From what people have told me --- "wetback" was someone who came here to work --- usually for the day or week --- work on a temporary basis and they'd go back to Mexico. That's why I think it's inappropriate to call most of the illegals "wetback" --- they aren't here to temporarily work, most are bringing in families for taxpayers to support and they plan never to return to Mexico but to mooch off US taxpayers for their entire lives. There is something more noble about the traditional wetback --- he never asked for handouts, he didn't expect free anything. I wouldn't insult them by using that term on the leeches.