How Eisenhower solved illegal border crossings from Mexico

The Christian Science Monitor ^ | 07/06/2006 | John Dillin

[safetysign]

Fifty-three years ago, when newly elected Dwight Eisenhower moved into the White House, America's southern frontier was as porous as a spaghetti sieve. As many as 3 million illegal migrants had walked and waded northward over a period of several years for jobs in California, Arizona, Texas, and points beyond.

President Eisenhower cut off this illegal traffic. He did it quickly and decisively with only 1,075 United States Border Patrol agents - less than one-tenth of today's force. The operation is still highly praised among veterans of the Border Patrol.

Although there is little to no record of this operation in Ike's official papers, one piece of historic evidence indicates how he felt. In 1951, Ike wrote a letter to Sen. William Fulbright (D) of Arkansas. The senator had just proposed that a special commission be created by Congress to examine unethical conduct by government officials who accepted gifts and favors in exchange for special treatment of private individuals.

General Eisenhower, who was gearing up for his run for the presidency, said "Amen" to Senator Fulbright's proposal. He then quoted a report in The New York Times, highlighting one paragraph that said: "The rise in illegal border-crossing by Mexican 'wetbacks' to a current rate of more than 1,000,000 cases a year has been accompanied by a curious relaxation in ethical standards extending all the way from the farmer-exploiters of this contraband labor to the highest levels of the Federal Government."

[safetysign]

Ah, for a military man in the White House rather than a Metrosexual socialist.

[bgill]

We’ve thrown away any pretense of a sieve.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> Ah, for a military man in the White House rather than a Metrosexual socialist.

He’s sorta like a “MetroSexual CosmoPolitician”, ay.

[TYVets]

Just another reason people wore buttons that said:

I Like Ike

[Jubal Madison]

“a military man in the White House..”

Amen to that, but at this point I would settle for someone with some common sense who wants to govern according to our Constitution and the Rule of Law. - JM

[Altura Ct.]

Yet we are told it just can’t be done.

Of course the only thing standing in the way is traditional united Americans with purpose. (Does that still exist?)

[meandog]

Keep movin', movin', movin',
Though they're disapprovin',
Keep them wetbacks movin' Rawhide!

(whip crack, Howard Dean scream)

Don't try to understand 'em,
Just rope and throw and brand 'em,
Soon we'll be living high and wide.
Boy my heart's calculatin'
My USA will be waitin', be waiting at the end of my ride.

(whip crack, Howard Dean scream)

Move 'em on, head 'em up,
Head 'em up, move 'em out,
Move 'em on, head 'em out Rawhide!
Set 'em out, ride 'em in
Ride 'em in, let 'em out,
Cut 'em out, ride 'em in Rawhide.

(whip crack, Howard Dean scream)

Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Though the Rio Grande's swollen
Keep them wetbacks rollin'
Rawhide!
Rain and wind and weather
Hell-bent for leather
Wishin' George Bush was on my side.
All the things I'm missin',
Like good crime-free blessins,
Are waiting at the end of my ride

CHORUS
Move 'em on, head 'em up
Head 'em up, move 'em on
Move 'em on, head 'em up
Rawhide
Count 'em out, ride 'em in,
Ride 'em in, count 'em out,
Count 'em out, ride 'em in
Rawhide!

(whip crack, Howard Dean scream!)

[MBB1984]

It is so depressing to me that we can not even attain what you purpose, a man with some common sense who wants to govern according to our Constitution and Rule of law. It seems some of our worst enemies are our “supposed” GOP friends such as Bush and McCain. There is no hope with Obama and his gang of Marxists.

I have almost lost any hope for our nation.

[Wallace T.]

Taking command of the Border Patrol may be a good assignment for General Petreaus after the defeat of Obama by a solidly conservative Republican in 2012.

[PapaBear3625]

One effective measure was to release captured illegals hundreds of miles south of the border. They did not like that.

Illegals will just cross again unless there is some unpleasant consequence to being caught, such as having to travel long distances just to make it back to the border.

[Oldpuppymax]

The MExican invasion. What happens when criminals in DC sell out the nation and the Americans people for votes and contributions. Hey, strangely enough, MOST of our problems stem from the same thing! Probably just a coincidence, huh?

[Just A Nobody]

Fifty-three years ago...America's southern frontier was as porous as a spaghetti sieve. As many as 3 million illegal migrants had walked and waded northward ...

Pure propaganda piece. Everyone knows not a single soul crossed our southern border illegally until we had President George W. Bush in the White House.

[Menehune56]

Profits from illegal labor led to the kind of corruption that apparently worried Eisenhower.

Too bad they don't seem to have worried any of Ike's successors.

[Auntie Mame]

Pure propaganda piece. Everyone knows not a single soul crossed our southern border illegally until we had President George W. Bush in the White House.

LOL. So true.

[HiJinx]

Ping!