Define American: Jose's Story

Welcome to a new conversation about immigration in our country.
To learn more and share your story, visit www.DefineAmeri...
Define American is dedicated to changing the conversation about immigrants in America who are an inexorable part of our communities and our society. Founded by award-winning multimedia journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, Define American harnesses the power of storytelling and social media to bring about greater awareness of and support for immigration reform.
Video credits:
Directed by Brett Brownell
Produced by Jose Antonio Vargas, Jehmu Greene, Alicia Menendez, and Jake Brewer
Edited by Mike Pullano
Music by Tyler Strickland
About us 👋
Hello, and welcome to our channel! We are a narrative and culture change organization that uses media and the power of storytelling to transcend politics and shift the conversation about immigrants, identity, and citizenship in a changing America.
We humanize the conversation on immigration through television consulting, original content development and production, media advocacy, and live events. Our work aims to answer one question - how do you #DefineAmerican?
Subscribe for more videos on #Immigration and the American identity: bit.ly/subscribedefineamerican
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[@Jaz-nm4fw]

"The next day she told me that the choir was going to Hawaii instead." crying.

[@odiggler]

This guy is more American than most people borned here!

[@LostinOtterSpace]

Thank you for being so strong.. honestly, we all owe you thanks for your acceptance of our people here.

[@Scarlett4Zanzibar]

He was a kid when he found out. Can you imagine? And look how he contributes to our society! He excels! You people need to STOP HATING.

[@HelderP1337]

Amazing watch! From someone who just moved the to the US slightly more than a year ago, I couldn't agree more!

[@ANGELESSINFRONTERAS]

You are my hero for being so courageous! I am an American citizen, I vote in every election, and I am very active in my community. Love will overcome hate and racism. We are all in this boat together.

[@galumalemana907]

INSPIRING. I'm similarly in the same position! God bless you man & to everyone in this unfortunate circumstance.

[@ANGELESSINFRONTERAS]

Sign the petition to stop all night deportations in change.org

[@chancemaygren2817]

Thank you for sharing your story. You have forever changed my outlook on immigration. Very inspiring!!!

[@msgurunganita]

No matter what people say's I support you Jose Antonio. You will be always in my prayers. I believe we all are children of one father (GOD ) and we all are brother and sister.

[@ghayath2011]

Give this man his damn green card

[@applexy]

What a great benefit you do to society. Kicking people out that have contributed to society in a brilliant way. Great.

[@marthamendoza8640]

BEAUTIFUL SUPPORT GROUP HE HAD!!❤❤❤

[@dallasbagley]

Had the pleasure of working with Jose over these last few days. Great man. Didn't really know who he was until after the fact.

[@user-wh9gv4cs2e]

Indefatigable- (of a person or their efforts) persisting tirelessly. American- A native or citizen of the United States. The only natives to the land are Native Americans. I love this man, he inspires me.

[@Master...deBater]

Meriel Joseph PROPAGANDA- Information used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.

[@Master...deBater]

Meriel Joseph So let me get this straight, you're inspired by an admitted felon? Using a fake green card is a felony punishable by five years in prison. This fucking criminal should be deported immediately.

[@user-wh9gv4cs2e]

MASTER deBATER. I am an adult. Most importantly I am an adult entitled to my OWN opinion. Christopher Columbus was an immigrant with a gun. He was weak. I choose to believe and think what I want and feel. Everyone is an immigrant except native Americans, whom happen to have the highest suicide rate in America because of how they have been treated in their own NATIVE land. I can be inspired by WHATEVER I CHOOSE TO BE INSPIRED BY. I have freedom of speech and religion. Everyone in my opinion is an IMMIIGRANT except native Americans. Unless you are a native American you should also be deported. What are you so afraid of? That you wont be able to get a job ? Study harder. I am not afraid of immigrants because I understand history. I LOVE GREATNESS. Only Mediocre/WEAK people fear greatness.

[@Master...deBater]

Meriel Joseph The problem is that you don't understand history. The history of mankind is the history of warfare and slaughter. The Lakota slaughtered the Pawnee, the Blackfeet slaughtered the Crow, the Zulu slaughtered all the other African tribes around them. The Mongols slaughtered the Russians, and the Chinese. The Europeans simply excelled at slaughter, like the Cheetah excels at running. You cannot blame the winner simply for winning at a "sport" engaged in by all peoples throughout history. The aboriginal Americans are very proud of the slaughter of their historic enemies, yet you blame the European simply because he won the game. Sounds like sour grapes to me.

