Journalist and advocate Jose Antonio Vargas was born in the Philippines and raised in the United States, he admits, as an undocumented immigrant. He has since had a stellar career in journalism, including a Pulitzer Prize for reporting for the Washington Post, and as an author of the Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen.
“I am an America,” he says. “I just don’t have the right papers.”
Vargas comes to Sonoma for a free community event on Friday, May 3 at La Luz Center. The event offers an opportunity for La Luz clients and community members to Vargas, known as perhaps the famous undocumented immigrant in America.
The evening reception starts at 6 p.m. with appetizers, beverages and a performance preview from Transcendence Origins—a group of local 12-18 year-olds participating in a Transcendence-La Luz workshop creating original performance works that center on social justice.
At 7:30, Vargas will take the Booker Hall stage to share what it means to not be at home in America. The first 50 people who register for the event will receive a free copy of his Vargas’ book. La Luz Center, Booker Hall, 17560 Greger Street, Sonoma. Laluzcenter.org.