Who is Jose Antonio Vargas and what really happened to him?
Jose Antonio Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, filmmaker, author, and immigration activist. He came to the United States from the Philippines as a child and later discovered he was undocumented. In 2011, he made a bold choice to reveal his undocumented status, stating:
I am an undocumented immigrant. I’m not supposed to be here.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Jose Antonio Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, filmmaker, author, and immigration activist.
- He was brought to the United States as a child without knowing he was undocumented.
- Jose discovered his immigration status at 16 when he tried to apply for a driver's license.
- In 2011, he publicly revealed his undocumented status to challenge stereotypes and spark dialogue.
- He founded Define American, a non-profit organisation aimed at changing how people talk about immigration.
- His memoir, Dear America, shares the emotional toll of living without legal status.
Jose Antonio Vargas’s profile summary
| Full name | Jose Antonio Vargas |
| Nickname | Jose |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | February 3, 1981 |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Place of birth | Antipolo, Philippines |
| Current residence | Mountain View, California, USA |
| Nationality | Filipino-American |
| Ethnicity | Filipino |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Sexual orientation | Gay |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| School | Crittenden Middle School and Mountain View High School |
| University | San Francisco State University |
| Profession | Journalist, filmmaker, author, and activist |
Who is Jose Antonio Vargas?
He was born on February 3, 1981, in Antipolo, Philippines, but grew up in the United States. He attended Crittenden Middle School and Mountain View High School. After high school, he secured a scholarship at San Francisco State University. He graduated with a degree in Political Science and Black Studies.
Source: Getty Images
Jose Antonio Vargas' immigration story
Antonio's parents sent him to the United States to live with his grandparents, who were naturalised US citizens when he was 12 years old. However, they didn’t obtain authorisation for him to stay there. Jose didn’t learn his immigration status until 16, when he attempted to obtain a California driver's license, only to discover that his documents were fraudulent.
After making the big discovery, he kept it a secret and continued pursuing his education. He constantly used a Filipino passport and other false documents, such as a driver's license and green card, to avoid deportation.
What did Jose Vargas do?
In June 2011, he revealed his status as an undocumented immigrant in an essay in The New York Times Magazine titled My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant. He revealed his status to promote dialogue on the American immigration system and DREAM Act advocacy.
One year later, a day after Jose Antonio Vargas’ story was published, the Obama administration announced it was halting the deportation of undocumented immigrants under 30 who would be eligible for the DREAM Act. However, he didn't qualify since he had just turned 31.
In line with his advocacy, he founded Define America in 2011. The non-profit organisation aimed at initiating dialogue on immigration issues, including the DREAM Act, which would offer citizenship through education or military service.
What does Jose Antonio Vargas do for a living?
He is an award-winning journalist, filmmaker, author, and immigration activist. His high school English teacher introduced him to journalism, and in 1998, he interned at a local newspaper known as the Mountain View Voice.
Source: Getty Images
Later, he worked as a copyboy for the San Francisco Chronicle. During the summers at university, he interned at the Philadelphia Daily News and The Washington Post. In 2004, immediately after graduation, he was hired by The Washington Post.
While at The Washington Post, Jose authored and contributed to three articles about the Virginia Tech Shootings, earning the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting. He left The Washington Post in July 2009 and joined The Huffington Post as a technology and innovation editor. Some of his other works include:
- Writing and co-producing The Other City documentary on the AIDS epidemic in Washington, DC.
- Launching #EmergingUS to explore race and the evolving American identity via video and commentary.
- Directing and starring in the White People documentary on white privilege.
- Co-producing What the Constitution Means to Me, a Heidi Schreck's Tony-nominated Broadway play.
- Co-producing Here Lies Love, a disco-pop stage musical dramatising the life of Filipino politician Imelda Marcos.
- Writing, directing, and producing the autobiographical film Documented: A Film by an Undocumented American.
- Writing a memoir, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen, published by Dey Street.
Source: Getty Images
Where is Jose Antonio Vargas now?
He is still in the United States. After residing here with legal status for 31 years, he announced in January 2025 that he had obtained a 3-year 0-1 visa for people with extraordinary abilities. Although the visa doesn't offer a pathway to citizenship, it is renewable, and he hopes to do so.
FAQs about Jose Antonio Vargas
- Who is Jose Antonio Vargas? Jose Antonio Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, filmmaker, author, and immigration rights activist.
- Where did Jose Antonio Vargas go to school? Jose Antonio Vargas attended Crittenden Middle School, Mountain View High School, and San Francisco State University.
- Who gave Jose permission to question America? Jose Vargas Vargas often credits his high school English teacher and other mentors for encouraging him to question systems and express himself.
- When did Jose Antonio Vargas move to the United States? Jose Antonio Vargas relocated to the United States in 1993 at 12, after his parents sent him to live with his grandparents.
- What did Jose Antonio Vargas do? Jose Antonio Vargas revealed his status as an undocumented immigrant in the US in an essay published by The New York Times Magazine titled My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant.
- What visa does Jose Antonio Vargas have? Jose Antonio Vargas was granted a three-year O-1 visa in January 2025 for individuals with extraordinary abilities.
- What is Jose Antonio Vargas' well-known book? Jose Antonio Vargas’ most popular book is his memoir, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen (2018), which details his life growing up in the US without legal immigration status.
Final word
The story of Jose Antonio Vargas is more than a personal journey. It’s a powerful reflection of the complexities within America's immigration system. By stepping into the spotlight and declaring his undocumented status, he transformed fear into purpose, using his voice to advocate for millions who live in the shadows.
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