Interviewer
Laureano Martínez
Project
Bracero Oral History
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
David Salcido was born on November 23, 1944, in Durango, Durango, México; he is the youngest of nine siblings; at an early age, he started working in agriculture; he enlisted in the Bracero Program in 1964; during this time, he worked in Colorado cleaning sugar beet fields.
Summary of Interview
Mr. Salcido remembers a hard childhood that forced him to work at an early age so he could help his family economically; these hardships led him to enlist in the Bracero Program in 1964; he worked in Colorado cleaning sugar beet fields; additionally, he describes the hiring process, the contracting center in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México, the difficulties he endured there, and the train trip to the México-United States border in cattle cars; furthermore, he explains how the reception center in El Paso, Texas worked, the disinfection procedures they endured and the signing of his contract; he continues to recount the bad treatment they received, and how he felt that they were treated as animals; moreover, he narrates the daily activities on the farm, how the work was performed, their housing, and the food they ate; he discusses the good relationship he had with other braceros and the activities they did during weekends; in addition, he recalls the types of contracts he had, their lengths, and the way ranchers treated him; he states the benefits of having been a bracero, what the term bracero means to him and why he has fond memories of the experience.
Date of Interview
6-3-2003
Length of Interview
40 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 1019
Transcript Number
No. 1019
Length of Transcript
39 pages
Interview Number
No. 1019
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with David Salcido Martínez by Laureano Martínez, 2003, "Interview no. 1019," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Interview in Spanish.