Interview Date: April 26, 1999
Interview Subject: Jose Rosa
Interviewer: A. Sanabria
Interview Language: Spanish

14-year old flees difficult and poor life and comes to the U.S.
only to come across more troubles.
Eventually he adapts

Where were you born?

I was born in Phila---in Puerto Rico.

When did you move to Philadelphia?

I moved here in 1949, [I was] around 19 or 20 years old.

Why did you leave your former place of residence?

I wasn't doing too well in Puerto Rico and I wanted a better life. Because the US was known as the island of opportunity, I decided to come here in search of a better life.

Why did you choose Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a lot of opportunity. Whenever people spoke about Philly in Puerto Rico, it was referred to as 'adonde cresca dinero de la tierra,' or 'where money grows from the ground.' I believed that there were many ways to make money in Philadelphia and went in search of it.

How did you get here?

I flew over by plane

How did you get money to come to Philadelphia?

I worked in Puerto Rico until I had enough money to come here. I put up with it because I thought that I could make up for the plane fare, once I got to Philly. I thought I could make more money than in Puerto Rico and faster.

Did you know anybody in Philadelphia?

Yes, my brother was living in Philadelphia at the time.

Did you come to Philadelphia alone?

Yes, I came here alone.

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

The difference between the two places was in Puerto Rico is always hot and warm and in Philadelphia it gets cold. Better and more opportunities and you can make more money here. And there's less of a violence level up there. At least, when I was there....

What did you expect of Philadelphia, when you moved?

I thought it would be big, lots of people.

What did you sacrifice, when you left?

My family, my friends.

What problems did you have, when you came over?

The problem I had, when I came was that I didn't know no English. Didn't know nobody, the only one I knew was my brother....

How did you get used to the new environment?

I took me a long time to get used to it.

And how did you get used to it?

[No response]

What kind of education did you have, when you came here?

I had no education... second grade dropout.

Did you ever regret your moving?

Yes, I did

Why?

...my family, I missed my family, I was here alone, I had to struggle, I was by myself struggling.