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Oral history interview with Sumitra Chhetri

This oral history interview with Sumitra Chhetri was conducted by Sankar Raman on March 19, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Chhetri discusses her early life in a camp for Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. She describes the educational system in the camp, as well as her social life and daily activities. She talks about the process of resettling in the United States in 2008; describes her experience attending high school in Portland, Oregon; and discusses learning English as a second language. She talks about studying political science at Portland State University and her future plans, including her intention to attend law school and run for office. Sankar Raman shares advice for seeking out career mentors. Chhetri closes the interview by discussing the challenges she has faced as a first-generation immigrant.

Chhetri, Sumitra, 1993-

Oral history interview with Fowzia Ibrahim

This oral history interview with Fowzia Ibrahim was conducted by Don Schwartz on April 4, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Ibrahim discusses her early life in Boise, Idaho, as a Somalian refugee, including the different ways that she and her parents adjusted to American life. She describes her desire to help people and her plans for her future career. She also talks about being bullied in elementary school. She talks about coming to Portland, Oregon, in 2014 and how her experience there differed from her experience in Idaho. She discusses being the oldest of twelve children, her ethnic and cultural identity, and making friends in high school in Portland. She closes the interview by discussing her preparations for college and plans for the future.

Ibrahim, Fowzia, 2001-

Oral history interview with Prashant Kakad

This oral history interview with Prashant Kakad was conducted by Sankar Raman on July 20, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Kakad discusses his early life in India, including his father's career in the Air Force and later as a police officer in Bombay. He describes life in Bombay as a teenager, the pressure to succeed at education in the sciences, and his passion for music and dance. He talks about competing in singing competitions in high school, attending Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai, and organizing cultural events at his college. He describes applying to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Kakad discusses his experience studying polymer science and working as a research assistant at Cornell University. He talks about adjusting to life in the United States, realizing that he didn't want to pursue a career in chemical engineering, and rediscovering his passion for dance and music. He discusses dealing with body image issues and depression. He then talks about moving to Hillsboro, Oregon, and working for Intel; learning and performing classical Indian singing; and teaching his own dance choreography based on Bollywood music. He also gives a brief history of Bollywood music. He describes quitting his job at Intel in 2009 and beginning his career as a DJ. He then talks about the process of getting his green card. He closes the interview by discussing people who helped him succeed.

Kakad, Prashant (Prashant Ashok), 1982-

Oral history interview with Abood Aldabea

This oral history interview with Abood Aldabea was conducted by Sankar Raman on May 18, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Aldabea's family was present, and they occasionally contributed in Arabic. An unidentified neighbor was also present.

In this interview, Aldabea discusses his early life in Damascus, Syria, including his education, family, and neighborhood. He also describes some of his favorite Syrian foods. He shares his memories of the civil war in Syria, including being gassed by the Syrian military while heading home from his mosque and bombings in his neighborhood. He talks about fleeing to Jordan, and about life in Jordan as a Syrian refugee. He describes the process of being resettled in the United States in 2014. The unidentified neighbor talks about helping Aldabea's family get established in Portland, Oregon. Aldabea talks about adjusting to life in Portland, his education, and his involvement in sports. He closes the interview by discussing learning English as a second language, his friends, and his plans for the future.

Aldabea, Abood (Abdulelah), 2002-

Oral history interview with Jhoana Monroy-Espinoza

This oral history interview with Jhoana Monroy-Espinoza was conducted by Sankar Raman on February 5, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Espinoza discusses her early life in Pachuca, Mexico, and the journey to the United States in 1997. She talks about life as an undocumented immigrant in Beaverton, Oregon, including her education and the racial discrimination she and her family faced. She then talks about becoming a teenage parent and refocusing on her education. She talks about marrying her partner and being denied a green card due to her undocumented status; the deportation of some of her family members; and applying for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. She talks about studying at Portland Community College and her plans for the future. She closes the interview by discussing the stress of living with undocumented status, the systemic racism in the United States, and her work with the Dream Center.

Monroy-Espinoza, Jhoana, 1991-

Oral history interview with Ruben Estrada-Herrera

This oral history interview with Ruben Estrada-Herrera was conducted by Sankar Raman on February 15, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Estrada-Herrera discusses his early life in Santiago, Cuba, including the festival of Carnavales, his education, and Cuban culture. He describes the process of immigrating to the United States in 2011. He talks about his life in Portland, Oregon, including his parents' careers, his education, and learning English as a second language. He discusses earning scholarships, choosing to attend Warner Pacific University, and studying bio-medical engineering. He closes the interview by talking about his plans for the future and his thoughts on the American Dream.

