Interviewer
Rosy Chivardi
Project
Bracero Oral History
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
Refugio Hernández was raised by his uncle, Loreto Hernández, who was born in Los Angeles, California; Refugio’s other uncle, Crescencio Alpidio Hernández Delgado, who was Loreto’s brother, was born in San Jose, California, in 1927; both of Refugio’s uncles and the rest of their family were repatriated in 1932, and went to Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México; Crescencio tried returning to the United States, but initially had great difficulties; during the 1940s and 1950s he worked in Arizona and California picking grapes, lettuce, limes, and oranges.
Summary of Interview
Mr. Hernández discusses his uncles, Loreto Hernández and Crescencio Alpidio Hernández Delgado, and the stories he heard about them as a child; Loreto, Crescencio, and the rest of their siblings were born in the United States, but they were all repatriated in 1932; they then moved to Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México; Crescencio tried returning to the United States, but initially had great difficulties due to his Pahuco style of dress; during the 1940s and 1950s he worked in Arizona and California picking grapes, lettuce, limes, and oranges; he also worked in El Paso, Texas unloading trucks; Refugio discusses the various instances of discrimination that his uncle encountered; he also describes the circumstances surrounding Crescencio’s death; moreover, he speaks about how working in the United States affected his uncle and their family.
Date of Interview
11-12-2005
Length of Interview
19 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 1098
Transcript Number
No. 1098
Length of Transcript
9 pages
Interview Number
No. 1098
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Refugio Hernández by Rosy Chivardi, 2005, "Interview no. 1098," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Interview in Spanish.