Why do people south of the border feel they were the first to inhabit the south west?

Why do they forget that the land was occupied by American Indians?

Why do illegal aliens feel this is their land to come back to and make bogus claims of it belonging to them?
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As we have seen American Indians were the first people and first westerners of the American West. When Europeans came to what they called the 'New World', they saw it as their right or 'Manifest Destiny', conquer the land and disposes the American Indian. To help justify conquest, Europeans perceived indigenous peoples, including American Indians and their culture unequal (even non-human), and unworthy; often mentally rendering them invisible. American Indian discovery of America was also ignored so as to put into effect the 'Doctrine of Discovery'. Thus you will see false statements like 'Columbus discovered America', even though it is not clear he new where he was. So as immigrants, some by choice and others forced, made their way to America and the American West, the American Indians were a barrier to be removed or simply invisible, especially if already removed to reservations. These immigrants were from Europe, Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands. Most policy and influence came from Europeans and a dominant English influence. American language, measurement, science, technology were derived from English influences. Most Western States were surveyed with an English system while only Texas and Louisiana retained French or Spanish survey systems. However, the natural environment was often the greatest barrier to settlement in the American West as we have noted with Prescott's thesis.

The Spanish, English, French and Russians were the first foreigners to invade the American West and they came from all directions. Early probes were for quick discovery of fame and wealth. Often navigation and mapping was all that was accomplished. Some took the wealth and left, while others stayed to settle.

The Spanish were the first to expand into 'New Spain' from Mexico to the Southwest (New Mexico) and Lower (Baja) and Alta California as early as 1519. The Spanish initiated the ideas of 'Manifest Destiny' and 'Doctrine of Discovery', since they felt that their god had given them dominion over all living things, including newly discovered infidels. The 'New World' was given by the Spanish Pope Alexander VI to the Crown of Castile in 1493. Spanish conquest and colonization was under the jurisdiction of the Council of the Indies.