Fatima Sosa

Oral History of Rufino Calleja

An immigration topic. Interview to Rufino Calleja personal experience and opinions about immigration. A 53-year-old man that immigrate also subjection of what the government should do to help immigration.

“My name is Rufino Calleja I was born in Izucar de Matamoros Puebla Mexico I was born on July 19 of 1955.”

My life before moving to the United States it was normal just working for the family. The decision I made was because my family and me had a lot of needs. The place I arrive I did like it because you live more comfortable and1 there job. Thanks to god I had never had a need of one after I got the United States. It was hard adapting to the language yes (laughing) yes. My life before the move it was a little hard in economic and it was difficult my life style. So I think that what cause me to make that decision.

Now is funny the transportation that I use to come to the united states (smile). Walk sometimes by foot and other walking (laughing). It was sad for me to leave my country specially my family also my friend. Everything was sad. Uu… I fealt very happy when I got here and with a lot of energy. I always though that one day I had to get to the United States that was my illusion so I could work and keep on going. Yes I had a dream it was to get to the United States first in formal and the basic was to be resident and be a legal immigrant so I could work. I did accomplish my dream yes! (Tears in the face touching his face) yes to be happy.

Well my decision was for the good of my family and me in order to survive. Yes I do think that others had the same experience or even worst. They had fall but we all go throw the same every immigrant. Nothing happened to stop me no. No. Nothing just the economic was the issue. No not really I just new that this move was a big deal so my life style is better. I miss my family everything yes. I did not though about leaving twist. (Pause about 10 sec) they’re a lot of difficulties with the people on my country a lot of problems. Well in my personal opinion I think is good that the government is interested in the immigrant people. Because well the big dream of any immigrant is to have money, be healthy, and be happy. Also to be able to work with out bean afraid to be deported.

I'm not thinking of going to my country maybe later on. But if I do I will be to visit the family as a trip maybe yea. I think that yea is that some times there person like me that where not able to get a good education. Cause of the same reason that economic is not good so many people find them self really frustrated so they more around. Because we not having a good education so they ignore us. When we talk I think we just waist our time cause they don’t do changes and doe they don’t now is affecting us. Also the government doesn’t have enough money and jobs to help us out. There not enough for all of us and I think that people who are able to communicate with the government well is good for them but I did not have communication so that why I had to move to be able to over come the economic issues. (Crying face with tears) I was really happy and also not afraid of getting deported cause I became a legal immigrant. That am able to work without being afraid but I still got a dream that I need to be accomplish and that to be able to legalizes my family. Is grad that you able to interview me because I think that people should be able to now that people immigrate because they want a better life. I also think that the goverment should come up of some ways to help the immigrants.