Estrada-Herrera, Ruben, 1995-

Oral history interview with Hanin Najjar

This oral history interview with Hanin Najjar was conducted by Ibrahim Ibrahim on December 19, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Najjar discusses the reasons her parents came to the United States from Saudi Arabia shortly after she was born. She talks about gender roles in Saudi Arabian culture, her ethnic and cultural identity, and wearing the hijab as an expression of her feminism. She also talks about discrimination she has experienced as a Muslim. Najjar discusses her plans for the future, including studying journalism at Pacific University and pursuing a career as a journalist.

Najjar, Hanin, 1999-

Oral history interview with Masumi Timson

This oral history interview with Masumi Timson was conducted by Sankar Raman and Giacomo Ranieri on March 19, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Timson discusses her early life on Tokunoshima Island in Japan, including Japanese cultural practices and her early education. She describes her first time hearing the koto and her subsequent fascination with the instrument, as well as growing up in a musical family. She talks about studying koto music at Seiha Conservatory of Traditional Japanese Music while also studying English at Kansai Junior College (now known as Kansai Gaidai College) in Hirakata, Osaka. She describes the reception her koto performances received in Oregon and how that inspired her to become much more serious about her music. She talks about her marriage to Stephen F. Timson in 1977 and immigrating to the United States in 1991. She also describes some of the mechanics of the koto. She talks about teaching koto at the Willamette University Koto Club, performing in Oregon and Japan, and her longtime collaboration with Pink Martini. She also talks about her koto collection. She discusses her cultural and ethnic identity, particularly how the koto helps her keep her connection to her Japanese roots. She closes the interview by talking about the future of koto music in Japan, Japanese traditions and culture, and her koto students.

Timson, Masumi S. (Masumi Sakura), 1953-

Oral history interview with Nora B. Womack

This oral history interview with Nora B. Womack was conducted by Robert J. Gassner on September 6, 1988. The interview was one of a series conducted in 1988 by Oregon Historical Society volunteer Robert Gassner with members of the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland, Oregon.

In this interview, Womack discusses her family background and early life in St. Helens, Oregon, particularly the immigration of her parents from Lebanon to the United States in the 19th century. She talks about the Syrian and Lebanese community in St. Helens and in the Portland, Oregon, area. She briefly discusses working for the telephone company, as well as the work of her husband, Robert W. Womack, for the Jones Lumber Company. She then revisits the topic of her childhood and the Syrian and Lebanese community in St. Helens, including her memories of cooking Lebanese food. She talks about the activities of the Lebanese Ladies' Society, as well as other Lebanese cultural groups in Oregon. She talks about how the independence of Lebanon affected the Lebanese community and about the contemporary issues affecting Lebanon. She discusses the charitable work of the Lebanese Ladies' Society and talks about Lebanese cuisine. She closes the interview by discussing her siblings and their families, as well as her extended family.

Womack, Nora B. (Nora Baseel), 1905-1998

Oral history interview with Kemle Fakhry

This oral history interview with Kemle Fakhry was conducted by Don Schwartz on April 4, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Fakhry discusses coming to the United States at the beginning of her freshman year of high school and learning English as a second language. She then talks about her childhood in Dakar, Senegal, including her education and her family life. She describes growing up with her father an ocean away in the United States; immigrating to the United States at the age of 13; and acclimating to her new environment in Portland, Oregon. She talks about Senegalese culture and cuisine. She discusses the cultural differences between Senegal and the United States, particularly surrounding the concept of race. She closes the interview by discussing her plans for the future.

Fakhry, Kemle, 1999-

Oral history interview with Anisha Ginshing

This oral history interview with Anisha Ginshing was conducted by Sankar Raman on April 4, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Ginshing discusses her early life in a camp for Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. She then talks about immigrating to the United States with her family at the age of 9, and settling in Idaho. She talks about her elementary school education in Idaho and about learning English as a second language; the reasons for her family's move to Portland, Oregon; and her high school education in Portland, including taking Advanced Placement classes and her extracurricular activities. She talks about her interest in Nepali culture; applying for college; and her plans to become a nurse. She closes the interview by discussing her cultural and ethnic identity; the dangerous conditions for women and girls in Nepal; and her most challenging high school classes.