[@user-wh9gv4cs2e]

I understand history pretty well. This is my opinion, you won't change it. Murder is not a sport. If and when there is a new winner you shouldn't be upset either. Don't be afraid of competition, change is constant. I am still inspired and I can't sound like anything because there is no audio on written posts.

[@V1sual3y3z]

this was so moving and beautiful. I am so grateful to him for speaking out and bring awareness to issues of immigration.

[@manchurianscilly8785]

DACA Deport All Criminal Aliens. Like him.

[@AnnaArderiu13]

great video - nice person - go on like this

[@ginesdepasamonte]

We not only asked them to come, we begged them to come , and some of them we forced to come. And once they come, they make this nation a better place.

[@celesteestrada3705]

it is so sad to read these comments and just sense all of the hate. You don't know what these people go through. You don't know what it feels to one day realize your life isn't what you thought it was. You will NEVER understand the struggle and the pain. Your fear and your hate blinds you. You xenophobes are blind to the fact that there are people who are different, but that doesn't make them a reason to be viewed as threat. I pray that one day you heartless people find out the wrong in your words. God forgive them, for they don't know

[@RollingBobbyJones]

I know you are... way too stupid to understand how the world works. Just because other countries aren't cucks doesn't mean we should be. Half of the shit he says would not exist if he just signed up for a damn citizenship, it takes some time and people who wanted to be citizens worked to get it and he can too. Its like whining that he doesn't have the remote and the TV is too far to change the channel but instead of walking to do so, he throws a fit on why he has to walk to the TV to change the channel. y'all petty stfu

[@gc8972b]

he's manipulating your emotions, lady

[@angelodzn07]

@03Terrestre If I remember it correctly one of the Requirement to attain citizenship on countries under spanish rule during the 1800's was to change his/her name to a spanish name or religious name So instead of Lapu-Lapu or Kudarat being the name of filipinos it was changed to jose, maria and other spanish sounding name

[@golden-63]

Why hasn't he been arrested and deported yet?

[@ginesdepasamonte]

Not to worry then; I'm going to write a whole book for you. Congratulations!

[@christophersanchez5418]

This guy is such a bad actor. I'm from the Philippines and he's giving us a bad name. Become a citizen and get it over with.

[@firstlast9916]

Christopher Sanchez How? Undocumented immigrants can’t even apply.

[@johnlovescathyforevers6116]

How does everyone else do it??

[@manchurianscilly8785]

@@firstlast9916 the term is " illegal alien"

[@firstlast9916]

John loves Cathy forever s they don’t. There is no application for them.

[@firstlast9916]

Manchurian Scilly yup. So is cockroach. But I’m not going to use that to describe human beings. You can be as immoral as you want to be. But I consider people to be our species.

[@pozoantonette]

I consider by myself that inmigrant people is one of the most worth and brave!!

[@waterfallwoman]

I'm not lost at all. I'm a strong Aanishinaabe kwe (native woman) who knows who I am, where I came from and where I'm going. I also have a strong First Nations family who loves me, including a huge extended family. There are a lot more of us than you realize, little man, and we're not going away.

[@DestructoPop]

I stand up for immigrants. As a natural born citizen, I have no more right to be here than you, by any stretch of imagination. You worked to be here and you work hard to stay here. I was born to it and all I work for is my own survival. I spit at those who condemn you or other immigrants for living on their own strength exactly where they want to live.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

I am gratified that you found it persuasive.

[@ferdiehernandez]

When I visited the US in 1992, there was a suggestion from friends and relatives to stay behind as an illegal. I didn't. I was an adult, and I believed that it was better choice for me to stay in the Philippines and contribute what little I can do to make my country a better place to live in.

[@Phierecephairy]

Im a CANADIAN! and i wanna cry

[@aqstoy]

I was born in Central American I AM AN AMERICAN!!! i became a US CITIZEN I AM AN AMERICAN HMMMM NO WAIT IAM A NORTH AMERICAN CITIZEN!!!! Greetings from Downey California!!!!

[@ginesdepasamonte]

Almost all...? Which ones are and which ones are not? And how do you know?

[@ginesdepasamonte]

On the contrary, there were 500+ nations. In the northeast alone there were the: Abenaki, Algonkin, Beothuk, Delaware, Erie, Fox, Huron, Illinois, Iroquois, Kickapoo, Mahican, Mascouten, Massachuset, Mattabesic, Menominee, Metoac, Miami, Micmac, Mohegan, Montagnais, Narragansett, Nauset, Neutrals, Niantic, Nipissing, Nipmuc, Ojibwe, Ottawa, Pennacook, Pequot, Pocumtuck, Potawatomi, Sauk, Shawnee, Susquehannock, Tionontati, Wampanoag, Wappinger, Wenro, Winnebago. Where is that BA in history from?

