Tracing the background and history of Mexican Americans in Detroit, Michigan, the booklet briefly reviews the early stages of Meso-American history, the Spaniards' arrival in Mexico, colonial Mexico, Mexico's revolt for independence, and the internal turmoil in Mexico which continued until early in 1861. The accomplishments of such Mexicans as Father Miguel Hidalgo, Jose Morelos, Augustin de Iturbide, and Benito Juarez are discussed. Next, the booklet summarizes the trends of the foreign-born Mexican population of the United States between 1850 and 1977 and the correlation between deportations of Mexicans and economic trends in the United States. Three major factors which played important roles in the decisions of Mexican immigrants and migrants to come to Michigan are discussed: transfers by railroads which had employed Mexican track hands in other states; the announcement of the $5.00 work day by the Ford Motor Company and work in the automobile and related industries; and the sugar beet industry. The final section discusses the growth of Detroit's Mexican settlement; the role of fraternal, religious, cultural, and patriotic groups in the settlement; discrimination experienced by Mexicans in Detroit; and the educational and socioeconomic background of foreign-born and second-generation Mexicans in Detroit. (NQA)