Ginshing, Anisha, 1999-

Oral history interview with Naw Bi Tha Aye La

This oral history interview with Naw Bi Tha Aye La was conducted by Sankar Raman on May 13, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Naw Bi Tha Aye La discusses her family background and the circumstances in Myanmar (also known as Burma) that led to her family to seek refuge in the Mae Ra Moe refugee camp on the Thai-Myanmar border. She describes living conditions in the refugee camp, including the polluted water they used, raising their own food, and her education. She also talks about her Karen ethnic identity. She talks about the process of resettling in the United States, including her last day in the camp and settling in Portland, Oregon. She discusses her education in Portland, including learning English as a second language. She talks about her interest in theater, her grades, and her friends. She also talks further about her cultural and ethnic identity. She closes the interview by discussing her plans for the future.

Naw Bi Tha Aye La, 2000-

Oral history interview with Dominic Vu Nguyen

This oral history interview with Dominic Vu Nguyen was conducted by Rachel Ramirez on July 9, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Nguyen discusses fleeing Vietnam near the end of the Vietnam War, relocating to the Philippines, and finally settling in upstate New York. He talks about his early life in New York, including adjusting to life in the United States and his education. He also talks about overcoming stereotypes. Nguyen discusses getting into fitness after the birth of his son in 2011, and about competing to appear on the television show American Ninja Warrior in 2017. He closes the interview by describing his 1990 reunion with his father, who had been unable to leave Vietnam with the family, as well as his father's death in 2016.

Nguyen, Dominic Vu, 1973-

Oral history interview with Victor D. Bencomo Acevedo

This oral history interview with Victor D. Bencomo Acevedo was conducted by Kristin Cole and Sankar Raman in two sessions on May 4, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In the first interview session, Bencomo Acevedo discusses his family and early life in Venezuela. He talks about his college experience, his opposition to the government of Hugo Chávez, and the oppression he and his family experienced. He discusses studying economics and working at Benesco Banco Universal. He describes dealing with food shortages in Venezuela; the attempts on his life by Venezuelan paramilitary groups, known as "colectivos," including the kidnapping of his sister, as a result of his attendance at a protest; and his escape from Venezuela in 2014. He talks about studying business English in Portland, Oregon, as a student through the Kaplan International Institute, receiving word that he had been officially declared a traitor to Venezuela, and the plight of his family still in Venezuela. He discusses the process for applying for asylum in the United States; the mental toll of his experiences; and the community he has found in Portland.

In the second interview session, he discusses the risks involved in sharing his story, his sister's kidnapping by colectivos, and the safety of his family at the time of the interview in 2018.

Bencomo Acevedo, Victor D. (Victor Daniel), 1987-

Oral history interview with Eva Aigner and Les Aigner

This oral history interview with Eva Aigner and Les Aigner was conducted in two sessions in 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. The first session was conducted by Jim Lommasson and Sankar Raman. The second session was conducted by Elizabeth Mehren and Sankar Raman.

In the first session of this interview, Lommasson describes a recent exhibit he worked on called "What We Carried," and gives a copy of a related book to the Aigners. The Aigners discuss their work with the Holocaust Memorial Coalition and the Holocaust Memorial in Portland, Oregon. They also talk about the few personal possessions and photographs they still have from their lives before and during the Holocaust; Les Aigner's experience being sent to Dachau on the "death train"; and Eva Aigner's experience being rescued by her mother while awaiting execution along the Danube with her sister. Les Aigner also talks about his few months in Auschwitz, and they both discuss a trip they took to all the death camp sites, Auschwitz included. They then talk about scheduling for the next interview session and make small talk.

In the second session, the Aigners discuss their work educating the public about the Holocaust. They talk about the circumstances that led to the Holocaust, including the increasing anti-Semitism they experienced. They also talk about life in post-war Communist Hungary. Les Aigner describes his experience in Auschwitz, including the deaths of his mother and sister in the gas chambers; describes returning to Auschwitz on a recent trip; and discusses his liberation from Dachau in 1945. Eva Aigner talks about living in the Jewish ghetto in Budapest, Hungary, her mother's escape from the freight train taking her to a death camp; and the liberation of the ghetto in 1945. Eva Aigner also talks about another unnamed Holocaust survivor's story.

