Alamo Plaza in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

In Re Ricardo Rodriguez

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 16, 2019

1. In Re Ricardo Rodriguez Marker

Inscription. In 1896, a court case involving Ricardo Rodríguez brought attention to questions of citizenship and voting rights for Mexican Texans. Although several actions had granted citizenship to large numbers of Tejanos during the 1800s, some sought to disenfranchise the group. In 1896, Rodríguez came before Federal District Judge Thomas S. Maxey to gain approval for his American citizenship request. Little is known of Rodríguez, who indicated at the Bexar County Courthouse that he was born in Hijuelas, San Luis Potosí, Mexico c. 1857. However, the case in which he was involved, styled In Re or Ex Parte Ricardo Rodríguez, activated a major influence on the incipient Mexican-American Civil Rights Movement.

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

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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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gonzales Men at the Alamo (within

<i>In Re Ricardo Rodriguez</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 25, 2018

2. In Re Ricardo Rodriguez Marker

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 New Albany, Ohio.)

Additional keywords. In Re Ricardo Rodriguez

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 25, 2018

3. In Re Ricardo Rodriguez Marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, April 7, 2024

4. In Re Ricardo Rodriguez Marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, April 7, 2024

5. In Re Ricardo Rodriguez Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,732 times since then and 232 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 21, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on July 10, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California.