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Migrant Workers of the Virginia Tidewater

Josue Morales

Josue Morales decided to travel to Virginia for work after he earning a Business Administration degree in Guatemala and his brother told him about working opportunities within the United States. Mr. Morales decided that he wanted to work for himself and came to live with his brother when he was 21. In the following interview, Mr. Morales talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted his work and discussed how changes in politics have affected his life.

Below are several excerpts from our full interview with Josue Morales. Some of these clips were included in our telling of this story. Some are not! You can view all of our clips below, and the full interview can be located at the bottom of the page.

THE BELOW INTERVIEWS ARE IN SPANISH / ESPAÑOL.
ENGLISH CAPTIONS PROVIDED.

How He Thinks His experience and Stories Affect His Family

How COVID Affected His Work

The Effects of Politics on His Job

Settling in Virginia for Work

Full Oral History Interview

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5. Gregorio Lucas Caspar Mr. Gregorio Lucas Caspar is a part of the Virginia Tidewater Main Street Project. Mr. Caspar came from Mexico to continue working in agriculture along with his brother and sister. In his interview he talks about his experience working on farms in the United States. His job as well as his friends’ and familys’ jobs have been affected greatly by the pandemic as well as new policies within the United States.
10. Mateo Gomez Mr. Mateo Gomez is a migrant worker from the Chesapeake Bay area. He talks about how he has adapted to working on the coast during times of political and social change as well as the effects it has on him and his family. Mr. Gomez discusses the language barrier challenges in the working environment that he is in and how it is important to rely on the workers like they are family. Working together creates a longlasting bond that carries them throughout the season until their contract is up and pushes them to work hard not only for the company but for their families that they are supporting.

THE BELOW INTERVIEWS ARE IN SPANISH / ESPAÑOL.ENGLISH CAPTIONS PROVIDED.