The Aigners describe life in post-war Communist Hungary, including food shortages during the 1956 revolution and their decision to flee. They describe escaping to Austria on Christmas Eve of 1956, immigrating to the United States, and settling in Portland, Oregon. They warn that the Holocaust could happen again, and discuss current political issues that alarm them. They talk about the jobs they worked in Portland, and Eva speaks at length about working as a cosmetologist. They close the interview by discussing the importance of sharing stories like theirs.

Aigner, Eva Erica, 1937-

Oral history interview with Hamada Haaji

This oral history interview with Hamada Haaji was conducted by Sankar Raman in 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Haaji discusses his early life in Somalia and the move to a refugee camp in Egypt when he was 6, and then to an apartment in Cairo two years later. He then talks about his life in Cairo, including education, his social life, and learning Arabic. He talks about his experience during the Arab Spring protests of 2011. He then discusses the process of being resettled in the United States and adjusting to life in Clackamas, Oregon. He discusses his education in Clackamas, including learning English. He closes the interview by talking about his plans for college and the future.

Haaji, Hamada (Mohamed), 1998-

Oral history interview with Farooq Hassan

This oral history interview with Farooq Hassan was conducted by Sankar Raman on August 10, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Hassan discusses his early life in Basra, Iraq, including the history and culture of Iraq before 1958, and his early art education. He then talks about studying art at universities in Baghdad, Iraq, and Rome, Italy. He discusses returning to Iraq in 1980 and his experience during the Iran-Iraq War. He describes some of the atrocities of Saddam Hussein and how he managed to evade the militias. He also talks about his marriage to fellow artist Haifa Al Habeeb. Hassan discusses his artwork, including his influences and methods, and his career after the end of the Iran-Iraq War. He also talks about designing stamps for the Iraqi government and giving some of his works to the Iraq Museum. He describes his life after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Hassan and Raman discuss an exhibition of Hassan's artwork planned for later in 2018. Hassan talks about his reasons for immigrating to the United States in 2010, and discusses his daughter and her family. Hassan talks about the materials he uses in his painting and drawing, the development of his art technique, and the loss of several of his paintings during the looting of the Iraq Museum in 2003. Hassan and Sankar look at some of Hassan's artworks and discuss them. Hassan closes the interview by talking about his career as an artist in the Pacific Northwest.

Hassan, Farooq, 1939-

Oral history interview with Jaime Miranda

This oral history interview with Jaime Miranda was conducted by Keven Salazar on August 1, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. The interview was conducted in both English and Spanish. In the interview, Miranda discusses his business, M & M Marketplace, in Hillsboro, Oregon. He talks about his early life in Mexico City, Mexico, including making a living by helping his mother work as a street vendor. Miranda and Salazar then converse in Spanish for several minutes about Salazar's studies, as well as the diverse populations in Gresham and Beaverton, Oregon. Miranda then returns to the topic of his early life in Mexico City and speaks at length about growing up in poverty. He talks about living with his extended family in Juárez while his parents and siblings immigrated to the United States. Miranda and Salazar again converse informally in Spanish. Miranda then talks about joining his family in the U.S. at the end of 1985, and he discusses his life in California, including his education and working in the fields with his family. He closes the interview by discussing the importance of education.

Miranda, Jaime, 1974-

Oral history interview with Rahel Nardos

This oral history interview with Rahel Nardos was conducted by Sankar Raman and Maleya Luis on March 28, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Nardos discusses her early life in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, including life under communism, access to health care, and her education. She talks about her experience attending the International Community School in Addis Ababa as a scholarship student. She also talks about the famine in Ethiopia during the 1980s. She then talks about applying for college in the United States and attending Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; about the barriers to her plans to attend medical school in the United States as an immigrant; and adjusting to life in the U.S. She also shares an anecdote about her first encounter with the U.S. customs agency. She discusses the U.S. political climate at the time of the interview in 2018, including her experiences with racism. She talks about attending Yale School of Medicine, including financing her education; her reasons for specializing in obstetrics and gynecology; and settling in Oregon. She speaks about a 2018 op-ed she wrote for the Oregonian newspaper, titled "My patients don't care I'm from a 'shithole' country," and talks about the increase in racism since Donald Trump was elected president in 2016. She discusses balancing family life with her career as a doctor; her work in women's health in Ethiopia with Footsteps to Healing; and her other volunteer work. She closes the interview by discussing her cultural and ethnic identity.

