A22 Columbus, New Mexico USA 1891

This border town was the site of Pancho Villa’s raid in 1916. Villa, along with 485 men, attacked the town for much needed supplies and in retaliation for US support of Venustiano Carranza, his rival in the Mexican Revolution. In response, General Pershing led a 10,000-man expedition into Mexico to find and kill Villa. They were not successful.

Numerous civilians became attached to the failed expedition, hoping to enter the US as the army retreated. This included 524 Chinese laborers, merchants, and cooks who supported the U.S. Army during their journey in Mexico. Normally prevented from entering the US due to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, they sought asylum from persecution. General Pershing advocated for their continued service to the US Military until they were granted permanent residency in 1921.

back to All