Francisco E. Balderrama

About the Author

Francisco E. Balderrama is a distinguished historian and professor emeritus at California State University, Los Angeles, renowned for his pioneering research on Mexican American history and U.S.-Mexico relations. With a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, Balderrama has dedicated his career to uncovering the often-overlooked stories of Latino communities in the United States, particularly during periods of economic hardship and social upheaval. His seminal work, Decade of Betrayal: Mexican Repatriation in the 1930s, co-authored with Raymond Rodríguez, meticulously documents the forced deportation of hundreds of thousands of Mexican Americans during the Great Depression, shedding light on a dark chapter of American history. Balderrama's scholarship bridges academic rigor with compelling narrative, influencing policy discussions and public awareness on immigration and civil rights. A recipient of numerous awards, including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, he continues to lecture and write on the enduring legacies of these events.