Interviewee: Jose Manuel Alicea
Interviewer: Ileana Alicea
Relationship: Father
Date: January 15, 2002

I just made some bad choices that I deeply regret

What is your full name?

Jose Manuel Alicea, you know that!

What is your nationality?

I'm Puertorican

What is your date of birth?

September, 12 1964

Where were you born?

Guayama, Puerto Rico

When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S.) to Philadelphia?

1985

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?

Looking for a better way of life, economically.

What did you like/dislike about your home/country?

I disliked the place, but I liked the climate.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Because I had roots here, a family member, aunt.

How did you travel here?/What type of transportation did you use/take to travel here? How would you change that?

Airplane; if there was a bridge from there to here.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

With my aunt's help.

With whom did you travel? [Who did you travel with?]

With my aunt.

Give 1 thing you remember most about your home town and why?

I would say, my childhood, because of the different past times.

How did your life change when you moved and what were the differences between the two places?

It changed in a fast maner, because of the big city, compared to Guayama.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I expected to be able to make a lot of money.

What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you feel you still need to do?

Securing a better future for my family - being you, I still need to accomplish that.

What are the differences between when you came here and now?

Cost of living, it increased, and you have to have more qualifications to get jobs.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

A familiar place.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?

Legal problems.

How much money did you have and where did you get it when you came to Philly/US?

I had about 200 [dollars], working in Puerto Rico.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

It was difficult blending in.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

What the future holds for you, my daughter.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

It's the same, I have a GED and refrigeration abilities.

Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?

No, because the opportunities are still here, I just didn't know how to appreciate them.

What reason would/could make you go back to where you came from?

Retirement.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, where did you get money?

Refrigeration/technician.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Yes, Philadelphia is a great place full of many opportunities, I just made some very bad choices that I deeply regret. One of them, the most important is not keeping my family intact, because of my selfish desires, which have ruined my dreams.