iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Jose Antonio Vargas

Gael Gonzus @gaelgonzus.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

"When white people move, then and now, it's seen as courageous and necessary, celebrated in history books. Yet when people of color move, legally or illegally, the migration itself is subjected to question of legality." - DearAmerica, Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

“Most Americans have no culture or education; they only have entertainment.” —Gore Vidal

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

These “yet to be United States of America”—James Baldwin’s phrasing—has forever been in denial about slavery and its central place in US history. Trump’s MAGA—which followed the Obama era—digs even deeper in denial. A country cannot change what it refuses to face.

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Fixing a broken immigration system is possible. And it’s what the people want! Article by Omar G. Encarnación on @nytimes.com

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

Today marks my 32nd year in what James Baldwin calls “these yet to be United States.” We all need to keep talking about solutions to our immigration problems. We cannot keep throwing our own tax dollars—billions of it!

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

We need real solutions for our broken immigration system from both Democrats and Republicans.

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Public attitudes toward immigrant enforcement are finally shifting. I spoke about it on PBS NewsHour. www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

#SupermanIsAnImmigrant They say Superman shouldn’t be political — but he always has been. Read the full story in @thr.com www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

In 2012, I stood on the cover of TIME alongside other undocumented immigrants to call attention to a broken immigration system — yet here we are in 2025, still facing fear, attacks, and uncertainty in our communities. Read the full story: time.com/7300053/immi...

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Honored to be part of Humanity First: Reframing Immigration Through the Lens of Dignity — a virtual panel hosted by The King Center on July 9 with Maria Teresa Kumar and Dr. Bernice A. King. Join us!

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Telling the stories of im/migrants with nuance and complexity has been my life’s work — and it began with my own. Because of America’s broken immigration system, I was physically separated from my mother and sister for 31 years. We reunited at last. Watch our story now: youtu.be/D26-QdVWOXU?...

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Don Graham — former Washington Post publisher and co-founder of thedream.us — has spent decades advocating for undocumented students who grew up in the U.S. without a clear path to citizenship. Watch the full episode now on youtube.com/DefineAmerican

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Unpack America’s interdependence with immigrants in the latest episode: “Could America Survive Without Immigrant Nannies and Caregivers? with Ai-jen Poo" Now streaming everywhere you get your podcasts www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzp7...

youtube.com

Could America Survive Without Immigrant Nannies and Caregivers? With Ai-jen Poo

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Yes, undocumented people pay taxes. Now the IRS is working w/ DHS to use confidential tax data against them. Don't miss this conversation with law professor Francine Lipman about the devastating impacts of IRS and DHS collaboration on both immigrants and our economy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fTC...

youtube.com

Yes, "Illegal" Immigrants Pay Taxes

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas

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Reposted by Jose Antonio Vargas

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon @replsimon.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

"We subjugate those who we believe can be scapegoated..." Listen to my conversation with @joseiswriting.bsky.social about the current political attitudes on immigration. LINK HERE: youtu.be/0UOOjs4Oyo0?...

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

“The attempt to pit us against one another — it will always fail.” Watch my full conversation with Rep. Lateefah Simon @replsimon.bsky.social youtu.be/0UOOjs4Oyo0?...

youtu.be

Immigrants Are Not the Reason Why Eggs Are Expensive, With Rep. Lateefah Simon

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

What can Democrats do to fight back against Trump's anti-immigrant agenda? I asked the top Democrat on the House Judiciary immigration subcommittee, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal @pramilajayapal.bsky.social @jayapal.house.gov

youtu.be

How House Democrats Can Fight Back, with Rep. Pramila Jayapal

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas

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Reposted by Jose Antonio Vargas

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon @replsimon.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Glad to be reunited with my friend @joseiswriting.bsky.social to talk about how we can support our communities at home, envision a new narrative for immigration, and support our DREAMers and mixed status families. Look out for our full conversation coming soon!

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Tomorrow, I reunite with my mother and sister after 31 years. Migration is more than politics—it’s about people. Watch the full episode www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb34...

youtube.com

Reuniting With Mama — After 31 Years Apart

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

I’m 44 today—over 30 years spent fighting to be “legal.” Humanizing the immigrant narrative is my life’s work. For my b-day, subscribe to YouTube.com/defineamerican & share with 4 friends! We’ve got powerful episodes on undocumented artists, deportations, and more. Let’s keep the conversation going!

youtube.com

Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas

Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas is the source for news and conversation about immigration in America today, including politics, media, culture, personal stories, breaking news, and more. Def...

