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Pulitzer Prize winner: I'm an illegal immigrant
[Update 9:45 p.m. ET] - Turns out the New York Times only got the story after Jose Antonio Vargas' former employer, the Washington Post, turned it down. The Times, already set to go to print, "tore up the book" to get the story in, a Times blog post reports.
Jose Antonio Vargas has written many pieces that have put him in the spotlight - including ones on the Virginia Tech shooting that made him a Pulitzer Prize winner. But perhaps his biggest piece yet may be the one that could put him in the most precarious position - his New York Times Magazine piece in which he explains and documents his life as an illegal immigrant.
"I’m done running. I’m exhausted. I don’t want that life anymore," he writes in the personal essay. "So I’ve decided to come forward, own up to what I’ve done, and tell my story to the best of my recollection. I’ve reached out to former bosses and employers and apologized for misleading them — a mix of humiliation and liberation coming with each disclosure."
He acknowledges what happens now is up in the air - he could end up being deported.
"I don’t know what the consequences will be of telling my story," he writes.
The article has sparked a discussion online about the decision for someone to come forward so publicly and say they were an illegal immigrant.
"We were delighted to run the piece, which we believe is an extremely provocative and well-written piece of journalism," a spokeswoman for the New York Times told CNN.
Vargas is telling his story as he ramps up an effort with the advocacy group he founded called Define American, which says "It's time to have a real conversation about immigration in our country."
And perhaps there is no way more real to begin that conversation than with Vargas detailing his own story and struggles along the way.
Vargas, who came from the Philippines when he was 12-years-old, has spent most of his life flying under the radar: Using false documents and Social Security numbers to try to make it by. He even once gave the Secret Service an illegally obtained Social Security number so he could attend a White House dinner.
Though he may be a Pulitzer Prize winner, his tale is similar to that of illegal immigrants of every stature in this country, one of living in fear of being found out at any time.
In the piece, he said the fear was constant. Vargas attempted to move forward in his professional career, working hard in several major newspapers around the country including The Washington Post, where he won his Pulitzer. He tells of the difficulties in trying to succeed at what he does so well, while trying to make sure that only key people knew about his status.
"I was trying to stand out in a highly competitive newsroom, yet I was terrified that if I stood out too much, I’d invite unwanted scrutiny," he writes.
Things became more difficult for Vargas when the e-Verify program became part of the vernacular in the legislature. The program, set up by the Department of Homeland Security, works with employers to check if prospective employers are legally eligible to work.
It wasn't until Congress failed to pass the DREAM Act, which could have helped him and others who went to college or served in the military become citizens. And since he is a gay male, he also doesn't have the option of marrying an American citizen.
Finally he was tired, he said, of walking around with the question that had been posed to him after he won his Pulitzer: "What will happen if people find out?"
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that loser should be tossed out on his head. the fact that he was allowed to take a journalism job from an american makes me sick. the washington post should be penalized for hiring him.
With his education and accomplishments he should have been able to find a legal path to a green card. Now he will get a 10 year ban and maybe find a way after that.
It's hard for me to imagine that the U.S. would be better off without this talented young man. Yes, he's broken the law, but we have American congressmen who break the law and are rewarded by being allowed to remain in office and American citizens who have crashed White House parties and then are rewarded with a reality show. I'd much rather have Mr. Vargas as my neighbor.
I suggest you return with mr. vasrgas to your glorious homeland and live side by side with him there.
why should anyone feel bad for this guy? why should we look at illegal immigrants as victims? it just is not difficult to immigrate legally here. its not. if you cant, theres a good reason. such as your a convicted felon, or your too brain dead to learn our culture or language or history. the only reason to come here illegally is to take advantage of our government and economy, end of story. come one, come all, enjoy america, but do it legally. im sorry you were born in the phillipines and that was tough for you. but its not our fault, and we dont want to pay for you. you have no excuse to be here illegally, after all this time. none whatsoever
"your too brain dead to learn our culture or language or history" Looks like you should be deported too.
It is EXTREMELY difficult to immigrate here legally, you have no idea what you are talking about!
How are you paying for this guy? Not the illegal persons who come here and aren't productive – but this guy? How are you paying for HIM? Or are you lumping this guy with all those with whom he doesnt even come close to resembling?
@Fool – Exactly! This country is filled with a bunch of hypocrites that ruin it for everybody.
It doesn't sound like we were paying for this guy at all, so where is the animosity coming from? Just the fact that he was taking up space in our country? Seems to me he was a productive citizen while he was here, as many immigrants (illegal or otherwise) usually are. Seems like you just can't wait to hate.
If you feel nothing for this man, you are less than a human being.
So basically, Vargas is DOUBLY a jackas$: he broke the laws of America, while simultaneously depriving his Native country of a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer. Maybe if people like Vargas stayed in Mexico, they could turn it into the kind of place people want to live instead of leave.
It's coming from the fact that this commenter feels like he personally built this country with his bare hands and is acting like he personally lost out on something by having a Pulitzer Prize winner write stuff that he probably can't even comprehend.
This is the sort of comment that once again proves most Marines are dumb yokels only good for fighting and little else.
Actually we do pay. All the infrastructure (roads, school, government) that is paid for through taxes collected from legal citizens covers the expense of all illegals that use those services.
The poor gay, immigrant Pulitzer winner. He's above the law!
Poor ignorant troll... He's below the national average IQ! Moron.
But he's not Mexican! OH NO!!!!
Mr. Vargas seems to be a good candidate for the EB-1 Extraordinary Ability category. He should look into this. If he needs someone to draft such a case I would be more than happy to help! 😀
Maybe if he hadn't plastered the fact that he's illegal all over the place, now he's screwed.
Gratis of course... seeing as how you're such a kind-hearted soul.
arrest him and deport him.
Deport him instantly...no trial needed as he confessed. He has to go to the very back of the line like all other immigrants. In fact as long as he's been here illegally that's how long he should have to wait till he gets his chance to come back!
so is he using Obama's SS# from Connecticut. Ship this bum off to the Philippians where he belongs and stick that Pulitzer on his as* where it belongs. Wonder who got robbed of that internship since this illegal got it. Shame on him.
I'll tell you who got robbed. Your lazy @55 kids who do nothing all day but play playstation, wait for you to die to collect your inheritance, then go spend it on a million dollar mansion, an Escalade (and the $150 per gas fill up), and then who sit back (like you) and complain like they built this country with their bare hands. Instead of with slave labor after slaughtering millions of Indians after BREAKING THE LAW by not paying taxes to the country of which they were actually 'legal' citizens.
D – is that like deport your as* as well. Like I wish my family had money. They're all unemployed because illegals are taking all the jobs they're not qualified to do, much less be able to speak English.
what a double-standard! NY Times should be fined, and any other publication that he found employment.
Congrats on the Pulitzer...now go back to your country.
If he is an illegal immigrant he should be treated as such and not be given special treatment because of his accomplishments. I teach a Citizenship class to immigrants who have gone through the process and want to do this the right way. To see their hard work and dedication is an inspiration. Their love for this country knows no bounds. Having worked with them I have zero tolerance for anyone who comes here illegally.
Would the U.S. would be better off without this talented young man? Yes, he's broken the law, but we have American congressmen who break the law and are rewarded by being allowed to remain in office and American citizens who have crashed White House parties and then are rewarded with a reality show. I'd much rather have Mr. Vargas as my neighbor.
tSometimes, it's not only bread that you have to steal to survive like in Les Miserables.
I think he's prepared to be deported because his conscience more than anything else is bothering him.
I hope he's not deported. The U.S. needs more people with conscience like him.