Immigration Stories

Interview Description José "Joe "Aguilar (24) and his sister Beatriz Aguilar (17) talk about growing in in racially tense South Central Los Angeles. Facilitator Subject Log 01:30 José and his parents moved to South Central Los Angeles from Hollywood when he was seven. He talks about experiencing the LA Riots of 1992. 06:50 José talks about being a minority in his high school. He talks about being called a "White Boy "because he spoke English fluently....

Interview Description Friends Gustavo Alvarez, 18, and Adrian Rodriguez, 17, talk about school, their plans for the future and aspirations, their families, and their friendship. Facilitator Subject Log 1:10 Friends talk about extracurricular activities and school schedules. 6:10 GA talks about moving from Mexico at age 7 and the changes that took place after his arrival. 10:15 Friends share happiest memories of their lives....

Interview Description Lorenzo Mariano Andre, de 87 años, le cuenta a la facilitadora Anna Walters, de 27 años, sobre su vida laboral, su inmigración a Estados Unidos como parte del Program Bracero, su envolvimiento durante las huelgas de la unión de campesinos (UFW, por sus siglas en Inglés) y sus recuerdos de líder y fundador de la unión, Cesar Chavez. [Lorenzo Mariano Andre, 87, talks to Mobile Facilitator Anna Walters, 27, about his work life, his immigration to the United States as a participant...

Interview Description Cid Kallen (28) interviews his friend and boss, José Angel de la Vara (62) about his poetry, upbringing, his experiences as a lawyer, and his love of Yuma. Facilitator Subject Log 01:37 José explains how he became a poet and reads one of his poems. 07:48 José talks about his upbringing and schooling in Yuma. 15:30 José ends up attending college and law school. He has been a lawyer for 33 years. 18:51 José...

Interview Description Frank Aranza (80) is interviewed by Evelyn McKnight (81) about growing up in Houston, TX and enlisting in the military at 15 years old. Facilitator Subject Log 1:00 Facilitator, Nina Porzucki reads a paper describing Frank's family history 10:00 Frank was born on the northside of Houston; school in Houston; segregated from other students because he was not able to speak English 17:08 Americans of Mexican descent;...

Interview Description Hope Arce (72) talks with her niece Minerva Pérez McEnelly (54) about the discrimination she has faced as a Mexican-American and family genealogy. Facilitator Subject Log 3:17 descrimination that Emilio (Hope's father) faced; he was left handed and he never learned to read or write 9:02 punished at school for speaking Spanish; family of firsts; first Sheriff of Alamo; Minerva was punished for speaking Spanish in the first...

Interview Description Carolyn Benitez (54) interviews her friend, Cirilo Arteaga (85) about his life experiences as a Mexican American, including his childhood and schooling in Wichita, his work as an interpreter, and his involvement in sports. Facilitator Subject Log 01:13 Cirilo recalls his childhood neighborhood, growing up in the barrio area of Wichita, KS. 04:37 Cirilo talks about his parents, their experience crossing the border, and what they...

Interview Description Noel and Diandra interview their mother, Diana, about her family history and their identity as 3rd Generation Americans of Mexican descent. Facilitator Subject Log 4:17 As the story goes, Diana's grandmother was struggling to provide for her mother, her sister, and her children. She heard Pancho Villa was nearby and she approached him and asked for help. He gave her food and medicine. 6:14 When she came to the US she only had...

Interview Description José "Joe" Barrera (63) talks with son Juan Barrera about his childhood and his identity as a Chicano. Facilitator Subject Log 02:00 José talks about being from the Southeast portion of Texas, specifically a town called Mercedes, TX near Brownsville, TX. He talks about his earliest memory there. 04:49 José talks about the day Juan was born. He remembers Juan being born at home with a midwife and describes the scene....

Interview Description José Barrios Ureño, 89, habla con su nieta Cindy Mosqueda, 29, sobre su niñez en México, su migración a los Estados Unidos, sus orgullos y su familia. [José Barrios Ureño, 89, talks to his granddaughter Cindy Mosqueda, 29, about his childhood in Mexico, his migration to the United States, his proudest accomplishments, and his family.] Facilitator Subject Log 3:05 JB habla de cuando vino a Salinas, California, como participante en...