Mexican Restrictions on Settlers in Texas (1820s–1830s)

Immigration & Settlement Rules Under Mexican Law

Entry Requirements

• Must be Roman Catholic.
• Must swear allegiance to Mexico and become Mexican citizens.
• Immigration required official approval (empresario contracts).

Restrictions After Settlement

• Public use of English prohibited (Spanish only).
• No new enslaved Africans allowed; existing enslaved people to be freed.
• Only Spanish-language printing permitted.
• Personal firearms restricted at border crossings.

These policies aimed to ensure cultural assimilation and limit Anglo-American influence—ultimately fueling the Texas Revolution (1835–36).