By John Dillin July 6, 2006
WASHINGTON — George W. Bush isn't the first Republican president to face a full-blown immigration crisis on the US-Mexican border.
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.
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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.
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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."
Years later, the late Herbert Brownell Jr., Eisenhower's first attorney general, said in an interview with this writer that the president had a sense of urgency about illegal immigration when he took office.
America "was faced with a breakdown in law enforcement on a very large scale," Mr. Brownell said. "When I say large scale, I mean hundreds of thousands were coming in from Mexico [every year] without restraint."
Although an on-and-off guest-worker program for Mexicans was operating at the time, farmers and ranchers in the Southwest had become dependent on an additional low-cost, docile, illegal labor force of up to 3 million, mostly Mexican, laborers.
According to the Handbook of Texas Online, published by the University of Texas at Austin and the Texas State Historical Association, this illegal workforce had a severe impact on the wages of ordinary working Americans. The Handbook Online reports that a study by the President's Commission on Migratory Labor in Texas in 1950 found that cotton growers in the Rio Grande Valley, where most illegal aliens in Texas worked, paid wages that were "approximately half" the farm wages paid elsewhere in the state.
Profits from illegal labor led to the kind of corruption that apparently worried Eisenhower. Joseph White, a retired 21-year veteran of the Border Patrol, says that in the early 1950s, some senior US officials overseeing immigration enforcement "had friends among the ranchers," and agents "did not dare" arrest their illegal workers.
Walt Edwards, who joined the Border Patrol in 1951, tells a similar story. He says: "When we caught illegal aliens on farms and ranches, the farmer or rancher would often call and complain [to officials in El Paso]. And depending on how politically connected they were, there would be political intervention. That is how we got into this mess we are in now."
Bill Chambers, who worked for a combined 33 years for the Border Patrol and the then-called US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), says politically powerful people are still fueling the flow of illegals.
During the 1950s, however, this "Good Old Boy" system changed under Eisenhower – if only for about 10 years.
In 1954, Ike appointed retired Gen. Joseph "Jumpin' Joe" Swing, a former West Point classmate and veteran of the 101st Airborne, as the new INS commissioner.
Influential politicians, including Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson (D) of Texas and Sen. Pat McCarran (D) of Nevada, favored open borders, and were dead set against strong border enforcement, Brownell said. But General Swing's close connections to the president shielded him – and the Border Patrol – from meddling by powerful political and corporate interests.
One of Swing's first decisive acts was to transfer certain entrenched immigration officials out of the border area to other regions of the country where their political connections with people such as Senator Johnson would have no effect.
Then on June 17, 1954, what was called "Operation Wetback" began. Because political resistance was lower in California and Arizona, the roundup of aliens began there. Some 750 agents swept northward through agricultural areas with a goal of 1,000 apprehensions a day. By the end of July, over 50,000 aliens were caught in the two states. Another 488,000, fearing arrest, had fled the country.
By mid-July, the crackdown extended northward into Utah, Nevada, and Idaho, and eastward to Texas.
By September, 80,000 had been taken into custody in Texas, and an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 illegals had left the Lone Star State voluntarily.
Unlike today, Mexicans caught in the roundup were not simply released at the border, where they could easily reenter the US. To discourage their return, Swing arranged for buses and trains to take many aliens deep within Mexico before being set free.
Tens of thousands more were put aboard two hired ships, the Emancipation and the Mercurio. The ships ferried the aliens from Port Isabel, Texas, to Vera Cruz, Mexico, more than 500 miles south.
The sea voyage was "a rough trip, and they did not like it," says Don Coppock, who worked his way up from Border Patrolman in 1941 to eventually head the Border Patrol from 1960 to 1973.
Mr. Coppock says he "cannot understand why [President] Bush let [today's] problem get away from him as it has. I guess it was his compassionate conservatism, and trying to please [Mexican President] Vincente Fox."
There are now said to be 12 million to 20 million illegal aliens in the US. Of the Mexicans who live here, an estimated 85 percent are here illegally.
Border Patrol vets offer tips on curbing illegal immigration
One day in 1954, Border Patrol agent Walt Edwards picked up a newspaper in Big Spring, Texas, and saw some startling news. The government was launching an all-out drive to oust illegal aliens from the United States.
