Allure of mythical 'Aztlan' homeland inspires Hispanics

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — In the U.S. debate over immigration, there is perhaps no word as controversial as "Aztlan," the name of the mythical Aztec homeland.

For many it carries potent political overtones, for others it is a romantic ideal, and to those opposed to illegal immigration it represents an effort to reclaim land that was once part of Mexico.

"Aztlan is a state of mind for some people. It's a point in history. For some, it's a political place, for some it's a separate nation," said Armando Navarro, a University of California, Riverside, professor whose views have generated controversy. "It represents land lost. You are sitting in a city, Riverside, that used to be in Mexico. That gives us a sense of entitlement. This was our land."

Though its definition is murky, the term has asserted itself in the language of today's immigration battles — used mostly by those demanding a crackdown on undocumented workers.

In Aztec folklore, Aztlan was believed to have been in northern Mexico, possibly along the western coast. Other accounts put it farther north, perhaps in what is now Arizona, Colorado or New Mexico.

During the Chicano rights movement of the 1960s, Aztlan became a powerful rallying cry for militants who spoke of a "reconquista," or reconquest, of the Southwest, turning it into an independent homeland for Hispanic people.

Now, a generation later, the word has lost is radical edge among Hispanic activists but continues to evoke emotions on both sides of the immigration debate.

"Up until recently I dismissed the idea as a kooky fringe element, but if you look at the demonstrations and see the flags and hear people chanting that this is stolen land, and 'we are reclaiming our lost land' it sounds more serious," said Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which supports tough enforcement of immigration laws.

John Kobylt, co-host of the "John and Ken" talk radio program on Los Angeles' KFI-AM 640, said listeners often express concern about reconquista.

"They see an invasion," said Kobylt, who opposes illegal immigration. "I think economic opportunities drive them here, but what gives them the spiritual lift is they feel the land is theirs."

That feeling may stem from Mexico's huge territorial losses after its defeat in the U.S.-Mexican War. In 1848, Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ceding California, Utah and Nevada along with parts of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming, to the United States.