Interviewer
Myrna Parra-Mantilla
Project
Bracero Oral History
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
Roberto Ponce Covarrubias was born in Camargo, Chihuahua, México in 1929; he helped his father work the land; his father was 108 years old when he passed away, and his mother was 104 years old when she passed; both he and his brother decided to enroll in the Bracero Program; he worked for ten years as a bracero in Texas and New Mexico.
Summary of Interview
Mr. Ponce and his brother decided to enroll in the Bracero Program due to their family’s financial difficulties; when they were taken to Rio Vista, a processing center in Socorro, Texas, they were deloused and given a blood test; they were offered help when filling out work contracts; Mr. Ponce’s first work contract took him to Las Cruces, New Mexico; the worst place he worked was Lamesa, Texas; he recalls that the graveyards near the ranch were said to have been for the braceros; he sent money to his family via certified mail.
Date of Interview
6-12-2003
Length of Interview
34 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 986
Transcript Number
No. 986
Length of Transcript
26 pages
Interview Number
No. 986
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Roberto Ponce Covarrubias by Myrna Parra-Mantilla, 2003, "Interview no. 986," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Interview in Spanish.