Imagine yourself in the role of an Immigration officer at the Department of Homeland Security interviewing Jose Antonio Vargas, because Vargas has applied for citizenship.

Imagine yourself in the role of an Immigration officer at the Department of Homeland Security interviewing Jose Antonio Vargas, because Vargas has applied for citizenship. As Vargas tells in his personal narrative, he has lied about his status for about 15 years and does not have any documents to provide to the U.S. government. He only has his “story.” Would you as the officer in whose hands Vargas’ citizenship fate hangs, be persuaded by his story to grant him a citizenship, or would you deny him? For either answer you have to explain your reason. Refer to specific details from the article to support your choice. (25)

2 In his autobiographical narrative, Vargas references slavery in indirect ways and compares the fate of the undocumented immigrant to that of a fugitive slave, running away from authority. How does this reference shape or influence your understanding of the “life” that Vargas is asking us readers to have empathy for? (25)

3 How does Felipe Herrera’s poem “Every Day We Get More Illegal” shape and influence your understanding of the condition of the undocumented in America? Whom does Herrera blame for this condition? What does the title of the poem mean? Please use lines from the poem to support your response. (25)

4 What are the similarities and differences between the lives of the undocumented according to Vargas and Herrera? (25)