Welcome to the latest episode of Preserving History and Democracy! In this episode, we take listeners on a captivating journey into one of the borderland's most overlooked historical chapters. Our guest, Joel Gonzalez Parra—historian, researcher, and recent NMSU graduate joining us from Washington, D.C.—shares the compelling story of the repatriate colonies that emerged in the aftermath of the Mexican–American War.

Joel unpacks how, when the border shifted in 1848, many New Mexicans found themselves suddenly living under a new flag and facing decisions that would reshape entire communities. Some chose to remain in the now-American territory, while others uprooted their lives and crossed south into Mexico to establish new settlements. What followed is a rich and complex narrative of identity, politics, culture, and survival.

The episode explores the formation of towns such as Mesilla, Doña Ana, Guadalupe, and San Ignacio; the surprising cartographic mistake that misplaced El Paso by forty miles and altered the border forever; and the delicate balance of fear, opportunity, and loyalty that influenced families on both sides. Joel guides us through the everyday struggles of settlers navigating unfamiliar governments, land-grant disputes that lasted generations, and the powerful role of priests and community leaders who shaped these cross-border movements.

As the conversation unfolds, we learn how families maintained ties and influence across the dividing line, how political violence sparked new migrations, and how these early decisions still echo in modern land records, deeds, and local histories found right here in Doña Ana County. It's a story full of movement and resilience, revealing how the borderlands became the culturally rich, interconnected region they are today.

Join us we rediscover the history beneath our feet, guided by a Gonzalez Parra, who brings clarity, passion, and fresh perspective to a truly remarkable era.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/MC8an7pKeEs

Hosted by: Angelica Valenzuela, Bernardine Caporale

Special Guest: Joel Gonzalez Parra

Produced by: Bernardine Caporale, Cynthia Mendoza, Jacob Slaughter

Edited by: Jacob Slaughter