Professor Johnson Discusses Role in Shaping California Museum Exhibit

Professor Emeritus Kevin R. Johnson served on the advisory board for a new California Museum exhibit, “Help Wanted/Leave Now: ‘Operation Wetback’ and the Revolving Door of Mass Deportation," on display through Jan. 10, 2027. 

Johnson explained his role in the exhibit that shares the stories of mass U.S. deportation campaigns targeting Mexican workers, despite the recruitment of Mexican immigrants to fill the labor shortages during and after World War II.

ABC10 interviewed him about how the exhibit parallels today's immigration crackdown led by President Donald Trump. 

“Unfortunately, I fear that we are repeating history and that we will look back on this time period as a very sad episode of U.S. history,” Johnson said.

Kevin R. Johnson is a distinguished professor of law and Chicanx Studies emeritus and director of the Aoki Center. He is the former Mabie/Apallas Professor of Public Interest Law and he served as dean of UC Davis Law from 2008 to 2024. Johnson is an internationally recognized scholar in the fields of immigration law and policy, refugee law and civil rights.