Through the Eyes of an Immigrant (COPY)

 

Through the Eyes of an Immigrant

            “Build that wall” chants could be heard from Trump’s rallies in 2016, and we’ve continued to 

see tweets and actions such as limiting access to asylum and trying to limit H-1B visas in the last 

four years.  America is plagued now more than ever with ubiquitous hatred and racism fueled by the 

demonization of immigrants.  Showing his humanity, Jose Antonio Vargas writes Dear America,

 Notes of an Undocumented Citizen, a memoir published in 2018 that tells of his struggle coming to

 the United States from the Philippines illegally and growing up in America without documentation to 

make him a legal citizen.  Vargas was only twelve years old when he was sent to live with his 

grandparents—Lolo and Lola—in America. A few years later, due to an incident at the DMV his 

grandfather confesses that he is undocumented.  Around the same time, Vargas realizes that he is gay,  

which precludes him from obtaining citizenship by marrying an American—a plan Lolo had from 

the beginning. To top things off, Vargas knew returning to the Philippines was not an option  

because he would have to remain there for ten years. Despite the obstacles that come with

being an illegal immigrant Vargas did try to make the best out of his situation. With his devotion,

 and the support of friends, he made it through college and was able to pursue a career in journalism.  

Vargas throws himself into his work but worries about his constant lies in a profession 

so dedicated to telling the truth.

            Despite years as a productive American resident, Vargas is still not allowed the luxury of citizenship. He is constantly told to get in line and become a citizen the right way, even though the nation’s convoluted immigration policies provide no option to do so.  Even. Though he has his professional success, his constant lies lead to depression and problems getting close to people.  Impressively, he raises awareness for undocumented people through his writing and speeches. Towards the end of his memoir, while in Texas, Vargas was detained by Border Patrol along with 25 young children and eventually let go, knowing the kids were not as lucky. He talks with his mother and she wonders whether it is time that he come home.  What can Vargas informative and brave memoir provide its readers? Through the guidance that he gives in his memoir Vargas becomes a bold, uplifting voice for unrepresented, undocumented immigrants.  By also sharing his journey of how hiding took a serious toll on him, but how it ultimately led to him to discover that being a citizen does not involve having the proper legal documents, Vargas gets us to think long and hard about our immigrations system.

Hook--Thesis--Summary--Three Points