[@ginesdepasamonte]

I understand perfectly; it is not I who struggles with the language, it is you.

[@DoodleTaffy]

I agree, I don't know why not, I guess that's part of the point of his message, that he doesn't see a need to have papers because it's not about legal papers, but more of the characteristics of a person that makes them American. I do agree with this, but I don't think there's anything wrong with becoming a legal immigrant.

[@babycookimonsta]

these comments smh. people clearly can't read or listen or write. probably most of them high school drop outs with kids while a lot of us with degrees never retaliate back. anyways Jose i am doing a report on you for my college class and the more i find out about you the more meaning you give to everything you put yourself through and the efforts you put in to really define who we are and what being American really means. Don't let anyone or any comment change who you are and what you are

[@ginesdepasamonte]

It is not fault that I would apportion among the people but rather credit. We the people have invited these people into our country in so many ways and we have invited ourselves into their countries in so many ways that it is only natural that we be gracious hosts to those who do so much for us. We can keep telling them to ignore your fringe group of racist malcontents; it seems to be working.

[@iiiears]

A touching video. - Thank You.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

Good catch

[@DavidWees]

To the people commenting that "It's the Law, deal with it." Who do you think writes the law? Who decides what is legal? Law is a covenant between all of us to decide how we agree to live together. If a law doesn't work, we fix it. That's how it works. It takes time, and the process is often messy, but fundamentally, laws aren't absolute, they are part of the great conversation we call Democracy.

[@Fingolfin3423]

This video is an example of a success story, and there are many people like Jose Antonio Vargas who are "American," however you want to define it. However, this isn't a black and white issue as presented in the video. In the real world, there are millions of people who take advantage of the system, abuse it, and impose the costs of their decisions upon legal citizens. That's not "American," nor is it just or fair. Strict immigration accountability is valid, important, and fair to all.

[@josecabrera3647]

You sound like a really nice guy :) hehe my name is Jose too. I do hope many more people can start understanding so they can support this cause

[@marycooper1853]

Thank you for sharing, such a beautiful resilient story !!!

[@ginesdepasamonte]

You forget, my nation is the US. So...

[@Flacoguapo85]

@STARSandBARS1994 In addition, I personally do believe that there are two extremes of this immigration debate and I am part of neither. Jose is doing what I have been asking people for the last decade: inviting people of our society to enter into a dialogue to reach a reasonable solution to the situation we have been given. It's not your fault, it's not my fault, but we must all join together to find some kind of middle ground. You nor I may be happy with the outcome but we must all join in.

[@skirm123]

We have to have hope and be positive. He has to be a leader and go back to his country. He can then prove to the world how much he loves and respects the USA by coming her legally. This is his time to shine.

[@Sickboiy27]

this video made me cry.. I WISH he could come to where im living and talk to all the teenagers that is throwing their lives away not going to school and just being LAZY

[@skirm123]

I understand what your saying but many are looking up to this man returning back to where he's from and applying legally to come to the United States. He can accomplish this. Many will want to follow in his footsteps.

[@JohnGuitarSolo]

I'm a fan of these videos !! Thank you for sharing them they really do Define America God Bless John Guitar Solo

[@PinkRhythm428]

I found this video as I was searching for speeches over immigration. Though I cannot use it because I need something over parents being deported and the hardships it causes to the family (that is my research topic), I am saving this. Your story is inspirational, despite anything anyone else says.

[@Marcus001]

Give this man a citizenship

[@ginesdepasamonte]

You want for me to name just one? How am I to choose just one? Shall I point out al the taxes they pay while never filing for returns? Shall I mention how much they boost the job market? Shall I make reference to all the crops that would never be planted or never be tended or never be harvested or never be processed, et cetera, were it not for these immigrants doing the work? Shall I opt for all the cultural contributions made in the performing arts and visual arts and literature and sports...?

[@TedSeeber]

"It should be about living and working where you want to. We are all people. Our rights should all be the same." The day the entire world decides to become an American State and give up all soverignity, you will be right. Until then- "Living and working where you want to" needs to include following the law where you are.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

I'll take that as affirmation.

