What do you think of Pulitzer Prize winner Jose Antonio Vargas' plight as a 'TNT' living in the US?

Rey Onate, Palayan City: May Pulitzer lang siya kaya inamin na ‘TNT’ siya. Remove the Pulitzer win and he will remain as is nagtatago sa batas, ordinary lang siya.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: It’s very inspiring, proving once again how resilient and intelligent a Filipino is in times of greatest adversity. Jose, mabuhay ka!

Tough cookie

Dr. Manolo Cristi, Metro Manila: The stress that Vargas underwent as an undocumented immigrant must have been unbearable. He is a tough nut to crack.

Dr Francis Regalado, Manila: His journey to pursue his American dream is a tough act to follow. These people are not afraid of taking chances. With the personal and legal issues he has to deal with, let’s see if he can push his luck and pull it off.

US authorities will go after him now

Felix Ramento, USA: His talent, unfortunately, became incidental when he chose to reveal his status as an illegal alien. US authorities will have to look into the anomaly and act accordingly, regardless of his citation.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: What is spectacular is his winning the Pulitzer Prize award, but living as a ‘TNT’ in the US has made many Jose Antonio Vargas copycats. They could only come out in the open when their papers are already in order, otherwise, they’ll be sent home without ceremony.

Lucas Banzon Madamba, Laguna: The fact that he was a ‘TNT’ living in the US might jeopardize his stay. Since US immigration authorities have found out about it, he might be deported for breaking immigration laws.

Lucky guy

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: He’s one lucky guy. He evaded US authorities all these years and even won the much-coveted Pulitzer Prize. He may serve as an inspiration to other undocumented aliens in the US.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Mr. Jose Antonio Vargas must have an extraordinary brain, which makes him deserving of his Pulitzer Prize win. Living as a ‘TNT’ in the US means he outwitted all the US immigration laws, thus, I am sure there was no hardship and difficulty in his plight.

I don’t find it amusing

Elmo Cruz, Manila: I wonder what he was up to in exposing himself as an illegal alien. Did he want to gain public or INS sympathy? That will not work, as that is not an American trait, but that of unschooled Filipinos. He could have asked his Lolo and Lola to petition him or marry an American girl.

Rose Leobrera, Manila:  I don’t find his act amusing. In fact, he risks the lives of millions of illegal migrants in the US. What does he expect now? That the Americans would pity him and give him a green card? No, that is not what it is like in the US. Now he has put the silent minority of illegal Filipinos there at risk. Baka pag-initan pa ang mga Pinoy. If his conscience is bothering him, then he should have left. What’s the reason for his drama? However, I am hoping against hope that the Dream Act of Obama will become a reality for our kababayans soon.

Lorenzo A. Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: Unlike other ‘TNTs’, he has the temerity to reveal his illegal alien status. He might be thinking that just because he is a Pulitzer Prize winner, the rules on US immigration do not apply. Utak Pinoy pa rin siya.

At least he’s honest

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: He was honest enough to admit that he is an illegal immigrant living in the US.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: He is, after all, man enough to surface and face any possible consequence from his long-running fraud just to attain an elusive dream.

Proud of his own race

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: It may mean his deportation. But in telling the truth, he shows pride in that if chances are prowling around, Filipinos can excel in all fields. Mr. Vargas is one of the few examples of Filipinos who are proud of their own race. Congratulations. Mabuhay ka.

Disrespecting the Pulitzer

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Ayon sa mga American immigration lawyers, basta nakapasok sa bansa, sila na ang bahala, upang matupad ang pangarap na buhay-America. Eighteen years na siya sa America at nakatapos pa ng colegio. Malamang ma-deport pa siya kaysa kaawaan ng INS, pagka’t sa America, ang batas ay pinaiiral na walang sinisino. Para tuloy nainsulto ang Pulitzer Prize sa kawalan niya ng matalinong pagpapasiya.

Filipino determination

Bong Nebrija, Quezon City: Inspiring! To be a ‘TNT’ in the US is anything but easy, and there are only a few real-life successes like his. I do not judge him for being an illegal alien because, in most cases of illegal immigration, there is a noble reason behind them, and most often, it is living a life of sacrifices. The Pulitzer Prize for me is the crowning glory for the dream he never let go of despite his immigration status. His is a typical story of determination.

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: His ambition to fulfill his American dream, its ups and downs, makes us realize that nothing is impossible when you are determined to achieve something in this world.

It’s embarrassing

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: It’s embarrassing. He better fix his status or else.

Ready for any eventuality

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: Jose Antonio’s popularity might go to waste. He violated the American law and he should be ready for any eventuality. As a Filipino, I’m proud of him and perhaps it’s better that he head back home and wait for his green card to be approved.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: The fault cannot be entirely blamed on him. It’s the circumstances not of his own making, but he has to bear the consequences of his being a ‘TNT’.

