Complex sentence: Food shortages in were common in Mexico while most of foodstuffs produced were exported; hunger, along with a growing population prompted many Mexicans to attempt to enter the U.S., legally or illegally, in search of wages and a better life.
Split into simpler sentences: Food shortages in were common in Mexico while most of foodstuffs produced were exported. Hunger, along with a growing population prompted many Mexicans to attempt to enter the U.S., legally or illegally, in search of wages and a better life.