Operation Wetback episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 23, 2025 · 47 MIN

Operation Wetback

from False Summits: A History Podcast about the American West · host Mason Orlando - Jess Leigh - Marcelo Aguilar

Let us know what you thinkThis week Marcelo takes us thru a dark chapiter in American History, the grotesquely named immigration law enforcement initiative “Operation Wetback” that used military style tactics to remove Mexican immigrants, often ignoring residential or citizen status. Eerily like the headlines of today, we will explore the motivations of those who created and carried out the constitutionally questionable act and the repercussions it had on the communities, economies, and families of those displaced. #WesternHistory #TexasHistory #NewMexico, #ArizonaHistory #CaliforniaHistory #USHistory #immigranthistory #Chicanohistory #DeportationHistory #FalseSummitsPod #Eisenhower #JosehMaySwingSourcesLos Angeles Times. “Operation Begins With Swift Roundup of Aliens in Pre-Dawn Sweep.” June 18,1954.San Antonio Express. “In the Loma Park sector, several informants tipped off authorities to an entirefamily suspected of entering illegally. All members were removed by 5 a.m.” July 22, 1954.El Paso Herald-Post. “WETBACKS FLOOD BORDER – Roundup Imminent.” June 16, 1954.Kelly Lytle Hernández. *Migra! A History of the U.S. Border Patrol*. University of California Press, 2010.Mae M. Ngai. *Impossible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America*. PrincetonUniversity Press, 2004.Juan González. *Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America*. Penguin Books, 2011.Matt García. *A World of Its Own: Race, Labor, and Citrus in the Making of Greater Los Angeles,1900–1970*. University of North Carolina Press, 2001.Oral History of José Ángel Gutiérrez. University of Texas Libraries Archives.U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Testimony of General Joseph Swing. 1954.Congressional Record. Remarks by Congressman Jack Anderson. 1954.Diocese of Corpus Christi Archives. Letter from Father Raymond G. Vonnahmen. 1954.League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). National Newsletter. August 1954. Thanks so much for listening!!!!!Like, subscribe, leave a review, wherever you can!!! Check us out with pictures on YouTube.com @ FalseSummitPodcast and like and subscribe !!!We would love to hear from you!Follow us on Instagram and bluesky @ false_summits_podFeel free to send an email to [email protected] Provided by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 23, 2025

Embed this episode

Let us know what you think This week Marcelo takes us thru a dark chapiter in American History, the grotesquely named immigration law enforcement initiative “Operation Wetback” that used military style tactics to remove Mexican immigrants, often ignoring residential or citizen status. Eerily like the headlines of today, we will explore the motivations of those who created and carried out the constitutionally questionable act and the repercussions it had on the communities, economies, and fami...

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.

NOW PLAYING

Operation Wetback

0:00 47:48

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of False Summits: A History Podcast about the American West?

This episode is 47 minutes long.

When was this False Summits: A History Podcast about the American West episode published?

This episode was published on August 23, 2025.

Can I download this False Summits: A History Podcast about the American West episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!