Nardos, Rahel

Oral history interview with Brenda Neri-Wong

This oral history interview with Brenda Neri-Wong was conducted by Sankar Raman and Briana Ybanez on August 22, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Neri-Wong discusses her family background and the blood disorder that spurred her parents to bring her to the United States in 1995. Neri-Wong continues discussing her family background, particularly her connection to her Chinese heritage, her family's financial situation in Mexico, and their journey to the United States. She talks about moving to Oregon, her education, and learning English as a second language. She also speaks about trying to fit in and make friends, and about her plans to become a teacher. She shares her experience as an undocumented immigrant, the constant anxiety it has caused, and the barriers it placed before her. She discusses attending Portland Community College and transferring to Portland State University, including paying for college and learning to navigate the higher education system as an undocumented immigrant. She then talks about her current job as a graduation coach in the Hillsboro School District. She discusses her status as a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which provides legal protections for some undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. She talks about her hopes for the future. She closes the interview by talking about the political climate at the time of the interview in 2018, her experience with white privilege, and working toward systemic change.

Neri-Wong, Brenda J., 1993-

Oral history interview with Zsuzsanna Vamos

This oral history interview with Zsuszanna Vamos was conducted by Sankar Raman and Briana Ybanez on August 20, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Vamos discusses her family background and early life in Budapest, Hungary, including conditions under the Communist government, her education, and listening to American radio as a teenager. She talks about her interest in chemistry and her admiration for Marie Curie, as well as her experiences attending Semmelweis University to study pharmacology. She discusses her marriage to Istvan Adany and his career, and she talks about her career in biomedical research and frustration at her inability to do the research she wanted. She then talks about applying for jobs in other countries, which led to a job offer from Kansas University Medical Center. She describes the process of immigrating to the United States and adjusting to life afterward. She talks about her children, their careers, and their families. She discusses getting her green card in 1997, Istvan Adany's career in the U.S., and their move to Hillsboro, Oregon. She closes the interview by talking about her work as an artist, her thoughts on the American Dream, and her reaction to the treatment of refugees at the time of the interview in 2018.

Vamos, Zsuzsanna, 1953-

Oral history interview with Jenny Munezero

This oral history interview with Jenny Munezero was conducted by Julianna Robidoux and Sankar Raman on May 2, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Munezero discusses her family background and early life as a Burundian refugee in the Kanembwa refugee camp in Tanzania. She describes living conditions in the camp, her family life, and her education. She describes the dangers of the camp, discusses her father's business, and talks about the process of resettlement in the United States. She speaks about adjusting to life in Beaverton, Oregon, including her experience during her first Independence Day; talks about her high school and college education in the U.S.; and discusses her career after graduating with a degree in business management from Portland State University. She talks about her relationship with her fiance, Innocent Irakoze, and closes the interview by sharing advice for other immigrants and her plans for the future.

Munezero, Jenny, 1993-

Oral history interview with Esther Azorr Rask

This oral history interview with Esther Azorr Rask was conducted by Robert J. Gassner on September 10, 1988. The interview was one of a series conducted in 1988 by Oregon Historical Society volunteer Robert Gassner with members of the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland, Oregon.

In this interview, Rask speaks at length about her family background, particularly the experience of her father, Albert Azorr, as a Syrian immigrant. She also talks about her family's connection to the Atiyeh family. She speaks about the Syrian-Lebanese community in Portland, Syrian-owned businesses, and the Syrian-Lebanese Social Club. She talks about the religious life of the Syrian and Lebanese community. She closes the interview by discussing her early life in Portland, including her education and social life.

Rask, Esther Azorr, 1928-2005

Oral history interview with Sam Teeny and Minerva Teeny

This oral history interview with Sam Teeny and Minerva Teeny was conducted by Robert J. Gassner on September 8, 1988. The interview was one of a series conducted in 1988 by Oregon Historical Society volunteer Robert Gassner with members of the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland, Oregon.

In this interview, Sam Teeny discusses his family background and early life Zahle, Lebanon, and Portland, Oregon. He talks about members of the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland, and about his social life. He also talks about speaking English as a second language. He discusses his involvement in the Lebanese/Syrian softball league. The Teenys talk about the history of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Portland and the Syrian Lebanese American Club. They describe the effect that Lebanese independence had on the Syrian and Lebanese community in Portland. Sam Teeny then talks about Syrian and Lebanese businesses in Southeast Portland, particularly the businesses operated by his relatives. In closing, Minerva Teeny describes a traditional Lebanese wedding and Sam describes the various businesses he's owned and his youth ministry work.

