It was a hot summer morning, but nothing can be hotter than reading a courageous revelation of a Filipino immigrant in America. In his article, he exposed not his success; yet, a reality that now overshadows the prestigious Pulitzer Prize he won with the rest of his colleagues for their 2007 coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting. The understatement of the year is, he, Jose Antonio Vargas is an illegal alien living in the land of Uncle Sam for the past 17 years.
“I’m done running. I’m exhausted”. These are the words stressed by Vargas as he revealed the truth behind his so called-success.
In his personal account published in New York Times’ Sunday Magazine dated June 26, 2011, he told his story of survival with fear regarding his status. He believed then that the documents he used in migrating to the USA is legal and later on his grandfather admitted that it was a fake; the only way to bring him there was securing those documents.
His’ is a common story, what makes it exceptional and brings enviousness is: how come an illegal immigrant had opportunities to work for best agencies and later on won the much coveted Pulitzer Prize. This might have grave effect on people who supported his ‘hiding’ after all these years. His resume includes the San Francisco Chronicle where he worked as an editorial assistant and freelance writer. Others were saying that he should be deported as soon as possible; others reacted in favor of him while others remain unaffected.
Coming from a country where as early as 10, I know the difference between rich and poor, I understand his relatives’ ulterior motive in changing destiny. I admired him; the obstacles of being undocumented didn’t stop him in striving not only for the better but also on being the best. Maybe his status served as inspiration though time to time he gave excuses to cover the reality.
Discovering the monster in the closet is the hardest. One’s journey cannot be complete without trials. Yet the longer you fight, the hardest it is to reach your goal. Like in Italy where millions of immigrants live, the louder one ask for a legal permit, the farther the reality becomes. How many Vargas’ are here to support the cause of seeking legality? How many will take stand, and defend one’s ability to work and live decently sans permit of stay and be treated equally.
GREEN CARD, PERMIT OF STAY, CITIZENSHIP
No matter where you are, whether you are aspiring for Europe’s permit of stay or America’s green card, securing a legal status is always a long road ahead. Once you already have this, proving your worth is still a longer way.
Despite of the neck-to-neck competition, there are more Vargases around who already proven their worth yet said documents remain unattainable.
It maybe a piece of paper, but it bears mark which can help stabilize one’s life. Like the Vargas, millions roar, “It’s our right to secure legal status”. The second generation shout, “Automatic citizenship”. Can the government grant all their requests? For how long we have to wait to sense the real meaning of equality in the all aspects of the society?
Michelle Bucu-Torres
WeWrite, anno II, n. 8, settembre 2011
