Gil Villagran
Title
Gil Villagran
Description
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee: Gil Villagran was born in 1948, in Mexico City, México; he is the son of an ex-bracero; his father joined the bracero program in 1943; at age five, his parents migrated to the United States; he is a retired social worker, and a professor at the University of California in San Jose.
Summary of Interview: Mr. Villagran recalls his early life in Mexico City, México, and the work his parents did in the city; he relates stories his father told him about the bracero program; he remembers his father telling him that he was forced to join the program because he could not find work; Mr. Villagran’s father became a bracero in 1943, and worked in railroad, as well as picking vegetables; additionally, he describes that his father had to cut and bruise his hands when he applied to become a bracero because they were only taking field workers; he also details his father’s experience in the contracting center, his trip to the border, and the fumigation process; moreover, he recounts the relationship his parents had while his father was in the United States, their decision to migrate to the U.S. after the program was terminated, and his memories of what his father did for work; he concludes by stating that, notwithstanding the ill treatment his father received at times, the program was beneficial for his family.
Summary of Interview: Mr. Villagran recalls his early life in Mexico City, México, and the work his parents did in the city; he relates stories his father told him about the bracero program; he remembers his father telling him that he was forced to join the program because he could not find work; Mr. Villagran’s father became a bracero in 1943, and worked in railroad, as well as picking vegetables; additionally, he describes that his father had to cut and bruise his hands when he applied to become a bracero because they were only taking field workers; he also details his father’s experience in the contracting center, his trip to the border, and the fumigation process; moreover, he recounts the relationship his parents had while his father was in the United States, their decision to migrate to the U.S. after the program was terminated, and his memories of what his father did for work; he concludes by stating that, notwithstanding the ill treatment his father received at times, the program was beneficial for his family.
Creator
Acosta, Anais
Villagran, Gil
Date
2005-07-27
Subject
Son of bracero
Rights
Institute of Oral History, The University of Texas at El Paso
Language
spa
title (Spanish)
Gil Villagran
creator (Spanish)
Acosta, Anais
contributor (Spanish)
Cristóbal A. Borges
Rights Holder
Institute of Oral History, The University of Texas at El Paso
Online Submission
No
Original Format
Mini Disc
Duration
51:29
Bit Rate/Frequency
24 bit
96 k
96 k
Interviewer
Acosta, Anais
Interviewee
Villagran, Gil
Location
San Jose, California
File Name Identifier
Villagran_SJC007
Citation
Acosta, Anais and Villagran, Gil, “Gil Villagran,” Bracero History Archive, accessed August 28, 2024, https://braceroarchive.org/items/show/140.