I disagree with your statement.
I was born in Los Angeles and grew up in California. So did my parents. The California we knew is long gone.
But I’m very familiar with the history of California and after Mexico declared its independence from Spain, there were Mexicans in California.
I have many friends who are Mexican, they are proud of their Mexican citizenship, and many are not of Indian descent.
My family has been in Southern California for over 140 years and there is no such thing as a mexican that isn’t spanish and indian mix!!!
There was nothing but spanish in Californis until the late 1800s except those that were offspring of indians that were screwed by catholic priests!
That is the definition of a mexican, thay are halfbreeds and second class citizens in Mexico!