How I Got “Legal” After 31 Years as an Undocumented American

On Christmas night, for the first time since arriving in California as an undocumented immigrant on August 3, 1993, I left the United States. Crossing the border into Mexico for a U.S. consulate interview in Tijuana, I had a chance at finally obtaining a visa after living undocumented for 31 years. With no guarantee of approval, I packed for an uncertain journey that could last days, weeks, or months. While waiting for my interview results, I wrestled with profound questions: What is home? Who am I without America? During those intense hours of self-reflection, I came to a powerful realization: my work is global. For me, being undocumented is not an identity—it’s a condition. Above all else—beyond being gay or Filipino—I identify as a human being who happens to be a journalist. Journalism is the lens through which I understand the world and my role within it. At a time when migration in the modern world is one of the most defining issues of our era, I believe there is no more critical moment to document and shed light on this global movement. 🎥 Watch or listen to the full episode to hear what happened next on my journey to legal status and my thoughts on the broader immigrant experience. 📌 Subscribe for more videos on #Immigration and the American identity: bit.ly/subscribedefineamerican 💌 Join the Movement: www.defineamerican.com/subscribe 🖥️ Learn More: www.defineamerican.com 💬 Follow Define American: Instagram/Twitter/Threads: @defineamerican Jose Antonio Vargas: bsky.app/joseiswriting