Teeny, Sam (Samuel Joseph), 1924-2016

Oral history interview with Kathy Delumpa Allegri

This oral history interview with Kathy Delumpa Allegri was conducted by Sankar Raman and Briana Ybanez on November 2, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Allegri discusses her father's work as a Philippine Scout for the U.S. Army during World War II; her family's subsequent immigration to the United States from the Philippines in 1949; and her early life on a military base in Georgia, including her family's experiences with racism. She describes moving to Palo Alto, California, in the early 1950s, growing up in a diverse community in the California Bay Area, and her high school experience. She talks about dropping out of college to help her sister raise her family after her sister's husband was killed during the Vietnam War. She discusses her marriage to Bill Allegri and living in Midwest while he completed his education and then taught high school. She describes the racism she experienced in the Midwest; returning to the Bay Area; and working as a freelance artist. She talks about completing her college degree at Colorado State University in 1989. Allegri talks about moving to Oregon in 1991, operating a wine shop with her husband from 2000 to 2014, and being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She talks about her art, teaching watercolor classes, and some of her exhibits. She closes the interview by talking about her art collection and how her Filipino heritage influenced her art.

Allegri, Kathy Delumpa

Oral history interview with Mario Gomez-Rubio

This oral history interview with Mario Gomez-Rubio was conducted by Sankar Raman on March 18, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Gomez-Rubio's mother, Elizabeth Rubio-Alfaro, was also present and occasionally answered questions in Spanish. An unidentified woman provides translations in Spanish and English.

In this interview, Gomez-Rubio discusses immigrating to the United States from Mexico in 2015 and settling in Hillsboro, Oregon. He also describes his early life on a ranch outside the city of Morelia in Michoacán, Mexico, including his education, his ambition to play professional soccer, and his social life. Rubio-Alfaro describes the process of immigrating to the United States, including the journey to Oregon. Gomez-Rubio talks about his school experience in Hillsboro, including learning English as a second language and his social life. He discusses his most challenging classes, his continued interest in soccer, and his plans for the future. Gomez-Rubio and Rubio-Alfaro close the interview by discussing Gomez-Rubio's interest in robotics and the physical sciences, as well as his independent personality.

Gomez-Rubio, Mario

Oral history interview with Rand Ibraheem

This oral history interview with Rand Ibraheem was conducted by Sankar Raman on April 4, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Ibraheem discusses her early life in Baghdad, Iraq. She describes the violence of the Iraq War, including being driven from her home by a group of armed men. She talks about life as a refugee in Damascus, Syria; waiting for asylum in the United States; and the outbreak of civil war in Syria, which again drove her family from their home. She describes in detail her memories of the 2012 bombing of her neighborhood. She talks about seeking refuge in Lebanon and living in Beirut, including her education. She then discusses the process of getting approved for resettlement in the United States and coming to Portland, Oregon, in 2014. She talks about her life in Portland, including her education. She closes the interview by discussing her plans for the future, and discrimination she faces as a Muslim.

Ibraheem, Rand (Rand Mohammed)

Oral history interview with Alejandro Vilches

This an oral history interview with Alejandro Vilches was conducted by Sankar Raman on February 3, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Vilches discusses his family background and early life in Bryan, Texas, including his father's education there. He then discusses his life in Honduras from ages 4 to 28, including being bilingual, his education, and his siblings. He also talks about his father's career as a pilot and death in an airplane accident, as well as his mother raising their family as a single parent. He describes the Honduran people and culture. He discusses studying computer science at the Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and the pressure he felt to succeed as the oldest child. He also talks about holding dual citizenship and his cultural and ethnic identity. He talks about coming to the United States to study computer science at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, including the differences in American and Honduran cultural norms, the diverse student body, and his social life. He discusses interning for Intel during the summers while at Purdue, and then beginning work as a software engineer for the company in Hillsboro, Oregon, shortly after he graduated. He also talks about his robotics-related volunteer work. He closes the interview by discussing how his views have changed regarding immigration and the value of diversity.

Vilches, Alejandro, 1980-

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