Operation Wetback

Operation Wetback was a military-style initiative conducted by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in 1954 to remove illegal immigrants, primarily Mexican nationals, from the southwestern United States. The operation was a response to the increasing number of undocumented Mexican immigrants in the United States following World War II.

The name "Wetback" is a derogatory term that was used at the time to describe Mexican migrants who had supposedly entered the U.S. by swimming or wading across the Rio Grande River, which forms part of the U.S.-Mexico border. The term is now considered offensive and insensitive.

The operation was implemented under the direction of then-Attorney General Herbert Brownell Jr. and was overseen by General Joseph Swing, the INS Commissioner. The initiative was a result of political pressure and growing public concern about the perceived economic effects of illegal immigrants in the United States.

During Operation Wetback, the U.S. government used a variety of tactics to enforce immigration laws, including raids on workplaces, sweeps in Mexican-American communities, and border patrols. The operation resulted in the apprehension and deportation of thousands of people, with estimates ranging from 250,000 to over 1 million. Many were repatriated to Mexico by bus, train, and even ships. The operation also involved a program of voluntary repatriation, where workers were encouraged to return to Mexico of their own accord.

The operation was controversial and criticized for its methods, which were often aggressive and led to instances of civil rights violations. Many Mexican nationals and Mexican-Americans were caught up in the sweeps, and there were reports of lawful residents and U.S. citizens being deported by mistake due to the indiscriminate nature of the raids.

Operation Wetback was part of a larger program known as the Bracero Program, which was a series of laws and diplomatic agreements initiated in 1942 between the U.S. and Mexico. The Bracero Program allowed millions of Mexican agricultural workers to work in the United States on temporary work permits. However, the program also led to widespread illegal immigration, as the demand for labor often exceeded the number of available visas.

The legacy of Operation Wetback is complex. While it did lead to a significant reduction in the number of undocumented workers in the U.S. at the time, it also set a precedent for future mass deportation efforts and has been cited in contemporary debates on immigration enforcement and policy. The operation is a reminder of the challenges and controversies surrounding immigration policy, enforcement practices, and the treatment of migrant communities.