What is the fate of J?se Antonio Vargas?

[Anonymous]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/magazine/my-life-as-an-undocumented-immigrant.html

A heartbreaking story in today's New York Times. Do you think he will be deported?

[Anonymous]

Undocumented = illegal. He will be deported or leave voluntarily. He can apply for a citizenship of other countries, not as great as US but good enough to keep him happy professionally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/magazine/my-life-as-an-undocumented-immigrant.html

A heartbreaking story in today's New York Times. Do you think he will be deported?

What is heartbreaking about this story? So he won a Pulitzer Prize but he is still here illegally. Probably nothing will happen because the laws we have re illegal immigrants are not enforced.

[Anonymous]

I'd rather have him here, contributing to our economy, even though his family broke the law to get him here. I don't see why America -- land of immigrants (unless you are Native American) -- can't find a way to accommodate this type of situation. I mean, there should be a penalty (hefty fine-paid over a lifetime type of thing? short jail sentence?), but we would be cutting off our noses to spite our face if we kick out people who clearly can and are adding to our economy and society.

This country was built by people who were driven to succeed and plenty of them broke *plenty* of laws in the process. My favorite story of this kind has to do with Hollywood - established in LA (in part) because moviemakers found that they could avoid paying copyright to the NY writers they were copying from/stealing from if they were far enough away. Ha! And, holy cow! Not to mention the shady, shady dealings of America's Founders.... Boston merchants in 1776 were a rough crowd. And why do you think they called them the "robber barons"?

I'm not saying we should just ignore our own laws. The rule of law has been very important to our economic strength. There should be a STEEP penalty for breaking it. But, we're fools if we think folks like Vargas aren't cut from exactly the same cloth as those who have made our country great, and I think we should find a way to let them in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd rather have him here, contributing to our economy, even though his family broke the law to get him here. I don't see why America -- land of immigrants (unless you are Native American) -- can't find a way to accommodate this type of situation. I mean, there should be a penalty (hefty fine-paid over a lifetime type of thing? short jail sentence?), but we would be cutting off our noses to spite our face if we kick out people who clearly can and are adding to our economy and society.

This country was built by people who were driven to succeed and plenty of them broke *plenty* of laws in the process. My favorite story of this kind has to do with Hollywood - established in LA (in part) because moviemakers found that they could avoid paying copyright to the NY writers they were copying from/stealing from if they were far enough away. Ha! And, holy cow! Not to mention the shady, shady dealings of America's Founders.... Boston merchants in 1776 were a rough crowd. And why do you think they called them the "robber barons"?

I'm not saying we should just ignore our own laws. The rule of law has been very important to our economic strength. There should be a STEEP penalty for breaking it. But, we're fools if we think folks like Vargas aren't cut from exactly the same cloth as those who have made our country great, and I think we should find a way to let them in.

Oh, please. Sending you a cyber bandaid for your bleeding heart!

[Anonymous]

He was a child when he came here, and he's culturally American now. There should be some path to citizenship for people like him.

[Anonymous]

Congress has the power to pass what are called private relief bills. It could grant him citizenship.

[Anonymous]

It seems to me that his mother could have relinquished custody and allowed his grandparents to adopt him. Then, since they were already naturalized citizens, they could have moved to get him citizenship as well. Also, how is it that he's been employed in the US if he's not eligible to work? Did he work as an employee of the Post at one point? I feel bad for him, sure, but I don't think he's more deserving of citizenship than most other people who are here illegally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He was a child when he came here, and he's culturally American now. There should be some path to citizenship for people like him.

This.

[Anonymous]

Immigration is what made this country great and we're idiots if we can't find a way to to keep bright, hardworking people contributing to the country and the economy.

[Anonymous]

he's a fantastic reporter and writer. i work in HIV and his writing has had an impact.

[Anonymous]

Jeff, please move this to the political discussion board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, please move this to the political discussion board.

How is this political?

[Anonymous]

Yes, Jeff, please move this thread to the political forum. Illegal folks are supposed to be people who tend our lawns and clean our homes not our boss at the office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He was a child when he came here, and he's culturally American now. There should be some path to citizenship for people like him.

There is .. it's called applying for an immigration visa in your home country. Then resident status (the green card) then taking the test. Just like everyone else that wants to come here leagally.