History of South America

What were the Mexicans who entered United States illegally called?

"Wetbacks" is a derogatory term used to describe Mexicans who entered the United States illegally. The term was first used in the early 1900s when Mexicans began to cross the Rio Grande into the United States in large numbers. The term "wetback" refers to the fact that many of these migrants crossed the river by swimming or wading through the water.