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Migrant Workers of the Virginia Tidewater

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 long lasting 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.

Below are several excerpts from our full interview with Mateo Gomez. We couldn't incorporate Gomez's story into our main article or supplementary videos, but his knowledge and experience is still valuable if you would like another window into the lives of migrant workers in the Tidewater region. 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 Long He Has Been in the United States

Did Mateo Stay in the Same Place as He Stayed with his Previous Contracts?

Learning of Issues and Eventually Working Elsewhere

How American Politics Has Affected His 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.