Description:
Edilio Jimenez was born in San José de las Matas, Dominican Republic in 1971. After the early passing of his mother, he grew up with his father and four siblings, where his grandmother took an active role in raising him. After graduating high school, he planned on following a similar path to his distant cousin who was a military cadet, looking to join the Police Academy. Instead, through his sisters work at the Sierra Plan, a prevalent institution within the San José de las Matas area centered around the promotion of agriculture and livestock, he was offered a scholarship to study for a technical degree in Honduras. He participated in the program for six months out of the expected three years, citing troubles with adapting to the new environment and culture. Instead of returning to the Dominican Republic, he attained a transit visa and went to Miami, Florida for two weeks before being offered a job in East Orange, New Jersey. He describes the community he was able to join as a result of this move and the strong relationships that developed. He worked in masonry and construction, then at multiple wineries, before starting at different milk companies, Perfect and Creamoland, prior to working for Pepsi-Cola in the sales and merchandise departments and as a technician. After obtaining U.S. citizenship, he returned to the Dominican Republic in 1996. He describes that one of the most challenging aspects of acclimating to the United States was not only adapting to the new language but having to start a new life independent of prior relationships and a support system. He later moved from East Orange to Ford, before eventually settling in Piscataway. He speaks on his Dominican heritage (notably El Rubio), the diversity of Piscataway and the country as a whole, the Recession of 2008, the American immigration system and the ramifications of Donald Trump’s election in 2016. He describes the benefits that living in the U.S. has enabled him, especially in regards to supporting his family. He mentions how he would consider moving back to the Dominican Republic or Florida after retirement. This oral history interview was conducted as a part of the Latino New Jersey History Project, directed by Dr. Lilia Fernandez.