The orders came straight from the top, where the new president, Dwight Eisenhower, had put a former West Point classmate, Gen. Joseph Swing, in charge of immigration enforcement.
General Swing's fast-moving campaign soon secured America's borders – an accomplishment no other president has since equaled. Illegal migration had dropped 95 percent by the late 1950s.
Several retired Border Patrol agents who took part in the 1950s effort, including Mr. Edwards, say much of what Swing did could be repeated today.
"Some say we cannot send 12 million illegals now in the United States back where they came from. Of course we can!" Edwards says.
Donald Coppock, who headed the Patrol from 1960 to 1973, says that if Swing and Ike were still running immigration enforcement, "they'd be on top of this in a minute."
William Chambers, another '50s veteran, agrees. "They could do a pretty good job" sealing the border.
Edwards says: "When we start enforcing the law, these various businesses are, on their own, going to replace their [illegal] workforce with a legal workforce."
While Congress debates building a fence on the border, these veterans say other actions should have higher priority.
1. End the current practice of taking captured Mexican aliens to the border and releasing them. Instead, deport them deep into Mexico, where return to the US would be more costly.
2. Crack down hard on employers who hire illegals. Without jobs, the aliens won't come.
3. End "catch and release" for non-Mexican aliens. It is common for illegal migrants not from Mexico to be set free after their arrest if they promise to appear later before a judge. Few show up.
The Patrol veterans say enforcement could also be aided by a legalized guest- worker program that permits Mexicans to register in their country for temporary jobs in the US. Eisenhower's team ran such a program. It permitted up to 400,000 Mexicans a year to enter the US for various agriculture jobs that lasted for 12 to 52 weeks.
• John Dillin is former managing editor of the Monitor.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0706/p09s01-coop.html (http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0706/p09s01-coop.html)
This topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days. I am bumping this as it has been moved so it will be on page one for now.
Just to get this thread restarted I will make an observation. It seems many are looking for the entire illegal immigrant problem to be solved immediately and in total. I kind of like Trump's idea of starting with the illegals with criminal records. That is where probably 90% of our problems come from. Along with that a president can begin the process to get local law enforcement and the feds on the same page. Local folks know where the troublemakers are and can speed up the process. It is not a 60 day solution to fix a decades worth of mismanagement.
Quote from: walkstall on August 17, 2015, 01:14:35 PM
This topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days. I am bumping this as it has been moved so it will be on page one for now.
Thanks, I just moved it from the library since it only had 6 views? :huh:
I didn't have time to check it, we're doing firewood today and I'm paying by the hour. :glare: :biggrin:
Quote from: supsalemgr on August 17, 2015, 02:00:01 PM
Just to get this thread restarted I will make an observation. It seems many are looking for the entire illegal immigrant problem to be solved immediately and in total. I kind of like Trump's idea of starting with the illegals with criminal records. That is where probably 90% of our problems come from. Along with that a president can begin the process to get local law enforcement and the feds on the same page. Local folks know where the troublemakers are and can speed up the process. It is not a 60 day solution to fix a decades worth of mismanagement.
Absolutely agree, it's a perfect place to start.
The point of the thread is to show that, regardless of what the bleeding hearts want, it can be accomplished.
I'd be happy if they started to enforce the immigration laws and go for there. Without doing that, everything is just smoke and mirrors.
Quote from: supsalemgr on August 17, 2015, 02:00:01 PM
Just to get this thread restarted I will make an observation. It seems many are looking for the entire illegal immigrant problem to be solved immediately and in total. I kind of like Trump's idea of starting with the illegals with criminal records. That is where probably 90% of our problems come from. Along with that a president can begin the process to get local law enforcement and the feds on the same page. Local folks know where the troublemakers are and can speed up the process. It is not a 60 day solution to fix a decades worth of mismanagement.
It has been two decades that I know of. I think it could be done in 5 years, with out adding more law enforcement. Just us what we have and follow the laws. Give them all 2 weeks to go home then remove all subsidies at the end of the two week. They can get to the back of the line if they wish to come in the right way. Like all other legal aliens have after the law was passed.
