Immigrants worry history repeating itself (Hope So!)

ABC 15 ^ | July 23, 2010 | Steve Irvin

[BradtotheBone]

PHOENIX - What would be considered a derogatory term today was part of an official policy of racial profiling more than a half century ago. It was called “Operation Wetback.”

In 1954, according to numerous accounts, the Eisenhower administration, concerned about a growing number of illegal immigrants, began a series of immigration sweeps starting in California and Arizona.

More than a thousand border patrol agents, cooperating with local police, fanned out to farming communities and even to Hispanic neighborhoods, looking for those who were in the country illegally. The result was up to a million Mexican-Americans leaving the U.S. and returning to Mexico.

Although there are many who look at the period as a dark time in Arizona’s history, others say it feeds into the fear that SB 1070 will lead to racial profiling.

“The community who have family members who are immigrants or immigrants themselves, there is this tremendous fear, and then there are the stories of my father or great grandfather,” said Jaime Aguilar, an ASU historian.

In fact, there have been a number of periods in history when sentiment grows against illegal immigration. It has often led to mass deportations, as in the 1930s when thousands were sent back to Mexico.

“This happens every 20 years or so,” Aguila said.

[ecomcon]

More than a thousand border patrol agents, cooperating with local police, fanned out to farming communities and even to Hispanic neighborhoods, looking for those who were in the country illegally. The result was up to a million Mexican-Americans leaving the U.S. and returning to Mexico.

1 thousand caused 1 million to self deport. Hardly any effort or cost. Just takes the political will.

Barry says "it's too hard".

[mrsmel]

What is so “dark” about the days when we actually enforced our laws?

[Vigilanteman]

I have never been unable to understand the conundrum presented by the open borders lobby.

If Mexico is such a wonderful country that we have have nothing to fear from open immigration, why is it such a terrible place to send these people back to live?

On the other hand, if Mexico is such a terrible place to live that people will risk their lives to get out, why shouldn't we at least check and see who is coming over so we can exclude people such as drug smugglers, gang bangers, terrorists and those who simply want to live off the taxpayers of our country?

[equalitybeforethelaw]

Gee, too bad the Mexicans deport illegals. I wonder why they are surprised when Americans do the same?

[Little Ray]

You can’t have welfare and open borders. Even the hardest working illegal aliens will still use ERs as their primary care and many skip their bills. We know how that affects hospitals and health care costs. Others who aren’t inclined to work so hard, have no issues with using fraud to obtain benefits.

[Caesar Soze]

“I'm a fourth generation Arizonan. I'm a veteran of the Korean conflict. I'm a retired schoolteacher. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I've never been in jail. I'm a writer and researcher, and yet I live in fear, because I look Mexican. I am Mexican,” Vega said.

What is he in fear of? I hear about so much "fear" from Hispanic citizens and legal residents, but I really don't know what they're afraid of. The slight possibility that they may be asked to identify themselves to a law enforcement officer? I prefer to exercise my rights to silence and privacy whenever possible, but I'm not really "afraid" of identifying myself to the law, I just find it distasteful.

[ssapro]

The article is incorrect. It was actually only 750 Border Patrol Agents. God Bless the USBP. Too bad Obammie doesn’t have the juevos to do the same now. GO ARIZONA!!!!

[antiRepublicrat]

What is he in fear of?

The bogey man that has been created by the left, not this law.

If he continues his perfectly clean record, and is never stopped by a cop, then this law will not affect him personally. If he is stopped, all he has to do is show his Arizona driver's license, something he would normally have to do anyway. Even then the law won't affect him, because a license is proof of legal status under the law.

If he is stopped by a cop for no reason other than to ascertain his citizenship, then he can have a good time getting that cop fired and probably getting a fat settlement from the city.

[hecht]

What part of the word “illegal “ do the Journolisters of ABC not get

[AuntB]

Notice the attitude of the squatter support squad yesterday in Arizona:

"WE WILL NOT COMPLY"

AS IF they have ever 'complied' with any of our laws!

Poll needs freeping!!!!

Arizona immigration lawsuit Should the federal government sue Arizona for its anti-illegal immigration law?

Yes, the law is unconstitutional and will lead to rampant racial profiling.

No, the federal government should spend its time fixing its broken immigration policies.

I don't know.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/07/23/2010-07-23_arizona_immigration_law_wont_be_completely_blocked_federal_judges_indicates_duri.html

[jimt]

The result was up to a million Mexican-Americans leaving the U.S. and returning to Mexico.

Duh, if they were illegals and Mexicans THEY WERE NOT AMERICANS, you idiot !!! (to the author, not the poster)

The result was up to a million illegal Mexicans leaving the US and returning to Mexico. Which was a good thing. Also, the million illegals were not vacuuming up public assistance like the parasites of today. Criminal illegals got short shrift in the 50s, unlike the coddling they receive today.

[ASOC]

Just for the record - It wasn't just Ike

Hoover and Truman both went after Mexicans.
even Coolidge went after Europeans

Mandate proof of citizenship for ANY/ALL Govt funded services.

Watch out for the 'private' charities that seem soft of illegals.

What was the old saying? "America for Americans"

or was that - Feed rats and you just get more rats?

[HiJinx]

Ping!

[raybbr]

The result was up to a million Mexican-Americans leaving the U.S. and returning to Mexico.

This crap has got to stop. Why would a "mexican-American" return to mexico? If he's an American there is no need to go anywhere.

They are invaders, plain and simple.