Interviewer
Mireya Loza
Project
Bracero Oral History
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
Custodio Navarrete Cardenas was born in Huazamota, Durango, México in 1932; His parents were farmers and had animals; Mr. Navarrete attended school for a very short period, less than a year; Navarrete had three sisters; they attended school while Mr. Navarrete worked with his father; Mr. Navarrete worked as a bracero picking cotton in Arizona.
Summary of Interview
Custodio Navarrete Cardeas worked with his father caring for animals in the field. Navarrete was hired as a bracero in 1961. He traveled to Calexico in order to know his future work place. The first city where Navarrete worked was in King City, California cutting lettuce and carrots. Navarrete lived with all the other workers close to the work place. He played cards in his free time with other workers, sometimes he won money but sometimes lost the check. Mr. Navarrete went back to Mexico after his contract. Navarrete was shot and was not able to return to work as a bracero. However, Mr. Navarrete returned to the United States without documentation and worked approximately seven years. Due to working in the bracero program he obtained the residency. Working as a bracero changed his life and also he moved with all his family to live in the United States.
Date of Interview
7-30-2008
Length of Interview
1 hour 17 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 1457
Transcript Number
No. 1457
Length of Transcript
40 pages
Transcriber
Unknown
Interview Number
No. 1457
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Custodio Navarrete Cárdenas by Mireya Loza, 2008, "Interview no. 1457," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Interview in Spanish.