1298
Interview in Spanish. Interviewee addressed as Adelino López Gutiérrez.
Summary of Interview
Mr. López describes the long lines and the actions taken by people in order to obtain an eligibility letter at Justo Sierra, Jalisco, Mexico; he traveled to the processing center in Empalme, Sonora, Mexico; he recalls the entire process, including lists of eligible workers, waiting times, and transportation; as part of the process, he was stripped and examined, which was embarrassing because their were women present; he traveled to the receiving center; he goes on to detail the camp size, living conditions, provisions, duties, payments, deductions, remittances, treatment, friendships, correspondence and recreational activities; he recalls the use of short-handled hoes and the nicknames the braceros gave to the foremen; he further details confrontations that occurred between braceros while working in the fields; many braceros would drink, go dancing, and visit with Mexican and American ladies on the weekends; after the program ended, he returned to the United States on several occasions, however, he did not arrange for residency; although he did suffer as a bracero, Mr. López states that his overall memories of the program are positive.