Experiences of Immigration to Homestead, Florida
The interviews from Homestead tell the experiences of immigrants and their hardships in coming to the United States to find work in agriculture. There are five interviews with immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Cuba, and Haiti. The interviewees range in age from their 20s to late 60s, and all currently live in or near Homestead.
The interviews were collected in March of 2008 by Dr. Dena Scher as part of a service learning experience for the psychology course, Group Dynamics. Dr. Scher and students Tracee Anderson and Brenda Hobbs worked at the Open House Ministry tutoring in the after-school program and helping in the squash fields. All of the interviews were transcribed by Tracee Anderson.
Echevaria,
Mercedes
Summary: Marygrove College professor Dena Scher interviews
Mercedes Echevaria about her experiences coming to the
United States from Cuba. Mercedes came to the United States
via Mexico in 1968 when she was around ten years old with
her mother and siblings. Mercedes' father came to the United
States a few years before to find work earn enough money to
bring his family.
Lerebours, Nulca
Summary: Marygrove College professor Dena Scher interviews
Nulca Lerebours about her experiences coming to the United
States from Haiti. Nulca came to the United States in 1968
at age 26 with her husband. Nulca speaks about her journey
from New York to Florida with her children, her involvement
with the church and community, and how Haitians are living
in Florida.
Perez, Cosmae
Summary: Marygrove College professor Dena Scher interviews
Cosmae Perez about his experiences working the United States
as a migrant. Cosmae was born in Mexico from Mexican
American parents. After he quit school at the age of
sixteen, Cosmae began to work - first locally and then as a
migrant worker.
Perez, Esperanza
Summary: Marygrove College professor Dena Scher interviews
Esperanza Perez about her experiences coming to the United
States from Mexico. Esperanza's mother crossed into Texas
while pregnant and gave birth so that Esperanza would be
registered as an American citizen. Esperanza lived in Mexico
and immigrated to the Unites States when she was nine.
Esperanza talks about migrant work and how she met her
husband, Cosmae, and their family.
Rodriguez,
Freddie
Summary: Marygrove College professor Dena Scher interviews
Freddie Rodriguez about his experiences coming to the United
States from El Salvador. Freddie came to the United States
in 1995 when he was seven years old with his siblings.
Rodriguez's parents came illegally to the United States a
few years before. In his first years in Florida, Freddie and
his brothers were set apart by their language barrier, but
they eventually overcame that obstacle.
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