Interviewer
Cristóbal Borges
Project
Bracero Oral History
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
Alberto Vásquez Rojas was born in Pénjamo, Guanajuato; His parents were farmers; Vásquez worked in the field and took care of animals since he was a child; He attended school for two years; Mr. Vásquez worked as a bracero picking beets, pears and oranges in Riverside and Court-land.
Summary of Interview
Mr. Vásquez started working in the fields at a very young age. Vásquez found out about the bracero program and traveled to Empalme, Sonora to get hired. The next stop of the journey was Calexico Mexicali. Finally, Vásquez started work picking beets and oranges in Riverside, California. In 1957, Vásquez returned to Arizona as a bracero to pick cotton, lettuce, carrots and other vegetables. He received the American residency with the help of the company he worked with, called J. Wood Company. Mr. Vásquez worked thirty-one years with the same company. He received the foreman position and earned a salary of $300 per day. The bracero program was a positive experience because he got a better life for his family and also because he received the American residency.
Date of Interview
1-12-2008
Length of Interview
60 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 1385
Transcript Number
No. 1385
Length of Transcript
34 pages
Transcriber
Unknown
Interview Number
No. 1385
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Alberto Vásquez Rojas by Cristóbal Borges, 2008, "Interview no. 1385," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Interview in Spanish.