Gil Villagran

Gil Villagran

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.

Acosta, Anais

Villagran, Gil

2005-07-27

Son of bracero

Institute of Oral History, The University of Texas at El Paso

spa

Gil Villagran

Acosta, Anais

Cristóbal A. Borges

Institute of Oral History, The University of Texas at El Paso

No

Mini Disc

51:29

24 bit
96 k

Acosta, Anais

Villagran, Gil

San Jose, California

Villagran_SJC007