California Museum to Debut Landmark Exhibition on a Century of U.S. Mass Deportations

SACRAMENTO, CA — Following the 72nd anniversary of one of the largest mass deportation efforts in American history, the California Museum will open “Help Wanted / Leave Now: ‘Operation Wetback’ & the Revolving Door of Mass Deportation.” Opening to the public on August 13, 2026, the exhibition uncovers a century-long history of U.S. enforcement campaigns that targeted Mexican immigrants and American citizens alike, revealing a pattern foundational to the nation’s labor system yet rarely taught in classrooms.

Centered around the coerced emigration of the 1930s and the Eisenhower-era “Operation Wetback” deportation campaign, “Help Wanted / Leave Now” will examine how Mexicans—historically the largest Latino immigrant group—have repeatedly been recruited to sustain American industry (without access to citizenship), only to be expelled in the hundreds of thousands during times of economic anxiety and political scapegoating.

“Help Wanted / Leave Now” tells the story of repeated mass recruitment and betrayal,” said Dolores Huerta, labor and civil rights leader and member of the exhibit’s advisory council. “The United States has a history of recruiting people to come here in times of need or crisis and then deporting and maligning them in times of political convenience. It’s a constant cycle of hypocrisy, and the story needs to be told: immigrants built the economy in the United States, and people must not forget that.”

Developed with guidance from an advisory committee including Huerta, academics and other subject matter experts, the first-of-its-kind exhibition will explore how labor and deportation policies shaped the lives of immigrant farm workers, miners, railroad laborers and their families across generations. Themes of belonging, memory and resistance will run throughout, connecting past injustices to the ongoing cycle of recruitment and removal that continues today. Through firsthand accounts, rare photographs, historical artifacts and interactive elements, the show will not only confront difficult truths but honor the resilience and cultural legacy of Latinos whose labor has underpinned much of the country’s economic growth.

“The California Museum’s mission is to reflect the full story of our communities: past, present, and future—the good and the dark chapters,” said Pablo Espinoza, member of both the California Museum board and the exhibit’s advisory council. “We recognize current realities and are committed to providing historical context, understanding, and perspective through our exhibits and programs. Our ‘Operation Wetback’ exhibit encourages visitors to reflect on the impact some episodes of history continue to have on our immigrant community, and to recognize the positive value that immigrants have brought and still bring to our state and country.”

Following its debut in Sacramento, the exhibition will be made available as a traveling installation for museums, libraries and other institutions nationwide. Designed with language accessibility in mind, “Help Wanted / Leave Now” will be a fully bilingual display, presented in both English and Spanish.

EXHIBIT ADVISORY COUNCIL
• Martha Escutia, former California state senator and lecturer in law at the USC Gould School of Law
• Pablo Espinoza, California Museum board member and deputy director of communications for the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
• Juan R. Garcia, professor of history emeritus, University of Arizona, and author of “Operation Wetback: The Mass Deportation of Mexican Undocumented Workers in 1954”
• Kelly Lytle Hernandez, professor of history and African American studies and The Thomas E. Lifka Endowed Chair in History, UCLA
• Dolores Huerta, labor and civil rights leader
• Kevin R. Johnson, Distinguished Professor of Law, Mabie-Apallas Professor of Public Interest Law and professor of Chicana/o Studies, UC Davis
• Ronald Mize, professor of ethnic studies and women, gender, and sexuality studies, Oregon State University

INTERVIEW AVAILABILITY
Interviews with members of the Exhibit Advisory Council are available by request. To schedule an interview or an onsite preview of the exhibit, please email Danielle Wood, Communications & Marketing Director at the California Museum: dwood@californiamuseum.org

For a downloadable press kit, including images and image credits, CLICK HERE.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA MUSEUM
The California Museum—home of the California Hall of Fame—focuses on the state’s rich history, its diversity and its unique influence on the world of ideas, innovation, art and culture. Through interactive experiences, the Museum inspires visitors to make a mark on history. Located at 1020 O Street in the March Fong Eu Secretary of State complex, the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $8-$10. Plan a visit at californiamuseum.org