My Life As An Undocumented Immigrant Analysis

“I grew more aware of anti-immigrant sentiments and stereotypes: they don't want to assimilate, they are a drain on society,” says immigration rights activist Jose Vargas in his personal essay “My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” [1080]. Immigration in the United States has been a wedge issue for American citizens and legislatures for decades. Jose Vargas, an illegal immigrant and prominent writer, producer, and activist speaks on his personal experience as an undocumented immigrant. He bravely admits the illegality of his presence in the United States and speaks out against discrimination as his life is a controversial subject in his own country. He speaks on this topic in a dignified manner in order to bring to light the hardships that

Vargas conveys a feeling of seclusion that he endures as an alien to the States through the use of figurative language. He mentions, “yet even though I think of myself as an American and consider America my country, my country doesn't think of me as one of its own” (1080). Because of Vargas’ immigration status, he feels misplaced in his own house, in his own community, and most of all in his own country. By describing the exclusion he feels due to how America treats immigrants like himself, he attempts to put into perspective the discrimination that occurs in the

He admits that “the more [he] achieved, the more scared and depressed [he] became. [He] was proud of [his] work, but there was always a cloud hanging over it, over [him]” (1084). Vargas utilizes this metaphor in order to express how his status overshadowed his accomplishments and prevented him from ever feeling like he achieved something in a fair and righteous way. He uses words like “scared” and “depressed” in order to communicate the feeling of dejection that comes with everything he achieves. Vargas understands that because he is living in the States illegally, his country does not give him the right to succeed and live a fulfilling life. Vargas overall recounts his life story with sentiment and imagery that create a sense of empathy that would have not been otherwise created without the use of powerful words and