I'm a little nervous.
Over the last 19 months, I've shared my story and the story of undocumented Americans everywhere with millions of people. But tomorrow morning, I'll be sharing it in testimony before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee.
The people who can actually change law will be listening to me. To us!
I honestly never thought we'd come this far.
Because of you, and because of the millions of Americans stepping up to reframe and rethink how we think...
…I'm a little nervous.
Over the last 19 months, I've shared my story and the story of undocumented Americans everywhere with millions of people. But tomorrow morning, I'll be sharing it in testimony before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee.
The people who can actually change law will be listening to me. To us!
I honestly never thought we'd come this far.
Because of you, and because of the millions of Americans stepping up to reframe and rethink how we think about American immigration, I have the privilege and honor of having this conversation with the United States Senate.
My request is that you join us online during the hearing, starting at 9:30am Eastern time:
Click here to Watch the Senate Judiciary Hearing on Immigration
It's also no coincidence that the hearing will be coming the night after the State of the Union speech by President Obama tonight. We'll be watching and paying special attention to what he has to say.
Follow @defineamerican for comments on #SOTU, and for live updates from the hearing tomorrow morning.
After all these events in Washington this week, we hope there's a message that all of us can share across the country. Immigration is really about ALL of us.
It's not only a Latino issue or an Asian issue; it's an American issue. It's a gay issue. It's both about those who have "papers" and those who don't. Immigration is America's history and it is our future. Diversity is our destiny.
This simple message is being heard because of you, so please tune in and keep engaging in these important conversations on Causes. http://links.causes.com/s/clIN5Z?r=UEDo
Thank you,
Jose
Discuss the video
Contrary to Patricia Rohan's OPINION, you are not a "TRUE AMERICAN". You are breaking the law by being illegal alien. Sorry you cannot understand that.
Ms. Culp you are an idiot.
Donna Hyatt-Culp Since when is stating a fact so wrong? He was not born in the US, he has not taken the test to become a naturlazed citizen, where is he so wrong? Those without sin, let them cast the first stones.....
My father & his entire family immigrated to the US in the late 20's & they did what they needed to do to become legal citizens and my father was younger than you Mr. Vargas.....I don't understand why you think I should feel sorry for you when you know you are illegal & have nothing to become legal......I don't care who you are or what country you come from.....either do it legally or go home.
Sorry Donna Hyatt, Jackson makes perfect sense to me.
In Vargas's place? Get a job with a newspaper in Manila, work there for 10 years, then apply for a visa, just like anybody else.
For some one in his position who thought he was hear legally and it turns out he was not then I have no problem helping him out. I do have a problem with adults that cross our borders and expect to stay here knowing they violated our laws. We should not reward those that intentionally violate our laws. There are people that wait years to come to the us and bring there families.
Bee Dee: Absolutely, this legal immigrant agrees with you.
Ignorance is no excuse for not knowing or breaking the law. Ask any judge!!
Food for thought: do you know how much it cost to actually do citizenship paperwork? You dont want immigrants to work but want them to pay taxes? Your mad at an immigrant for doing the only jobs they can get because most citizens will never do those jobs because the can become a couch potato and collect social security benifits? Yes there are some immigrants who milk the system and I sure dont agree with it but generalizing is just ridiculous. Some immigrants are more of a member of society...
…Food for thought: do you know how much it cost to actually do citizenship paperwork? You dont want immigrants to work but want them to pay taxes? Your mad at an immigrant for doing the only jobs they can get because most citizens will never do those jobs because the can become a couch potato and collect social security benifits? Yes there are some immigrants who milk the system and I sure dont agree with it but generalizing is just ridiculous. Some immigrants are more of a member of society than some americans I know. Guess what they would probably be the first to help you before some stuck up american would. Where is everyone humanity? If God forbid farming happened America and you had to more to a different country would you like the natives thinking about you in such manner? What are we teaching our future generations?
It costs what it costs. Many others are becoming citizens after paying the cost, so should the millions of illegal aliens living here. And we have got to secure our borders.
