Interviewer
Myrna Parra-Mantilla
Project
Bracero Oral History
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
Francisco García Carrillo was born in Cusihuiriachi, Chihuahua, México, in 1933; his father was a rancher; at the age of seven, he would help his father work; later, when he was fourteen, he began working in the mines; because working in the mines was such a dangerous job, he decided to go to Chihuahua, Chihuahua, to be hired as a bracero; he began working as a bracero when he was only eighteen years old; he worked in Texas and New Mexico.
Summary of Interview
Mr. García recalls that during the hiring process, people from the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Durango, and Zacatecas received privileges; during the general hiring process, American officials would ask people if cotton and apples could be picked the same way; anyone who answered that they could, would be dismissed; Mr. García also remembers that he and his friends would drink milk prior to taking X-rays so that their lungs would appear healthy and clean; after working as a bracero for a time, he was promoted to steward; during the holidays, the braceros would celebrate by grilling chicken for dinner and drinking beer; the Mexican Counsel was helpful in resolving any problems braceros may have encountered.
Date of Interview
5-9-2003
Length of Interview
41 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 971
Transcript Number
No. 971
Length of Transcript
21 pages
Interview Number
No. 971
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Francisco García Carrillo by Myrna Parra-Mantilla, 2003, "Interview no. 971," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Interview in Spanish.