A journalist for over a decade writing for some of the most prestigious news organizations in the country, Jose Antonio Vargas' personal journey contends with some of the most fascinating stories he's covered, living a double life since he was 16 years old.  Born and reared in the Philippines, his mother, wanting to give her son a better life, sent him to live with his grandparents in California.  Vargas loved his new homeland and immersed himself in American culture, spoke the language perfectly, studied hard in school and loved writing for the school paper. However, at 16 years old he discovered his green card was a fake. Vargas chose to continue hiding his true identity to avoid deportation and to be able to pursue his dream of a career in journalism.  Despite his success, the dark shadow of his true identity continued to haunt him, as he frequently lied to friends and colleagues, avoided close relationships so no one would ask too many questions, and didn’t travel abroad due to his illegal passport.  Finally in 2011 he exposed his story in his groundbreaking essay, "My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant," for the New York Times Magazine, stunning the media and political circles and attracting world-wide coverage.  Today Vargas runs Define American, a non-profit organization that seeks to elevate the conversation around immigration. 

NOTE:  Due to circumstances beyond the College’s control, Carleton today cancelled its weekly convocation. Scheduled to appear was Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Jose Antonio Vargas, who was brought to campus by Carleton’s Office of Intercultural and International Life to present the College’s annual Latino Heritage Month Convocation.  Vargas unexpectedly had to cancel his appearance due to a personal emergency.