Ok fine reguardless what it cost, there are come who would love to apply but cannot because it is nearly impossible And most of then fear being deported.
You notice that Mr. Vargas has not replied once to any of these comments. Starting a conversation he states? Bull, he is talking AT us and expects us to conform to his way of thinking.
Steinar, I love your passion for this subject. I personally don't have a problem with him coming to our country, I'm just upset that he forgot to sign the guest book on the way in and now has created a web of lies and deceit to cover up that little oversight.
Word.
I don't care about your video and I did not watch it.
Illegal, or unlawful, is used to describe something that is prohibited or not authorized by law.
Illegal immigration is migration to a country/state in violation of the immigration laws and sovereignty of that country/state.
Illegal immigrant n. an alien (non-citizen) who has entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa.
The United States of America (USA), commonly called the...
…I don't care about your video and I did not watch it.
Illegal, or unlawful, is used to describe something that is prohibited or not authorized by law.
Illegal immigration is migration to a country/state in violation of the immigration laws and sovereignty of that country/state.
Illegal immigrant n. an alien (non-citizen) who has entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa.
The United States of America (USA), commonly called the United States (US or U.S.) and America, is a federal constitutional republic consisting of fifty states and a federal district.
Americans, or American people, are citizens, or natives, of the United States of America.
Citizenship denotes the link between a person and a state or an association of states. It is normally synonymous with the term nationality although the latter term may also refer to ethnic connotations. Possession of citizenship is normally associated with the right to work and live in a country and to participate in political life.
A person who does not have citizenship in any state is so unlawfully, or illegally.
There is nothing to talk about. Become a citizen of the United States lawfully and become a citizen. That is the American way. Enough said!
Ms Donna ,Excuse me, you seem like you voicing your opinion one anyone who does'nt agree with you. I find this wrong WE all should be able to express our opinions
Very well said David Harrellson
This story is not about "Illegals" who are jumping over fences (or through hoops) or however you chose to word it to enter our country illegally! This is about a TWELVE year old CHILD, who came to the U.S because of a decision his parents made, to have a better life. NO DIFFERNET than the decision my husband & I made to adopt to 2 child from Guatemala, so they too could have a better life. This is a story about BOTCHED PAPERWORK, and the failure on so many levels that Jose has had to endure....
…This story is not about "Illegals" who are jumping over fences (or through hoops) or however you chose to word it to enter our country illegally! This is about a TWELVE year old CHILD, who came to the U.S because of a decision his parents made, to have a better life. NO DIFFERNET than the decision my husband & I made to adopt to 2 child from Guatemala, so they too could have a better life. This is a story about BOTCHED PAPERWORK, and the failure on so many levels that Jose has had to endure. Jose is NOT an "Illegal" (ugh. I HATE that word) but a hard working, self sufficient man who is carrying his OWN weight, unlike so many "proud Americans" cannot due for themselves. Before u bash Jose, stop and think about how many "Legals" he is supporting from his own, hardworking money!
Then his parents made the criminal decision, so he needs to be mad at them, not America and our laws! How the hell did they conceal from him that he was not supposed to be here? And once he DID learn it, instead of turn himself in and take his consequences, he tries to bitch and say that the LAW is wrong! I heard of the culture of entitlement America is starting, even the CRIMINALS think they're entitled now!
Eric, though you are correct, the liberals will not look at their personal responsibility in this matter. It's how liberals operate...first you create a victim and then you have to pay for it...
ALL IMMAGRINTS SHOULD BE SNET BACK TO THEIR HOME LANDS BECUSE OUR COUNTRY IS CANADA NO THEIRS, THEY COME ACROSS THE BORDER AND TRY TO TAKE OVER EVERYTHING WHEN ITS OUR COUNTRY NOT THEIRS, SO SEND THEM BACK AND FEND FOR THEMSELVES INSTED OF COMMING OVER HERE AND TAKING ALL OUR JOBS AND THINK THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT, WHICH THEY ARE, THAT's OUR GOUVERNMENTS FAULT FOR LETTING IT HAPPEN.