BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. (AP) - If you go to 3 Amigos in Barboursville[1], you most likely know manager Julio Guzman[2].
“I try to make friends with everyone that comes here,” Guzman[3] said. “This place is like my home. I want everyone to feel welcome, happy and have a good time.”
Guzman[4] has been the manager of 3 Amigos for over a decade, but he does nearly every job in the place. He has cooked, waited tables, ran food, answered the phone, swept the floors and makes one of the best margaritas around.
“I love my job and I love my bosses,” he said. “I love the people of West Virginia. They are so nice and very friendly.”
On Guzman[5]’s 52nd birthday on Jan. 28, he officially became a U.S. Citizen after living in America for the past 27 years.
“I am so excited and proud to be a U.S. Citizen,” he said. “I waited a long time, but I wanted to do it the right way and was a little nervous about taking the test.”
Guzman[6] has always been in the country as a legal immigrant as a green card holder.
“I kept renewing my green card, but I was not allowed to vote,” he said. “I love this country and lived here so long, so I decided to take the test.”
Guzman[7] passed, despite being very nervous about it.
“I missed a few questions, but I finally passed and couldn’t wait to get my papers,” he said.
When his citizenship papers arrived he had to go to Charleston for the swearing in ceremony.
“It was on my birthday, and I was very nervous again,”
Guzman[8] said. “My wife, Janice, told me to drink a cup of coffee and relax.” Guzman[9] put on a suit and tie to take the Oath of Allegiance at the naturalization ceremony.“I am proud to be an American citizen,” he said. “I have always worked hard, obey the rules and not get into any trouble. That’s what my father taught me, to work hard and be a good person.”
Guzman[10]’s father, Ireneo, raised him in Guerrero, south of Mexico City.“I worked on a farm as a boy raising corn and beans and things like that,” he recalled. “I liked it, but it was hard work.
When he became an adult,
Guzman[11] joined the Mexican army.“I worked for the army for nine years,” he said. “That’s when I got a visa and passport so I could come to the United States for vacation. I visited California.”
After that he decided he wanted to live in the United States and became a green card holder. He lived in California for a year....