Immigration Stories

Interview Description Alejandro Magallon (37) and friend Cecilia Duarte (31) talk about food, singing and their lives. Facilitator Subject Log 01:00 Alejandro and Cecilia talk about their favorite breakfast foods. They talk about chilaquiles and cereals. 07:40 Cecilia talks about traveling and signing with the Houston Grand Opera. She is a mezzo-Soprano. 21:30 Cecilia talks about her inspirations as a singer. She also talks about her...

Interview Description Siblings Samuel Marin, 14, and Yanely Marin, 17, talk about memories of their father's illness, their family, their favorite movies and TV shows, their neighborhood and school, and their aspirations. Facilitator Subject Log 0:40 Siblings talk about their father's convulsions and stay in hospital six years ago. They reflect about how life changed for them. 13:55 Siblings discuss and admire their family's unity, especially in...

Interview Description Johnnie Marino (90) talks with nephew José Luis Gonzalez (60) about his ancestry and his time during World War II. Facilitator Subject Log 00:48 Johnnie was born in Colorado City, TX. His father was from Chihuahua, MX and worked for the railroad. His mother was from Valencia, Spain. 09:20 Johnnie talks about not finishing high school. He eventually took lower-level college courses as a "sub-student. " 11:00 Johnnie...

Interview Description Alma V Marquez (35) talks to her daughter Miquitzli Herrera (10) about meeting her biological father for the first time. Facilitator Subject Log 01:40 Alma talks about how he chose Miquitzli's name. The name was taken from the Aztec Calendar and it's the name of an Aztec goddess. 06:15 Alma describes when she first saw her daughter. Miquitzli was four months premature. 19:00 Alma talks about how she felt as a child...

Interview Description Luis Marquez talks to Anna Walters about his work on the fields, involvement with the United Farm Workers union, and his memories of and inspiration by Cesar Chavez. Facilitator Subject Log 00:40 LM talks about the place where he was born and his childhood and family. 2:15 First impressions of America. Intimidation at school because he did not speak English. 3:30 LM talks about working in the fields, his parents....

Interview Description Leticia Martinez (50) talks with her son David Arteaga (9) and daughter Ileanna Portillo (23) about her life. Facilitator Subject Log 01:20 Leticia begins by telling Ileanna what she dreams for her children. 06:15 Leticia talks about how important her children are. She talks about how important it is to send them to private school. 15:15 Leticia and Ileanna talk about the struggles they had when Ileanna was a senior...

Interview Description Leticia Martinez (51)and her husband, Everardo Martinez-Inzunza (54) talk about their family backgrounds, how they came to the US, and reflect on their Mexican-American identity. Facilitator Subject Log 00:53 Everardo shares his immigration story from Mexico. The US was not as he imagined it would be. He was now the minority and experienced racism. 06:38 Leticia talks about her background and how she came to the US. Her...

Interview Description Ofelia Sofia Mendoza habla con su amiga y compañera de trabajo, Martha Beltrán, acerca de su trabajo, los recuerdos de su niñez, la manero como afronta las dificultades de estar ciega y sus aspiraciones para el futuro. [Ofelia Sofia Mendoza talks to her friend and coworker Martha Beltrán about her work, her childhood memories, the ways in which she thrives despite being blind, and her future aspirations.] Facilitator Subject Log...

Interview Description Raul Mendoza (50) talks with his daughter, Dennise Rodriguez (30) about his childhood and his various careers. Raul talks at length about his career in the police department. Facilitator Subject Log 01:00 Raul was born in Mexico, and came to the US when he was in 6th grade. He talks about this transition. 10:34 Raul went to college for 2 years, where he met his wife. He wanted to be a police officer and a teacher....

Interview Description Maria Meza-Ayala (89) habla con su hija Maribel Meza (25) de su vida en Mexico. [Maria Meza-Ayala (89) talks with her daughter Maribel Meza (25) about her life in Mexico.] Facilitator Subject Log 01:20 Maria cuenta una historia de su papa en Mexico. El era "Cristero "y soldados lo mataron cuando Maria tenia 7 años. 08:10 Maria describe el rancho de su familia en Mexico. 22:00 Maria cuenta la historia de cuando pago...