Suggestions
Jose Antonio Vargas
Founder, Define American
Jose Antonio Vargas is a prominent journalist, filmmaker, and immigration rights activist, best known as the founder of Define American, a nonprofit organization he established in 2011 to facilitate dialogue about immigration issues in the United States. Born on February 3, 1981, in the Philippines, Vargas moved to the U.S. at age 12 to live with his grandparents, who were naturalized citizens. He discovered his undocumented status when he attempted to obtain a driver's license at 16, which led him to keep his status secret for many years while pursuing a successful career in journalism.
Vargas gained national attention in June 2011 when he published an essay in The New York Times Magazine revealing his status as an undocumented immigrant. This revelation was part of his broader effort to advocate for the DREAM Act and to humanize the immigrant experience through storytelling. His work has emphasized the importance of visibility and narrative change in discussions about citizenship and identity in America.1234
Under Vargas's leadership, Define American has launched various campaigns aimed at reshaping the conversation around immigration by highlighting personal stories and advocating for policy changes. The organization has been recognized for its innovative approach to addressing complex social issues and has helped shift public perception regarding undocumented immigrants.25
In addition to his work with Define American, Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, having contributed to major publications like The Washington Post and The Huffington Post. He is also an Emmy-nominated filmmaker known for his autobiographical documentary Documented, which chronicles his life as an undocumented immigrant.345 His memoir, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen, further explores his experiences and perspectives on identity and belonging in America.
Vargas continues to be a leading voice in discussions about immigration rights and identity, advocating for a more inclusive understanding of what it means to be American.
Highlights
Dear TV and cable networks:
Now would be a very good time to have Latinas and Latinos discussing the complexity of the Latino vote.
What are you going to do––what are you willing to risk––to protect your undocumented friends, classmates, coworkers, and neighbors?
What are you going to do to protect your people?
