Interview with Francisco Portillo

              Caribbean Diaspora Oral History Collection
Interview with Francisco Portillo
Miami, FL, February 19, 2016
Interview asm0344000016
Interviewed by Julio Estorino
Recorded by Javier Carrion
Outline by Reymond Sanchez
Length: 00:39:55
Interview with Francisco Portillo, a political activist in Miami who currently runs an organization helping Honduran immigrants. He is the founder and president of Organizacion Hondurena Francisco Morazan. Originally from Honduras, he moved to Miami as an adult. He believes that the political distress he saw in Latin America, and especially in Honduras, led him into developing an interest in politics at a young age. He has advocated in favor of fair treatment to immigrants in general, and is active in the pro-immigration reform movement in the United States.
This interview forms part of the Caribbean Diaspora Oral History Collection of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections.
This oral history expresses the views, memories and opinions of the interviewee. It does not represent the viewpoints of the University of Miami, its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The University of Miami makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interview and expressly disclaims any liability therefor.
Copyright to this interview lies with the University of Miami. It may not be reproduced, retransmitted, published, distributed, or broadcast without the permission of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections. For information about obtaining copies or to request permission to publish any part of this interview, please contact Special Collections at asc@miami.edu.
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INTERVIEW OUTLINE
- 00:00:13: Introduction
- 00:00:27: When and where were you born and how was your infancy?
- 00:01:00: What did your parents do, jobwise?
- 00:01:37: At what age did you leave Honduras and how was your life there before you left?
- 00:02:13: A lot of countries in Latin America are characterized by lots of political distress. Did that affect you in Honduras?
- 00:03:12: How and why did you finally leave Honduras?
- 00:03:40: Did you come with your family here and what was your legal status here when you came?
- 00:04:01: Did you come straight to Miami and how were your beginnings here?
- 00:04:50: Was adapting to the culture here difficult?
- 00:05:42: How did you feel coming into this melting pot of a city that is Miami?
- 00:07:24: What is the difference in cultures here in the 1990s than what it is now?
- 00:08:50: Do you think a large percentage of Hondurans involve themselves in politics like you do?
- 00:09:25: What led you from being just another immigrant to trying to make a change through politics?
- 00:11:46: What does your organization focus on besides immigration?
- 00:12:30: What resources did you have to start your organization?
- 00:13:59: How was the hunger strike you did in front of the White House/
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- 00:14:41: Are the services you guys offer free?
- 00:15:11: Have you received criticism for what you do?
- 00:16:05: How has your family been affected by what you do?
- 00:17:05: The U.S. has for a while lived in a time where immigration has become a relevant political discussion. How has your relationship been with people from Washington?
- 00:20:15: What do you think should be included in an immigration reform?
- 00:22:46: How do families who for example, have the father deported, survive financially?
- 00:23:30: Do you guys get any support from Honduras?
- 00:24:39: Recently in Latin America, violence has risen dramatically. How is that affecting the community here?
- 00:26:28: Has you seen this anti-immigrant sentiment here in Miami?
- 00:27:58: What would be your most important message to immigrants?
- 00:29:06: What would be your message to politicians?
- 00:30:20: Regarding the situation in Honduras, are you optimistic about its future?
- 00:32:32: Is there anything you would like to add?
- 00:36:25: A lot of people talk about how Cuban immigrants have a lot more leniency when they come to the U.S. in relation to other immigrants? Are other Hispanic communities okay with that?
- 00:38:02: Where is the best soccer played in Central America?
- 00:38:32: Anything else?
- 00:39:55: END OF INTERVIEW