The Biography of José G. Ocampo-The Life Story of an Undocumented Worker in the Salinas Valley

This is the biography of José Ocampo. José was born in El Remolino, Zacatecas, Mexico in 1928. Living a dire and unrelenting poverty he choice to come to America in search of the American Dream. At the age of sixteen José crossed the international border as an undocumented worker. José worked as a field worker in the Salinas Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. He endured discrimination as an undocumented worker and abuse as a bracero. For an extended period, José traveled aimlessly from town to town due to personal problems that he was unable to reconcile. In time he tired of the wandering lifestyle and returned to Mexico to marry a local girl. During his journey in North America he led a labor strike, joined the Labor’s International Union of North America, and became a leader in the Catholic Cursillo Movement. Through his courage and foresight, he positively changed the social and economic trajectory of my life and the life of my siblings. His auspicious actions have brought prosperity to present and future generations of Ocampos. I am forever grateful that my father crossed the international border. His crossing meant that I did not have to cross the border.