Jose Antonio Vargas

Jose Antonio Vargas, born on February 3, 1981, is a prominent journalist, filmmaker, and advocate for immigration rights. Originally hailing from the Philippines, Vargas relocated to the United States at the age of twelve. His career took off when he was part of the team at The Washington Post that earned the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting in 2008, recognizing their in-depth coverage of the tragic Virginia Tech shooting. Vargas has also contributed his talents to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Philadelphia Daily News, and The Huffington Post.

In 2013, he wrote, produced, and directed the autobiographical documentary *Documented*, which aired on CNN Films in June 2014. A defining moment in his career came in June 2011 when he publicly disclosed his status as an undocumented immigrant in an essay for The New York Times Magazine, aiming to foster discussions about the U.S. immigration system and advocate for the DREAM Act. His candid narrative continued to resonate, especially after a pivotal Time cover story in 2012, which coincided with the Obama administration's announcement to defer deportations for certain undocumented young people.

Vargas is the founder of Define American, a nonprofit dedicated to redefining what it means to be American. His memoir, *Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen*, was released in September 2018. In recognition of his influence and commitment to education, he was appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees by Governor Gavin Newsom in July 2022.