Ruben Lemos and his wife were on the hunt for an apartment in Pasco when they encountered a shocking rejection. The landlady told them, “I don’t rent to Hispanics. They are all drunks and drug dealers.” Lemos, a Vietnam veteran and educator, grew up in a migrant farmworker family in Texas. This encounter in the late 1960s left a mark on him, prompting him to file a complaint with the city, which went unanswered.
Lemos’s story is part of a collection of Latino oral histories at Washington State University Tri-Cities. Historians Robert Bauman and Robert Franklin gathered these stories to shed light on the Latino experience in the Northwest. “Latino settlement in the Tri-Cities is part of history that hasn’t been well recorded,” Bauman says. These oral histories reflect common themes such as migration, education, and the pursuit of better lives.
Lemos played a key role in founding the Hispanic Academic Achievers Program in 1990, which recognizes students in the Tri-Cities and awards scholarships. Initial funding for these oral histories came from Humanities Washington, allowing for recordings at the WSU Tri-Cities studio. Bauman and Franklin use these stories in their classes to highlight immigration and cultural identity.
Franklin believes it’s important for first-generation Latino students to view their stories as part of a larger narrative. “These oral histories provide valuable representation,” he says. “It shows them their experiences matter.”
After World War II, central Washington saw a boom in irrigated agriculture, creating jobs that largely attracted Latino workers, both from Texas and more recently, from Latin America. Many settled in Pasco, an area once segregated for Black and Asian American workers. As of 2024, more than half of Pasco’s residents identify as Hispanic or Latino.
Sharlett Mena, a state legislator, grew up between Richland and Pasco. She noticed stark contrasts in her school experiences. In Richland, she felt different, being the only child whose parents had accents. When her family moved to Pasco, she found herself in a mostly Latino environment. However, her advanced classes still reflected a gap aligned with her previous experiences.
Jerry Martinez shared how his family sought refuge from El Salvador’s civil war in the Tri-Cities. His father worked in California but discovered better opportunities in Washington’s agricultural sector. “He found this beautiful area where you could work year-round and save money,” Martinez recalls. His family’s home became a communal space for relatives arriving from El Salvador, emphasizing the importance of education and community support.
Martinez credits his community involvement and strong family values for his drive to succeed. A neighbor, an Army veteran, helped his parents during their journey toward citizenship, showing how community bonds can uplift families.
The collection of oral histories currently includes 15 accounts, and Bauman and Franklin hope to expand it further. Funding has also come from WSU’s David G. Pollart Center for Arts and Humanities.
Ruben Peralta’s story highlights the immigrant experience too. Coming to the U.S. as a teenager from Mexico, he faced language barriers while working in agriculture. He later attended Columbia Basin College, which helped him catch up in his studies. “Give people some time,” he advises. “In the beginning, we work hard, but we find ways to thrive.” His former students have become business leaders and educators, showcasing the progress of the community.
Statistics show that Latino communities have flourished in the Tri-Cities, with a significant presence in various sectors. Their migration journey illustrates not just challenges but also triumphs, emphasizing the collective effort and perseverance that characterize these stories. As communities continue to grow and evolve, these narratives serve as a vital reminder of the rich history and diversity that shape our society.