Quote from: Solar on August 17, 2015, 02:10:31 PM
Thanks, I just moved it from the library since it only had 6 views? :huh:
I didn't have time to check it, we're doing firewood today and I'm paying by the hour. :glare: :biggrin:
I think you should also put this in the library also. It's a good reference article.
Quote from: walkstall on August 17, 2015, 04:55:30 PM
I think you should also put this in the library also. It's a good reference article.
It was originally here, no one commented, so I moved it to the library.
Always wondered why no one ever commented on it the first time.
Quote from: walkstall on August 17, 2015, 04:21:01 PM
It has been two decades that I know of. I think it could be done in 5 years, with out adding more law enforcement. Just us what we have and follow the laws. Give them all 2 weeks to go home then remove all subsidies at the end of the two week. They can get to the back of the line if they wish to come in the right way. Like all other legal aliens have after the law was passed.
The reasons for operation Wetback was troops returning from WW2 And Korea were having a hard time finding work at fair pay! Kind of like our unemployment problems now!
Quote from: Solar on August 17, 2015, 02:12:46 PM
Absolutely agree, it's a perfect place to start.
The point of the thread is to show that, regardless of what the bleeding hearts want, it can be accomplished.
No, it can't be done! It's impossible to deport 20 million ILLEGALS. It's impossible, I tell you! :lol:
While I agree with starting with the criminal element and a joint effort between Feds and locals, I beeive we could have a lot of them self deport if we initiated the following:
Being that all those who entered or remained illegally at expiration of a visa are technically committing a crime all proceeds of said crime, remaining in the USA Illegally, could be subject to seizure by Fed/Local govt. Proceeds could be bank accounts, real property and especially vehicles/boats etc. So I would issue the following ultimatum. Anyone illegally in the USA has a 90 day grace period to liquidate their assets and self deport. If after 90 days anyone in the US Illegally remaining would have ALL ASSETS SEIZED AS ProCeeds oF a cRIME.
That would starta rush for the exits.
Furthermore, anyone found to bring a minor illegally into the USA would be subject to a criminal penalty of a 25K fine and/or ten years in a Federal Prison.
That would stop the flow of trafficked children
Quote from: redbeard on August 17, 2015, 05:08:40 PM
The reasons for operation Wetback was troops returning from WW2 And Korea were having a hard time finding work at fair pay! Kind of like our unemployment problems now!
But that was when politicians cared about AMERICANS. Obama is embarrassed by America.
I wonder how many Mexican laborers are employed in CA agriculture. There is a Farm Workers Union, do they find the workers? Get them documented?
Quote from: Dori on August 17, 2015, 05:27:42 PM
I wonder how many Mexican laborers are employed in CA agriculture. There is a Farm Workers Union, do they find the workers? Get them documented?
Back in 2002 I was working on the USS Kennedy refit/ ESRA One day ICE showed up with 20 buses, 85 illegals working for subcontractors were caught and hauled off! This was a year after sept 11th with the base on high alert! They had security badges and allowed access to a capitol ship!
It is not bean picking jobs they are taking. They are undercutting skilled and semi skilled ship workers jobs!
Quote from: Dori on August 17, 2015, 05:27:42 PM
I wonder how many Mexican laborers are employed in CA agriculture. There is a Farm Workers Union, do they find the workers? Get them documented?
Most are legal as to having Green cards.
Quote from: Dori on August 17, 2015, 05:27:42 PM
I wonder how many Mexican laborers are employed in CA agriculture. There is a Farm Workers Union, do they find the workers? Get them documented?
Ceasar Chavez started that mess, they protect them as well....highly organized labor with big time kick backs to the labor organizers and Union gangsters...Chavez got rich on that.
Quote from: Billy's bayonet on August 17, 2015, 05:24:24 PM
While I agree with starting with the criminal element and a joint effort between Feds and locals, I beeive we could have a lot of them self deport if we initiated the following:
Being that all those who entered or remained illegally at expiration of a visa are technically committing a crime all proceeds of said crime, remaining in the USA Illegally, could be subject to seizure by Fed/Local govt. Proceeds could be bank accounts, real property and especially vehicles/boats etc. So I would issue the following ultimatum. Anyone illegally in the USA has a 90 day grace period to liquidate their assets and self deport. If after 90 days anyone in the US Illegally remaining would have ALL ASSETS SEIZED AS ProCeeds oF a cRIME.
