1338
Interview in Spanish.
Summary of Interview
Mr. Corchado grew up in San Luis de Cordero, Durango; he recalls not going to school due to the lack of professors; he became a Bracero in 1956 where he was sent to Walco, Texas to harvest cotton; Mr. Corchado vividly describes having to pass medical examinations in order to get contracted as a Bracero; after being in Texas for 3 months Mr. Corchado was sent to fresno, California to harvest beetroot from 1956 to 1959; Mr. Corchado eventually returned to Texas where he harvested wheat, corn and beans; he recalls that Texas was the hardest place to live because of the harsh winters, many people slept with the stove on and some would asphyxiate and die due to the toxic gases released; Mr. Corchado would wake up every day at 5 am and work 8 hour shifts; he recalls getting paid $30 a week and getting taxed 10% of his check, to this day he has not received the 10% that was withheld from all his earnings; Mr. Corchado settled down and got married in Mexico; he had 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls; overall, as a Bracero Mr. Corchado has a positive experience of the program because it helped him care for his family.