Wetback (slur)
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Wetback is a derogatory term for a Mexican or Central American who is in the United States of America. The term reflects the assumption that all Mexicans cross the southern border of the U.S by either swimming or wading across the Rio Grande. "Wetback" is also a blanket term sometimes used to describe anyone of the Mestizo race. The English term was first used in 1920s and saw official use by the U.S. Government in 1954 with Operation Wetback. It is used interchangeably with the Spanish term, mojado.
The Spanish-language translation espalda mojada – or, more tersely, mojado – is used in a similar sense by Hispanic Americans. Espalda mojada is also used in an equally pejorative way in Spain to refer to illegal immigrants from Morocco who cross the Straits of Gibraltar.
The term is somewhat similar to "Green Collar" (a play on White Collar & Blue Collar), which can also be used when referring to illegal immigrants. The term Beaner is another derogatory term that refers to the bean as a staple of the Mexican diet and is used interchangeably with wetback. Other similar terms are Fenceclimber, Wallpeople, and Barrierbreecher (in reference to those who climb the fence in the U.S.-Mexico border).
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