Interviewee

Jesus Flores

Interviewer

Mónica Pelayo

Project

Bracero Oral History

Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee

Jesus Flores was born on April 15, 1925 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México; he grew up in a small town outside Guadalajara, and worked with his parents in a ranch; in 1951, he joined the bracero program and worked on and off in it for nine years; he worked in California.

Summary of Interview

Mr. Flores remembers his childhood in Jalisco, México, and working in agriculture with his parents; he states that he did not go to school and that he worked in his parents’ ranch until he was twenty-two years old; furthermore, he recalls getting his first bracero contract in 1951; he describes what the contract lengths were like, how he renewed his contract every six months, and how he was able to remain a bracero after eighteen months by crossing into México and then signing up for it again; additionally, he explains the contracting process and having to pick cotton for twenty days to acquire his pass to get contracted in Empalme, Sonora, México; he recounts paying a lawyer to help him get his visa in 1960, and how it was difficult because he did not have civil papers because they had been burnt by Cristeros.

Date of Interview

5-22-2006

Length of Interview

45 minutes

Tape Number

No. 1191

Transcript Number

No. 1191

Length of Transcript

20 pages

Interview Number

No. 1191

Terms of Use

Unrestricted

Comments

Interview in Spanish.

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