Wetback (slur)

Wetback (English: wet back) is a derogatory term for illegal immigrants in the U.S. Mexicans, especially the straight arrivals. Spanish counterparts are Mojado ( Nasser ) or Alambrista ( " Drahtler ", ie fence climbers ). The term comes from the fact that a large number of illegal immigrants from Mexico to Rio Grande swimming or wading to cross to get to Texas. While the term was originally applied only to living illegally in the U.S. Mexicans, it includes today sometimes Latinos nichtmexikanischer origin.

History of the term

Wetbacks as a designation for Mexican immigrants can be found as early as 1920 in an article in the New York Times. As illegal immigration from Mexico increased sharply after the Second World War, the term gained popularity. From the U.S. government, he was finally apprehended in 1954 for Operation Wetback, while the illegal immigrants were deported in the large frame from the U.S. to Mexico. The action included officially illegal immigrants of any nationality. In fact, however, the focus was on Mexicans, the definition was very broad " illegality".

The Operation Wetback contributed to the dissemination of the concept. Today, he is considered by many Hispanics as offensive or racist.

Cultural reception

A 1953 film titled wetback and has illegal immigration from Mexico to the United States on the subject. Wetback: The Undocumented Documentary is a Canadian documentary from 2005, which deals with the same subject from the Canadian point of view.