left to struggle with unemployment reaching crisis level. According to a U.S. Employment bulletin there were 75,000 unemployed laborers available for work in the mainland.

In 1918, the War Department began transporting these laborers to labor camps in places like North Carolina and Arkansas. These laborers were offered government contracts with housing and meals. The reality of these labor camps was that these men were subjected to harsh conditions, forced labor, unsanitary conditions and inadequate food (that they were charged for). Between 1918 and 1919, approximately 100 laborers died in labor camps in Arkansas.

For additional information you can follow the links below:

• U.S. Employment Bulletin
• Deposition of Rafael Marchán, laborer at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina