Jose Antonio Vargas

Today marks my 32nd year in what James Baldwin calls “these yet to be United States.”

We all need to keep talking about solutions to our immigration problems. We cannot keep throwing our own tax dollars—billions of it!

We need real solutions for our broken immigration system from both Democrats and Republicans.

Public attitudes toward immigrant enforcement are finally shifting. I spoke about it on PBS NewsHour.

www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...

#SupermanIsAnImmigrant

They say Superman shouldn’t be political — but he always has been.

Read the full story in @thr.com

www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...

Yes, Superman Has Always Been an Immigration Story Accusations that James Gunn has “politicized” Superman come laughably late, as the world's most famous superhero has always been political, write narrative strategist Andrew Slack and Pulitzer Prize-w...

Superman is America’s conscience wearing a cape — and that terrifies MAGA because they’re supporting a real-life Lex Luthor. @thr.com

Read my full piece on the Hollywood Reporter:

www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...

In 2012, I stood on the cover of TIME alongside other undocumented immigrants to call attention to a broken immigration system — yet here we are in 2025, still facing fear, attacks, and uncertainty in our communities.

Read the full story:
time.com/7300053/immi...

Honored to be part of Humanity First: Reframing Immigration Through the Lens of Dignity — a virtual panel hosted by The King Center on July 9 with Maria Teresa Kumar and Dr. Bernice A. King.

Join us!

Telling the stories of im/migrants with nuance and complexity has been my life’s work — and it began with my own.

Because of America’s broken immigration system, I was physically separated from my mother and sister for 31 years.

We reunited at last.

Watch our story now: youtu.be/D26-QdVWOXU?...

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas Meet the Man Funding DREAMers in Higher-Ed

Meet the Man Funding DREAMers in Higher-Ed www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5Gp...

Don Graham — former Washington Post publisher and co-founder of thedream.us — has spent decades advocating for undocumented students who grew up in the U.S. without a clear path to citizenship.

Watch the full episode now on youtube.com/DefineAmerican

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas Could America Survive Without Immigrant Nannies and Caregivers? With Ai-jen Poo

Unpack America’s interdependence with immigrants in the latest episode: “Could America Survive Without Immigrant Nannies and Caregivers? with Ai-jen Poo"

Now streaming everywhere you get your podcasts www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzp7...

Yes, undocumented people pay taxes. Now the IRS is working w/ DHS to use confidential tax data against them. Don't miss this conversation with law professor Francine Lipman about the devastating impacts of IRS and DHS collaboration on both immigrants and our economy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fTC...

"We subjugate those who we believe can be scapegoated..."

Listen to my conversation with @joseiswriting.bsky.social about the current political attitudes on immigration.

LINK HERE:

youtu.be/0UOOjs4Oyo0?...

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas Immigrants Are Not the Reason Why Eggs Are Expensive, With Rep. Lateefah Simon

“The attempt to pit us against one another — it will always fail.” Watch my full conversation with Rep. Lateefah Simon @replsimon.bsky.social youtu.be/0UOOjs4Oyo0?...

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas How House Democrats Can Fight Back, with Rep. Pramila Jayapal

What can Democrats do to fight back against Trump's anti-immigrant agenda? I asked the top Democrat on the House Judiciary immigration subcommittee, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal @pramilajayapal.bsky.social @jayapal.house.gov

Glad to be reunited with my friend @joseiswriting.bsky.social to talk about how we can support our communities at home, envision a new narrative for immigration, and support our DREAMers and mixed status families. Look out for our full conversation coming soon!

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas Reuniting With Mama — After 31 Years Apart

Tomorrow, I reunite with my mother and sister after 31 years. Migration is more than politics—it’s about people. Watch the full episode www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb34...

Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas is the source for news and conversation about immigration in America today, including politics, media, culture, personal stories, breaking news, and more. Def...

I’m 44 today—over 30 years spent fighting to be “legal.” Humanizing the immigrant narrative is my life’s work. For my b-day, subscribe to YouTube.com/defineamerican & share with 4 friends! We’ve got powerful episodes on undocumented artists, deportations, and more. Let’s keep the conversation going!

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas What the Media Gets Wrong About Immigration With Maria Hinojosa

Catch the latest episode of Define American, where Maria Hinojosa and I discuss what the media gets wrong about immigration youtu.be/OGc5IEvSI_c

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas What the Media Gets Wrong About Immigration With Maria Hinojosa

If you watch one thing today- watch this thought provoking conversation @defineamerican.bsky.social with @joseiswriting.bsky.social interviewing Maria Hinojosa

youtu.be/OGc5IEvSI_c

Last week, I joined a panel on CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip. Ashley Allison shared that I was the first undocumented person she met as a public servant.

She made an important point: when you understand people’s stories and humanize them, they stop being reduced to stereotypes.

Fellow Fil-Am @joseiswriting.bsky.social reminds us undocumented #immigrants caught in deportation frenzy are the very people who deliver your DoorDash in the middle of blizzard, provide strawberries in your salad, lettuce in your hamburgers & do everything you don't want to do. #immigration

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas How Artists, Activists, and Parents Can Respond to Trump's Immigration Agenda w/ Paola Mendoza

In the latest Define American episode, I’m joined by @paolamendoza.bsky.social to discuss the state of the resistance and the power of art in social change. Paola co-founded the 2017 Women’s March and is a filmmaker, author, and more.

Catch the full episode: youtu.be/Ob1OHE5EORo

Thank you for reading and sharing

Starting this #book today, and I feel it's a perfectly timed to #read.

DEAR AMERICA: NOTES OF AN UNDOCUMENTED CITIZEN by Jose Antonio Vargas

* About the book *
Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist tackles one of the defining issues of our time in this explosive and deeply personal call to arms.

Thank you dear Shira

Thank you. What an exceedingly kind and generous thing to say.

Urge everyone to follow @joseiswriting.bsky.social

“Follow the money”

Opinion | I Was an Undocumented Immigrant. I Beg You to See the Nuance in Our Stories. The situations of undocumented immigrants are varied, and call for a variety of solutions.

Please read this piece by my dear friend @joseiswriting.bsky.social who has contributed so much to the United States and has important insight into our immigration system. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/o...

“So when the Speaker of the House says dollar for dollar investment, what are we actually talking about” @joseiswriting.bsky.social debunks Speaker Johnson’s assertions that undocumented immigrants commit high rates of crimes.