1317
Interview in Spanish.
Summary of Interview
Mrs. Sosa briefly recalls her family and childhood; she remembers hearing stories about her father working in the United States; she recalls that when her father first heard about the bracero program he rode his horse to the neighboring town to invite and encourage other men to enlist; she briefly details the process, including lists of eligible workers and modes of transportation to and from the center; her father travelled by bus to the processing center in Empalme, Sonora, Mexico; Mrs. Sosa states that many of the men went without eating so as not to lose their place in line; her father and other men were forced to pick cotton in Empalme, Sonora, Mexico; her father was contracted in Empalme and entered the United States through Caléxico; as part of the process, her father was medically examined and fumigated; he told her that a friend of his was detained by immigration officials for several days and when he returned to the camp, his head had been shaved; she recalls that he labored in the fields of California picking grapes, lettuce, and strawberries; he worked eight hours a day, six days a week; he would send money home as often as possible; Mrs. Sosa recalls that her father was upset that a doll he purchased for her was taken away by officials in Sonorita; he also bought her a typewriter because he wanted her to study; she briefly mentions the ten percent pay deductions and how they had hoped to receive it; she states that although her father did suffer as a bracero, his overall memories of the program were positive.