[@waterfallwoman]

Chi Miigwetch, Ravina (Thank you). Eastern Cherokee and Choctaw here. My husband is Ojibwe. My nephew is Pawnee. My family agrees with your comment.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

on the contrary, the US is one of the largest Latin American countries, even one of the largest Hispanic American countries, and we share the continent and a border with the largest Latin/Hispanic American country. Also, much of what is now the US was Mexico not so very long ago. They did not cross the border so much as the border crossed them. North America: Latin America since 1492.

[@binkiie4dictator]

PEOPLE- Proving we are more than just a name on a piece of paper since the beginning of time

[@ginesdepasamonte]

That is certainly good news. And California is the world's 15th economy all by itself. That speaks well for Hispanic productivity.

[@Dagame0523]

I hope the Dream Act passes. He deserves a chance to legalization.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

I AM settled in one of the glorious 21 Hispanic nations: The USA. This nation is Latin American, like most of the American continents. What border would you have me cross? Illinois? Wisconsin? Minnesota? Iowa? Indiana? Ohio? Michigan? As long as it's a Big 10 state I'm happy to oblige. You did finally get one thing correct this time. You said that "Hispanics ARE NOT here in greater numbers than in any other Latin nation." That is correct: Mexico does has more Hispanics than the US. That's it.

[@theonethatcounts90]

What would I do. I would call the INS..

[@TheRealRobertito]

this is true!! EVERYONE from the AMERICAN continent is an AMERICAN...Canadians, Mexicans and people from the United States are NORTH AMERICANS/AMERICANS, just like there are the other Americans fro South America and Central America..we are ALL AMERICA NS!!!!!

[@ginesdepasamonte]

In this case, cutting corners reflects far more on the inappropriateness of the corners than it does on the the incorrectness of those cutting them. Fix the corners and people will stop cutting them. You also ignore our complicity in the corner cutting and the fact that the corners are being cut in the land of corner-cutting, a land made great by corner-cutters.

[@rodblackhurst]

Really great and technically well made video. Well done!

[@OpinionDuke305]

People thinking immigrants take away opportunities need to realize that immigrants actually create opportunities. First of all, new blood coming in with the desire to succeed helps to remind us of how lucky we are to be here, it makes us get better at what we do so we can compete. Many immigrants go on to open small business, other champion expansions within corporations that create opportunities, others have even gone on to create multimillion dollar companies.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

That is about the most simplistic solution I have heard yet...

[@slimsean]

I love in NY. I was lucky enough recently to receive a visa. I love this country but something has to change with immigration now.

[@EricVargas14]

@PatriotSue. Let your law do the talking.

[@ctcole77]

ImplosionWorld “We have never, ever heard the term “pull it” being used to refer to the explosive demolition of a building, and neither has any blast team we’ve spoken with. The term is used in conventional demolition circles, to describe the specific activity of attaching long cables to a pre-weakened building and maneuvering heavy equipment (excavators, bulldozers, etc.) to “pull” the frame of the structure over onto its side for further dismantlement.” 911 TRUTH DEBUNKED!

[@CarlosIvanDonet]

Great stuff!

[@ginesdepasamonte]

It is aways gratifying to find one of your blunders that is even comprehensible; it is especially gratifying to find one that is both comprehensible and works to my advantage.

[@houstonhelix]

This guy won the Pulitzer. What do you do, Samantha?

[@ericmasters9680]

Not all immigrants are hardworking or Pulitzer prize winners. Some of them escape from their country because they murder or rape somebody or simply to avoid justice for a crime they committed. No country should denies citizenship to someone that have goo intention, to stay with family, work, study or simple escape from dictatorship, but that kind of control must exist to minimize potential danger for the community.

[@Krista-k5v]

Where is the workshop? DEFINE AMERICAN: IMMIGRANT STORIES WORKSHOP? Why is this not online? Note that Facebook is attacking any that try to access your pages or share posts. You need to deal with META about this fact.

[@slimjimzquinn27]

@chessonmyshirt You are exactly right. People have these unflinching obedience to laws without critically looking at them first. I'm law abiding, sure, but only after I gauge my own moral compass. I agree with you: how can you say the law is always moral when it was so discriminatory towards so many kinds of people before? I knew these comments would worm their way into this video and I'm glad people like you are standing up to the trolls.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

In that case you should have no problem with the undocumented. I'm glad we cleared that up.

[@DamienRasheed]

Amazing story. Inspiring.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

Neither our nation nor the white race are in any danger from from our multicultural, multiethnic, pluralistic reality. The sooner that is understood, the better life will be for all involved.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

Estoy totalmente de acuerdo. Gracias por comentar; me canso de leer puro odio. Ayuda mucho tu positivismo y astucia.

