Dear America

Notes of an Undocumented Citizen

By: Jose Antonio Vargas

Narrated by: Jose Antonio Vargas

Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, called “[T]he most famous undocumented immigrant in America”, tackles one of the defining issues of our time in this explosive and deeply personal call to arms.

“This is not a book about the politics of immigration. This book - at its core - is not about immigration at all. This book is about homelessness, not in a traditional sense but in the unsettled, unmoored psychological state that undocumented immigrants like myself find ourselves in. This book is about lying and being forced to lie to get by; about passing as an American and as a contributing citizen; about families, keeping them together, and having to make new ones when you can’t. This book is about constantly hiding from the government and, in the process, hiding from ourselves. This book is about what it means to not have a home.

"After 25 years of living illegally in a country that does not consider me one of its own, this book is the closest thing I have to freedom.” (Jose Antonio Vargas, from Dear America)

©2018 Undocumented LLC (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic Reviews

"Vargas's performance of his memoir is sincere, intelligent, and thoughtful.... Vargas exhibits passion and composure even as critics exhort him to 'get in line' to become a citizen - though no such path exists from his current status." (AudioFile)

Excellent

This is an eye-opening and ultimately heart-wrenching book, perfectly narrated by the author. Thank you for it.

Wow

I actually learned something. History. I didn't know the Philippines had been conquered by the Spaniards. if people were here all their lives , cannot speak the language of their birth country, or here longer than twenty years, they should be tested for citizenship.

Immigration issues

A great story on the daily challenges of people we meet every day, and the need to evaluate our priorities and values as a country.

Such an emotional ride!

This is the first Audible book I've listened to from beginning to end. Jose shares such an emotional, thoughtful and riveting story. I hope he writes a follow up.

If you’re thinking about it just do it

Such an amazing reading from the author. Everyone, and I mean everyone, should read this book.

Heartwrenching

This is set in a time period in which DACA did not exist and when the author was in limbo status. He talks about how he dealt with this.

My Opi: I had no idea who this person was until now in Dec. 2020 amid the covid crisis. I even forgot why or how I got this audible book. The story is so complex and emtionally exhausting, but I want to listen again. By listening a second time I hope to remember all those good questions he asked and try to come up with answers and analyze how I come to those answers. I also hope that in the future that immigration is no longer a political issue that renders children abandoned and families torn apart. I feel lucky that never happened to me, but I could relate to the quiet secret anger over the limbo status before DACA

pretty pretty good

so this book was nice I liked the story and it gave me a real perspective on an issue.

Heart wrenching and eye opening!

I loved this book so much! I feel that I have learned a lot from listening to this story.

My new favorite book

I am terrible at reading books for leisure. I started this book a long time ago, in print. I kept trying to go back to it, but I'm just really bad at making the time.

I finally decided to give Audiobooks a try and I am so glad I did. This book is officially my favorite book. The audio version is read by Jose Antonio Vargas himself, and I felt the pain in all of his words. The whole book is amazing, but the last few chapters had me crying many times as he put into words the pain that I struggle with so much. The pain of what I've lost, the pain of not belonging, the pain of uncertainty, the pain of being stuck, the pain of feeling ungrateful, and the pain of not having a home. Ni de aquí, ni de allá. My life story.

I highly recommend this book for anyone, regardless of your experience with or knowledge of our immigration system. He adds a historical policy framework throughout for a better understanding. Read this book, or listen to the audiobook, but absorb this. Somehow.

For educators, I would find a way to add this to your curriculum. It's so good. 💙

Highly recommended read

This is a must read. So many of us don't know how undocumented immigrates feel, what they and their families go through. For those of you who are immigrates this read might touch home. Very powerful book.