Alamo Plaza in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
In Re Ricardo Rodriguez
In addition to his declaration of intention, Rodríguez submitted affidavits attesting to his length of residency and good character. San Antonio lawyers A. J. Evans and T.J. McMinn submitted two Amicus Curiae briefs suggesting that he was ineligible for naturalization based on his ancestry. Maxey considered the evidence and delayed a ruling, instead appointing a committee to examine the issues and report back. After receiving the committee briefs, Judge Maxey rendered his ruling, on May 8, 1897. While noting that Rodríguez was uneducated, could not speak English, and did not know the principles of the U. S. Constitution, Maxey affirmed he met residency and character requirements. The judge also believed that citizens of Mexico were eligible for naturalization regardless of questions of race, and resolved to grant Rodríguez’s application.
The political and social consequences of the ruling were significant. It established the right of Mexican immigrants to attain citizenship if requirements other than ethnicity were met and affirmed that immigrants could not be denied naturalization due to lack of education.
Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17054.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Hispanic Americans. A significant historical date for this entry is May 8, 1897.
Location. 29° 25.6′ N, 98° 29.176′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Alamo Plaza. Marker is at the intersection of East Houston Street and Avenue E, on the left when traveling east on East Houston Street. Marker is located at the southeast corner of the Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 615 East Houston Street, San Antonio TX 78205, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gonzales Men at the Alamo (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel William B. Travis (within shouting distance of this marker); Alamo Sesquicentennial Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Emily West Morgan (1815-1891) (within shouting distance of this marker); Susannah Dickinson (within shouting distance of this marker); Mission San Antonio de Valero 1744 (within shouting distance of this marker); James Bowie (within shouting distance of this marker); John William Smith, 'El Colorado' (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
Also see . . . In Re Ricardo Rodríguez - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on February 19, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Additional keywords. In Re Ricardo Rodriguez
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,801 times since then and 263 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 21, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.