Jose Antonio Vargas Exclusive Interview

Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer Recipient, opens up about his undocumented status in this exclusive interview with Odette Keeley from New America Media. Tune into Upside on Tuesday and Thursdays at 6:30 and 10:00pm on Comcast Hometown Network (Channel 104).

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Jose Antonio Vargas
• Pulitzer
• Washington Post
• Odette Keeley
• New America Media
• Ch.104 interview exclusive

[chantalfer123]

People who live in different countries are treated unfairly, not given the same rights as Americans have (simply for being born there) and want to go to the US. They want to be treated better and have better opportunities, why shouldn't the be able to get that. The only problem is that Americans have made it very difficult for them to be legal and they see no other option than to become "illegal"

[Manangdi22]

But he was employed, right? why didn't his employer sponsored him? he could have convinced his employer to sponsor him. If he was a hotshot writer he could have demanded that they sponsor him. So, what is he trying to do now? Is he still in the US?

[tiguangna]

@Manangdi22 he can't apply for citizenship because he has no current legal status. Your education doesnt matter. The only people who can apply for citizenship are the one's who have legal status in the first place (such as green card holders). Do you really think he wouldve willingly stayed an illegal if he had an option? YES, it is hard and complicated and EXTREMELY expensive to gain citizenship, which if ironic coz to Americans, all they have to do is to be born.

[Manangdi22]

So, did he apply for his citizenship now? how in all his education and support system, he never applied for citizenship and stayed an illegal? mind you, i am a Filipino American, both my parents are from the Philippines, my father applied for citizenship and he only finished elementary education, he joined the navy and got his citizenship, is it hard and complicated to become a legal citizen? with all his education, he has all the knowledge and chances to become one, i don't get it?

[Moontouchofficial]

@mimana2 I don't think anybody is advocating that, nor is Jose Vargas. For example, the point of the DREAM Act was to create a system of where the hardworking and moral individual is allowed full access and citizenship to the US, while simultaneously creating a filter against the opposite who commit crimes and don't contribute to the economy. This did not pass because of Republican nationalism and delusion. The current immigration system is far from the previously described effective one.

[mimana2]

@Moontouchofficial I completly agree with you. But as an immigrant, I tell you that we cannot have exceptions based on popularity or fame. My family had to suffer this "law' you mention and we are trying to walk on the line. It wold be just unfair to see a guy with some political strings get above the rest. It's all or none. That is justice.

[Moontouchofficial]

@mimana2 Justice is not equal to law. Law imitates justice as best it can, but it can fail on occasions like with African-Americans and their rights prior to 1964. Nobody is advocating for unequal chances among immigrants. Immigration reform is entirely about giving each immigrant an equal grab at the right to have their sovereignty recognized in the country.

[mimana2]

Jose Antonio Vargas may be a great journalist and good friend in his hometown but if he praises justice and the law and he supports what he advocates, then he must leave the country and go back to Philippines.

If he stays, then many others must be given the same chance. Equal justice.