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Catch the latest episode of Define American, where Maria Hinojosa and I discuss what the media gets wrong about immigration youtu.be/OGc5IEvSI_c

youtu.be

What the Media Gets Wrong About Immigration With Maria Hinojosa

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas

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Reposted by Jose Antonio Vargas

Giselle “G” Töngi @gtongi.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

If you watch one thing today- watch this thought provoking conversation @defineamerican.bsky.social with @joseiswriting.bsky.social interviewing Maria Hinojosa youtu.be/OGc5IEvSI_c

youtu.be

What the Media Gets Wrong About Immigration With Maria Hinojosa

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Last week, I joined a panel on CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip. Ashley Allison shared that I was the first undocumented person she met as a public servant. She made an important point: when you understand people’s stories and humanize them, they stop being reduced to stereotypes.

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Reposted by Jose Antonio Vargas

Cindy Fazzi @cindyfazzi.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Fellow Fil-Am @joseiswriting.bsky.social reminds us undocumented #immigrants caught in deportation frenzy are the very people who deliver your DoorDash in the middle of blizzard, provide strawberries in your salad, lettuce in your hamburgers & do everything you don't want to do. #immigration

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

In the latest Define American episode, I’m joined by @paolamendoza.bsky.social to discuss the state of the resistance and the power of art in social change. Paola co-founded the 2017 Women’s March and is a filmmaker, author, and more. Catch the full episode: youtu.be/Ob1OHE5EORo

youtu.be

How Artists, Activists, and Parents Can Respond to Trump's Immigration Agenda w/ Paola Mendoza

YouTube video by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas

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Reposted by Jose Antonio Vargas

ABEL ZAVALA | Author @abelzauthor.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Starting this #book today, and I feel it's a perfectly timed to #read. DEAR AMERICA: NOTES OF AN UNDOCUMENTED CITIZEN by Jose Antonio Vargas * About the book * Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist tackles one of the defining issues of our time in this explosive and deeply personal call to arms.

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Reposted by Jose Antonio Vargas

💙 DebbyR Freedom & Democracy Lover #Angret @capecoddebby.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Urge everyone to follow @joseiswriting.bsky.social “Follow the money”

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Reposted by Jose Antonio Vargas

Heather Knight @heatherknightsf.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Please read this piece by my dear friend @joseiswriting.bsky.social who has contributed so much to the United States and has important insight into our immigration system. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/o...

nytimes.com

Opinion | I Was an Undocumented Immigrant. I Beg You to See the Nuance in Our Stories.

The situations of undocumented immigrants are varied, and call for a variety of solutions.

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Reposted by Jose Antonio Vargas

The Weeknight on MS NOW @weeknightmsnow.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

“So when the Speaker of the House says dollar for dollar investment, what are we actually talking about” @joseiswriting.bsky.social debunks Speaker Johnson’s assertions that undocumented immigrants commit high rates of crimes.

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

After 31 years, 4 months, and 28 days—11,473 days—I’m finally documented. To watch the full episode of this journey, head over to YouTube.com/defineamerican or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Thank you Yosimar for bravely shedding light on the harsh reality many undocumented families face when navigating the painful decisions of forced ‘self-deportation.’ Watch the full episode, ‘Poet Yosimar Reyes on Making Space for Art Amidst Panic and Gloom,’ on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, & Spotify.

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Cesar Espinosa, co-founder of FIEL — the largest immigrant-led civil rights organization in Houston — reminds us, we must not only support but truly embody our values by fighting and physically showing up for our undocumented families. Watch the full episode YouTube.com/DefineAmerican

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Reposted by Jose Antonio Vargas

DamnIdol 💙🦋 @dmidol47.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

youtube.com/watch?v=de-R... NEW to me favorite podcast #DefineAmerican with Jose Antonio Vargas…

youtube.com

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Reposted by Jose Antonio Vargas

Santita Jackson @santitajackson.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Pls support @defineamerican.bsky.social w/ Jose Antonio Vargas, @joseiswriting.bsky.social. He's brilliant! Just saw his convo w/TX ST REP GENE WU on the Undocumented & backlash against them, as well the Debt all Americans of Color owe Black Americans. Illuminating! youtube.com/watch?v=de-R...

youtube.com

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Jose Antonio Vargas @joseiswriting.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

Happy to be here. Who else has seen Audra McDonald in Gypsy?

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