Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Guanajuato native finds better life in U.S.

Another success story of an immigrant, without education, who came here, worked hard, and now owns his own business. He has attained The American Dream. DP

By Jonathan Turner, Quad-Cities Online
Quad-Cities Online : When Roberto Carrillo came to the United States in 1984, he didn't know any English and worked with his father picking fruit in the fields of Fresno, Calif.

The young teen didn't attend school. In fact, he didn't continue formal education until he got a food-management certificate last year from Black Hawk College. Today, Mr. Carrillo, 37, is proud owner of El Mexicano, 448 Railroad Ave., in Moline's Floreciente neighborhood, and wants to ensure his three children get the schooling that eluded him.

"If they learn more, they can get more," the humble Guanajuato native said in his bright, spacious eatery. "I always told them, 'Do the best you can do.' That's why we are here. I have to work to help my family. Many people like me came over here because we didn't have anything."

"When I get older, I'd like to go back to school. I want to learn a lot more things," Mr. Carrillo said. "Nobody can learn enough. We learn something different every day, no matter if you're in school or not. You have something to learn ... If you have a better education, we're going to be something better."

It's clear Mr. Carrillo has learned quite a lot already. In 1987, he obtained temporary resident status. He moved to the Quad-Cities in 1990 and in 1995 took classes in American history to apply for U.S. citizenship. He passed the citizenship test that year.

Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.

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