Explore histories of migration, citizenship and belonging in Germany and the U.S. over the centuries.
In June 2011, the New York Times Magazine published a personal story written by Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer prize-winning, Filipino American journalist, about his life as an undocumented individual.
Vargas’ “My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” was part of a larger, primarily immigrant youth-led call for undocumented people to “come out of the shadows” and organize for immigration reform. The article catapulted Vargas into the national spotlight. One year later, Time magazine published Vargas’ “Define American” as its cover story, in which Vargas chronicled his experience navigating the prior year as both a public figure and an undocumented immigrant. Vargas then launched a web-based project, also called Define American that invites individuals to share their stories and perspectives about American citizenship.
Jose Antonio Vargas. My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant. The New York Times. June 25, 2011. Date accessed: September 13, 2015.
Documented Trailer. The Pacific Arts Movement. Date accessed: September 13, 2015.
Define American. Date accessed: June 16, 2015.
No Documents, No Fear: Ride for Justice. Date accessed: June 16, 2015.
Tom Andes, Peter Orner. Underground America: narratives of documented lives. San Francisco, CA: McSweeney’s Books.