[@wanderlustboy9130]

I just saw mr. Jose vargas yesterday in person. (:

[@omgnuub]

@Axon36 that would be the general consensus amongst people on what the continents are. google continents and I'll assure you that South and North America will be different continents. If you for some reason try to argue that since they're connected they are one continent, then by that logic Asia and Europe is the same continent aswell. That is obviously not the case and Asia and Europe share a vast border while the two Americas does not. But if it's another arguement I'd be dying to hear it.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

Regarding your imperative concerning reflexive copulation I believe the most appropriate response might be: You first.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

That must be unique to NY, because numbers are dropping all over the US.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

"We" is the people of the US. And regardless of what your informal poll says, the people who vote in one politician or another do so knowing that many more issues will come across the politician's desk while serving than will be discussed during any campaign. However, in the case of immigrants, business and agriculture and education, et cetera, have been doing the asking. And nobody asked natural borne Americans like you, in part, because you are an immigrant as well, like the whole country!

[@BunnyUnplugged]

@TheNavySantos I guess so... I've always wondered, because there are North and South Americans, so when referring to them collectively, you use the word "Americas" but when referring to any individual country, technically they all Americans in the broader sense.The definition of America also changes depending on which dictionary from which country you are looking at. All that being said, I do think Jose Vargas is living a very honourable life. I'd be proud to have him in my country :)

[@ginesdepasamonte]

You are at liberty to droop out at any time. Also, it is I, not you, who is endeavoring to preserve the nation.

[@samsnoodle]

And not have to pay $500 for Citizen and passport when I have been here for 30 friggen 3 years. It's discusting!

[@MrMosheMoll]

I know that struggle exactly brother. Much respect. Thank you Obama for keeping this hope alive.

[@Krista-k5v]

PLEASE POST YOUR WORKSHOPS SO PEOPLE CAN SEE WHAT YOU ARE TEACHING.DEFINE AMERICAN: IMMIGRANT STORIES WORKSHOP

[@KUVVAlTi]

Who would dislike this?!

[@samsnoodle]

Well I understand.. My parents didn't register me when I arrived into nz when I was just 3 years old. I am 36 now. And I am fighting for my citizenship! Mother is Kiwi and have a whakapapa, Father English, my passport is Australian. I too have a Whakapapa, but yet I am not a citizen only a resident. The fight began 4 years ago, but was warned I will be deported back to OZ, even tho both Countries share a lot and not that far apart. I just want a letter saying, "You are a Citizen of NZ"

[@NoldorianElf]

The first syrian refugees arrived here in Germany just some days ago and yes there are people who dont want them here. Awful. A weeks ago, news around the world spread horrific pidcture from the gas attack against civilians in Syria. It is now now known, where tons of chemical material were delivered from. Exact those which are needed to make chemical weapons: Germany. Everybody involved knew that these particular chemical materials shouldn't be exported to goverments like the one in Damaskus.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

You are free to leave the conversation at any time.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

So many have said so and yet, here I remain.

[@Darksagan]

Its pretty disgusting seeing thumbs down on a video like this. I guess that's KZbin for ya.

[@JacobP81]

Not to be critical, but how come you can't get the right papers? Why can't you and people in your situation become legal citizens?

[@NatalieCoon]

Why can't we move to a world where we start viewing each other as people? It shouldn't be about where you're born. It should be about living and working where you want to. We are all people. Our rights should all be the same.

[@skirm123]

Hopefully this man will do the right thing and return to his home country and apply for citizenship, to enter this country legally. He has the chance to set the example, to prove he's not a criminal. He must come here legally to prove to the world this is the right way to do things. All the nations are watching him now. He must do this.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

Not at all, never thought I was the first. as a matter of fact, I cannot believe anybody not calling you a racist or a bigot after having met or spoken with you. It is a very simple observation to make.

[@ginesdepasamonte]

When one economy creates the circumstances in other economies that lead to migration, that same economy has no right to deny any migration for which it is responsible. If you do not want people moving into your economy from another, do not create the conditions that make that move necessary.

[@umawangmo8488]

American or not, you can't let a piece of paper identify who you are. It is our job to be good citizens of the world. Sure, not having proper documents give you obstacles in life but that doesn't mean you need to give up, it's life..obstacles come in all different sizes. And having those "proper" documents doesn't mean you are superior than others. No being is superior or inferior, we're all sentient beings ultimately wanting the same thing.