That would starta rush for the exits.
Furthermore, anyone found to bring a minor illegally into the USA would be subject to a criminal penalty of a 25K fine and/or ten years in a Federal Prison.
That would stop the flow of trafficked children
Though I love the idea, it won't happen simply because in some states it would create a housing crisis, a glut of homes suddenly hitting the mkt.
I think it was Levin that discussed the idea and said the pressure from banks and lending institutions have a lot of clout and would never let it happen.
Personally, I say do it, let the chips fall where they may, let Wall St take a hit for a change, they've been sticking it to us for years, taking our tax dollars and never one single thank you, just another hand out asking for more.
Quote from: Billy's bayonet on August 17, 2015, 05:39:36 PM
Ceasar Chavez started that mess, they protect them as well....highly organized labor with big time kick backs to the labor organizers and Union gangsters...Chavez got rich on that.
We have a lot of agriculture in CA, as well as in other states. I don't think I've seen crop pickers that weren't from south of the border.
Quote from: walkstall on August 17, 2015, 04:21:01 PM
It has been two decades that I know of. I think it could be done in 5 years, with out adding more law enforcement. Just us what we have and follow the laws. Give them all 2 weeks to go home then remove all subsidies at the end of the two week. They can get to the back of the line if they wish to come in the right way. Like all other legal aliens have after the law was passed.
I agree Walks. When the bleeding heart liberals tie the hands of law enforcement, nothing can get done. Illegal to the libs is just another word for sick birds..The big handout we are giving these people needs to stop and if it gets stopped, they'll go home.
Quote from: Solar on August 17, 2015, 05:44:25 PM
Though I love the idea, it won't happen simply because in some states it would create a housing crisis, a glut of homes suddenly hitting the mkt.
I think it was Levin that discussed the idea and said the pressure from banks and lending institutions have a lot of clout and would never let it happen.
Personally, I say do it, let the chips fall where they may, let Wall St take a hit for a change, they've been sticking it to us for years, taking our tax dollars and never one single thank you, just another hand out asking for more.
Yeah and think how that would benefit the banks, the real estate market and all the folks who thrive off of "foreclosures" (Like Me.... :wink:)
Something else...you know how much money these people send OUT of the USA every day? My Son in Law manages a Big Food Lion that has a western Union. He says every Friday dozens of them crowd the WU booth sending thousands of dollars to LAtin American countries. That is one of their weak points, sending money "back home" easy way to trace the senders or trace the assets....or SHut down western Union cripple their asset allocation by demanding proof of legal residence.
Quote from: Dori on August 17, 2015, 06:14:34 PM
We have a lot of agriculture in CA, as well as in other states. I don't think I've seen crop pickers that weren't from south of the border.
They will be when we DEMAND the GOVERNMENT stop subsidizing able bodied adults.
Take a drive past the parks of our larger cities during the he day. Mostly adult blacks who prefer the dignity of sponging off the taxpayer rather than take the ONLY jobs they're qualified to do due to the poor decisions theyve made during their school years.
It's time able bodied Americans go back k to work -- or they don't eat!
Quote from: carlb on August 18, 2015, 04:52:20 AM
They will be when we DEMAND the GOVERNMENT stop subsidizing able bodied adults.
Take a drive past the parks of our larger cities during the he day. Mostly adult blacks who prefer the dignity of sponging off the taxpayer rather than take the ONLY jobs they're qualified to do due to the poor decisions theyve made during their school years.
It's time able bodied Americans go back k to work -- or they don't eat!
I will repeat my theory that if an able bodied person is on welfare they owe the payer 40 hours a week. Local governments can use them for all kinds of labor. By doing that we would have lot fewer people accepting welfare.
Quote from: supsalemgr on August 18, 2015, 06:18:13 AM
I will repeat my theory that if an able bodied person is on welfare they owe the payer 40 hours a week. Local governments can use them for all kinds of labor. By doing that we would have lot fewer people accepting welfare.
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We actually had something along those lines then Obamao axed it of course.....
I love the question I heard one of them asking Trump last night. "But what about the visuals of all those people being deported" Trump didn't answer it, but he should have, telling them what about the visuals of America enforcing her own borders and her own laws.