He should be held accountable

Danilo Rogayan Jr., Zambales: In spite of the accolade he has received from the Pulitzer, Jose Antonio Vargas should be held accountable for living illegally in the United States, unless the US government decides to grant him amnesty for his misdoing. This case should not be tolerated by the US immigration, because it might result in more ‘TNTs’ or undocumented aliens living in the foreign land.

Model for a ‘TNT’ life

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Jose Antonio Vargas’ ‘TNT-ness’ in the US should not be a plight. He went there as an illegal alien in his early age, and Uncle Sam’s INS was not able to detect his illegal status. He is a success in the US, accorded the Pulitzer prize. He should be lauded for his smartness. A lot of our kababayans, in their desire to uplift their lives and hopeless about the corruption in our nation, opt to live a ‘TNT’ life in the US, where dreams of success are highly possible to become realities, like that of Jose Antonio Vargas’.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: He can be a good model for Filipino ‘TNTs’ in the US. It shows the inherent inscrutability of Filipinos abroad.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: It’s an ordeal shared not only by thousands of Filipinos, but also by millions of other nationalities wanting to achieve the widely-sought American dream. Of course, he’s very fortunate that he has managed to survive and reap such international acclaim, which may enable him to legitimize his residence status in the US.

An insult to other immigrants

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: After reading “My life as an undocumented immigrant”, I could not understand why Jose Antonio Vargas revealed to the media that he is an illegal alien. Does he think that his Pulitzer award can earn him his green card? An immigration lawyer could work for his green card by citing his outstanding achievements as a supplementary support for his petition. The Americans are usually against illegal aliens, as they are social charges and competitors for employment. I don’t find him a Filipino worthy of emulation, but a character without concern for other undocumented American dreamers from Third World countries.

Juanito Fuerte, Manila: His accomplishments are laudable, perhaps even remarkable enough to sway our emotions into believing that Jose Antonio Vargas should be an exception to the rule. But, the fact remains that Vargas’ entry into the US, which he did through the backdoor, is a violation of America’s immigration laws. Besides, there are hundreds of other illegal immigrants in the US with similarly outstanding records of accomplishment. To bend the law for one would mean bending the law also for the others. I doubt if the US would do anything of that sort.

He deserves amnesty

J. R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City:  Well, in the US, they follow the law, whether one is a Pulitzer winner or whatever, but I feel he should be given amnesty, since he is a well-deserving citizen. I know of many ‘TNTs’ in the States who do not deserve to live there on account of their bad record.

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: It only means that Filipinos are as talented as anybody else, given the right training, the quality equipment, and the suitable job. But what happens to Jose Antonio Vargas is somehow tragic, because winning the Pulitzer Prize exposed him to be an illegal immigrant. Can he apply for amnesty and get both the citizenship and the prestigious prize?

Dream Act

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: I commiserate with Jose Antonio Vargas, whose conscience has long been bothered by his status, leading him to divulge through media his being an illegal immigrant in the US, which may lead to his deportation. At the same time, I congratulate him for his Pulitzer Prize, which makes us Filipinos proud. His plight as a ‘TNT’ is a classic story of those many undocumented immigrants seeking a good life in the US. His story is shared not only by Filipinos dubbed as ‘TNTs’ by their own countrymen, but also by the 11 million illegal immigrants in the US from different parts of the world. I hope that his story will help accelerate the passing of the Dream Act now pending in the US Congress, so that all deserving undocumented aliens, under certain conditions, will be absorbed into the mainstream of US society.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Jose Vargas’ courage is worth emulating by every Filipino. Let’s wish, hope, and support the call for US Congress to pass the Dream Act soon, for the benefit of Vargas and other eligible ‘TNTs’ or ‘tago nang tago’, before they get deported.

Do it the right way

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: I suggest he do what my late buddy Danny “Surot” Gonzales did. He went to Mexico, got his papers there, traveled to LA, sought aid from a rich pal there, proceeded to Winnipeg, where his relatives were, and became a Canadian citizen. He thumbs-up his nose when he meets US immigration officials. Hah!

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: His admission as a ‘TNT’ is indeed admirable, but the Pulitzer Prize cannot be used as a pass to a legal entry. He’s still young. He can do it the right way.

Chin up

Antonio Bello, Manila: I salute my tocayo’s decision to come out from a life that can be likened to that of a fugitive, correctly called as being in a situation of perpetual hiding, or in Tagalog, “Tago nang Tago”, or simply ‘TNT’. While some people applauded his decision, there are others, just like his own mother, who think it was a bad decision, as it may cause his deportation from the US. As for me, I go with his decision. He has gained a good name for himself, being in a group of Pulitzer winners and being so, he has enough credential that potential employers in many places will not miss to notice. I am certain that in the US alone, there are possible employers who at this time have taken notice of his talent as a writer. Tocayo, be not afraid. Chin up, man!

Cuts both ways

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Jose Vargas is one of the 11 million illegal aliens who are in the US searching for the American dream. Being a Pulitzer Prize winner can work both ways for his status. The US government can legalize his status for it or deport him to show other illegals that the government means business.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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