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Vargas Reaction Paper
Vargas Reaction Paper
Vargas Reaction Paper
O Nubla
1. Summary
In 1993, Vargas was brought to America to live with his Lolo and Lola. He lived
his life, thinking he was an American citizen, but when he turned 16 and was turned
away at the DMV when he attempted to get a driver’s permit, he found out that he had
fake documents, and that he was an undocumented immigrant.
He continued living his life with the fear of being found out and being deported,
and strived to be a successful person, hoping he could earn his citizenship. At
Highschool, he came out as gay, dashing his grandfather’s hopes of him marrying an
American woman, and becoming a legal citizen. He became a successful journalist, and
did many things, but before he became 30 years old, he finally got tired of running and
hiding. He wrote this article to tell his story, hoping that it will push the Obama
Administration to help undocumented immigrants rather than just deport them.
2. "I decided then that I could never give anyone reason to doubt I was an American. I
convinced myself that if I worked enough, if I achieved enough, I would be rewarded with
citizenship. I felt I could earn it." - Vargas
1. In your own opinion, do the ends justify the means? In other words, desite his
illegal status, should Vargas be granted legal immigrant status/citizenship because
he has proven himself worthy, and that he has attained success in the field of
journalism, albeit all odds? Why or why not?
No, because according to the law, he is still an illegal immigrant, and broke
many laws by continually hiding and presenting fake documents to people.
Even if he has achieved success, if he doesn’t go through the proper process
of attaining citizenship, he will not be able to become a legal immigrant.