Summary

To celebrate his thirtieth birthday, Jose hosts a party to introduce his biological Filipino family to his adopted family of mentors and friends. It is also an "I may get deported" party where he shares his "decision to come out as undocumented" (117). On June 22, 2011, the New York Times Magazine published Jose's coming-out story about his life as an undocumented immigrant. At the same time, he and some friends form the organization Define American, an immigrant rights group that uses storytelling to "change the culture in which immigrants are seen" (121). Against the advice of lawyers, Jose's article reveals all the details of his undocumented life, including the illegal actions he took in order to pass as an American citizen and build a life for himself.

Vargas then writes about some of the technicalities of undocumented immigration in America. He focuses on educating readers...