Interview Transcript

Clarene Law

A: In about 1986, '87, we began our dependency on foreign workers. We began to have year-round business we had not had here before. We had a wonderful new ski area, we had direct flights begin to come in here to Jackson Hole, and subsidized flights. At that time, we began to need more year-round employees. Summer time employees were never a problem, but the wintertime and the year-round economy became a necessity to have to have a stable workforce.

Q: How many Mexican workers do you have at this point and how many motels you have?

A: We have four major properties, and I think we have about half of our employees, I believe there are more than 30. We have 30 people that are petitioning now, so I know we have at least that many.

Q: When you say petitioning, what do you mean?

A: These folks have to go back to keep their temporary visas, and we have 30 people that are wanting to go back to renew their visas.

Q: What sorts of changes have occurred in Jackson because of the Mexican workforce?

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A: I just know how valuable the Mexican workers are to the success of many businesses, including us, in Jackson Hole. And they have contributed rather than detracted from the socioeconomic mix of this valley.

Q: Why do you think they come to a place like Jackson?

A: I think a lot of the Mexican people originally became interested in the West through the farm programs and they saw an economy here, which would generate more than a stipend, a monthly income that would barely support the family. They saw the possibilities of an increased income that they could support a family, and perhaps support those folks at home better.

Q: From a family perspective, what do you think about the people and families they leave behind in Mexico?

A: I think it's very difficult for the Mexican population to leave their families. They only do that to better themselves. We have one worker, one of our best, who has a very ill wife in Mexico and his children, and he goes as often as he can. He actually sold property that he had in order to support her health needs. It is very much of a sacrifice. I've had workers that sacrificed and saved every penny so that they can go home and upon going home, they actually acquired farms. The whole objective is to have a better lifestyle, whether here or at home.

Q: Talk a little bit about Arturo and Esther when they first began to work for you.

A: Arturo and Esther have been very fine employees of our establishments for several years. They live in a trailer here in town, and it is one of our properties. We put up a great many of our own employees, about half of whom are from Mexico. They are responsible, they are clean, they are contributing members of society, wonderful children. Often times, they bring their children and I'm in love with their children and with them.

Q: What happened in 1996 that changed the way Mexican workers are documented, I'm referring to the raid?

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A: The raid in 1996 made the Mexican workers more aware of the need to have proper documentation. It's incumbent upon them to do so. Employers usually helped in the cause, we do much of the work through acquiring legal services for them to work. We have to, it seems like to channel some of those efforts, and we have a Latino center here in Jackson and I think it's just brought a greater awareness to trying to be legal.

Q: What happened exactly at the raid?

A: Very little happened. In 1996, our properties, we had pretty well-documented our workers. The INS was very good about coming in and doing what they call courtesy audits. They audited and they told us in a way that said, "These are the things that you are missing in documentation, and these are the things you have to have and these are the numbers." And it was great time for employers to become more aware in addition to the employee. I think there is a sincere desire among the Mexican people, not only to work and better their circumstance, but to be within the realms of the law. And that is the awareness that that raid brought, and I think they are on their way to doing that.

Q: What was the raid like?

A: The raid didn't affect us very much so it is very difficult but I read a lot in the newspapers about how it was handled in a way that people were separated from their families, and they became very frightened. I do remember that.

Q: What is the current situation for you with regard to getting temporary visas for your employees?

A: We have tried to assist them ourselves and currently, we are working with professional help that does more of that sort of thing. Because with the INS, as I understand, they farm out some of their work to the Lincoln Center and some of these other places, also. And it takes a pretty knowledgeable person to go through the procedures. You would be surprised to see how anxious our employees are to go through the correct procedures. They just have to know what they are.

Q: Could you tell us if since September 11th, has it become more difficult to work with INS?

A: In here, it has not. They are still very helpful and I think that we have a little of a different circumstance here where we are far inland and we are hardly a border state. And most of these people have been coming in or their families have been coming in for years. They are people we know that have names, they aren't just someone coming across the border, they are Arturo, they are Esther, they are all of the wonderful names.

Q: Tell us about the employee that you gave a Christmas present to.

A: Years ago, I had a fine man named Sergio, and he has graduated to greater things here in Jackson Hole and advanced himself. But this wonderful man, it was Christmas time and we hand out small little monetary bonuses to everyone. I handed him this envelope and he looked at me with tears in his eyes and he said, "I worked for an Idaho farmer for over ten years and he did not even know my name." And this is a man I respect and love very much, and he began here and owns his own property in Idaho today.

Q: Is there anything else that I haven't asked you that you would like to say?

A: I would like to sum up what fine, contributing people these folks are from Mexico. We have mutual, sincere respect and appreciation. I would like to see the process made more exact and yet more simple, so that these folks can work and contribute and still be legal within the realms of our fine government.

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