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Jose Vargas, a journalist who is in the country illegally weighs in on the SCOTUS Arizona law ruling
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And thanks.
For staying with us some Laura -- and for Bill O'Reilly and and a personal story segment tonight.
A man with a personal stake in the Supreme Court ruling over illegal immigration.
Jose Vargas has been in this country illegally for nearly two decades he joins us now.
From New York office say it's great to see you I read your piece and time magazine thank you -- where you.
Quote came out.
Time as an illegal Democrat and this is after.
Many years -- working at living in the United States seated well in school.
Obviously.
You went to work at the Washington Post -- here at.
And yes -- for five years and you are asked at the Washington Post in a form.
Whether -- -- an American citizen a US citizen and what did you.
-- that form.
He IA actually check the citizen box.
And I remember trying to justify to myself.
You know is this okay you know my first phone call actually was my high school principal pat highland.
This kind of the good samaritan -- my life -- part of my underground railroad and I asked her.
You know is it okay that I'm doing this might taking somebody else's job.
And my principal -- basically said to me don't be crazy like you earned this.
That's how I was kind of able to kind of plow through.
And and people should know that you came to this country from the Philippines.
Via your grandfather yes Yahoo! who himself from according to I.
The report.
I think I guess he had us someone sold him a Social Security now our so that so that I fraudulent and I.
Apparently so I think what I got you when I was twelve I didn't know that I thought everything was fine.
I found out that I was undocumented like a lot of other people like me we find out when we apply for a job or I found out when I -- Try to get a driver's permit and you know my grandfather is was a naturalized American citizen so I just thought everything was fine.
I don't know what I found out this -- part of my world fell apart and again if it wasn't for a like teachers.
You know my teachers -- not be high school.
And it's interesting to me actually -- -- -- -- it was great to listen to you -- -- -- -- -- talk about empathy and the importance of that -- I I completely believe that.
In in this whole conversation about an illegal immigration.
You know like the teachers the -- leaders are coworkers or friends or neighbors -- -- -- -- -- in the conversation.
Right the moral the moral argument I get that that's that's been made has been made time and again -- these kids you didn't choose to come here you -- brought here I guess I'm.
The Supreme Court ruling upheld the stop and check provision -- -- about Arizona statute struck down three other provisions.
Do you think that this was a victory for illegal immigrants across the United States or something else.
You know I had I mean I completely understand you know the the fear and frustration.
Especially that Latinos how on this you know for racial profiling but to -- I mean I remember reading.
You know the ruling today by senator I mean by Justice Kennedy who said that quote.
As a general rule.
It is not a -- the -- removable aliens to remain in the United States.
How can I not be hope for mean from the outline it seems to me that now the -- -- that I'm not an illegal I'm not.
-- finally you know -- -- you and operating Justice Kennedy today and I heard President Obama twelve days ago.
I'm not particularly worried I'm -- we're at it than the United States but -- let's let's play devil's advocate here than -- because there are a lot of people.
And let's say Nigeria.
In Pakistan other countries who have been laboring for years and years to come here.
And they've -- a filing forms -- in spending a lot of money.
They don't have fraudulent Social Security numbers numbers they don't lie on their forms well like you did you.
I think they feel today think they feel good they're still back in and Nigeria Pakistan as it should everybody be allowed to come -- -- just the people who are here illegally and -- and -- I am so glad yes -- question because what we really need.
It's a process I am not looking to bomb.
The person from Nigeria or have a -- not an outlet -- some could argue you how yes it up but again if we create a process so that the twelve million.
Undocumented Americans could come forward and say here here we are.
Now give us a process and again if you want me to get in the back of the line.
To not bump anybody off I'd be more than happy to do that so you do that -- -- back and I seem to apply while I mean again I've been in this country since I was gladly pay taxes here so this is my home.
I'm before I'm gonna go back to the Philippines and -- make sure that I can go back to my home.
You're not -- right.
Section 37 day of the Philippines immigration law are you -- -- with back.
No I'm not -- -- you -- you -- room I am gonna tell you about it because I've studied it actually today and -- -- -- -- -- a great logging on.
Actually it's pretty specific on on if you're in the country illegally in the Philippines you'll be processed for deportation.
You will be arrested by the kind by the commissioner of image -- immigration for a warrant.
And it's it basically lays out if you've made false or misleading statements.
In the process of becoming it'll an immigrant in the United States or being in the being in the Philippines excuse me.
You are removable as an alien so it seems like.
A country of your birth would not be so hospitable to your staying there which is a surprise -- I mean which is why am glad to call America my home this is where I grew up in this is my home.
I look forward to coming back to the Philippines where I haven't seen my mom almost nineteen years your thoughts -- -- we appreciate your joining us Jose Jose Torres.
