Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.
At age 16, journalist and filmmaker Jose Antonio Vargas found out he was in the United States illegally. Since then, he’s been thinking deeply about immigration and what it means to be a US citizen — whether it’s by birth, law or otherwise. How did you get here? Who paid?
The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You’re welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know. For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a Media Request here:
Arandor Thinnorion
August 24, 2020 at 10:01 pm
This is not making a good case about immigration issues. I know people who took the time and made the sacrifices to do things “the right way” (i.e. followed current U.S. law). U.S. citizenship is not a human right. People all over the world are not born with the right to become U.S. citizens. U.S. immigration law is not there to prevent someone from exercising their right to U.S. citizenship.
If you want to become a U.S. citizenship, then follow the steps necessary to do it legally. If people believe immigration law is unjust, then work to change it. But coming here illegally then complaining about immigration law is not going to win allies.
spc1118
August 24, 2020 at 10:06 pm
3 reasons for the civil war:
1. Slavery
2. States rights (to maintain slavery)
3. Economic warfare (centered around slavery in the south vs industrialization of the north, so slavery)
Help me reach 1k Subscribers challenge
August 24, 2020 at 10:11 pm
2019: stay away from negative people
2020: stay away from positive person..
AircraftOfSomeType
August 24, 2020 at 10:13 pm
The U.S. will read on its tombstone “at least we weren’t racist”. The liberal experiment was doomed the second the corporate class realized foreigners in shithole countries could turn a screw for less than an American would accept as pay. An interesting contradiction is the fact that the left/progressives are allegedly the most anti-capitalist/anti-corporate class political group in the country yet they support infinite immigration which is the number one priority of the billionaires.
Curious one
August 24, 2020 at 10:24 pm
Hideous, racist, anti-American rant. Why would we want him here? Why does TED give him this platform?
**
August 24, 2020 at 10:34 pm
Deflection and excuses.
PD
August 24, 2020 at 11:00 pm
Why is he lecturing us? This is wrong. Just get your citizenship the right way, like your grandfather. It’s that easy. My family did it the right way and so can you. Stop with the ridiculous excuses and hypocritical justifications.
Gianni Marco
August 24, 2020 at 11:13 pm
Why should America accept illegal aliens when other countries won’t? How about some equality?
Aaron N
August 24, 2020 at 11:29 pm
Other countries do. America has one of the highest bars for immigration and refugees processes in the world. Read a book.
Homunkulus
August 24, 2020 at 11:19 pm
I am an American living in Austria with Austrian Citizenship. You guys are just nuts.
Bad Xerge
August 24, 2020 at 11:23 pm
Native americans are also immigrants, they just got here 10,000 years earlier.
Lee Rogers
August 24, 2020 at 11:25 pm
Illegal?
integelent
August 24, 2020 at 11:33 pm
Coming to the USA illegally is an insult to the millions of people every year who are waiting in line to come here legally.
Our country can only handle so many new people at a time.
In simple terms, every person who sneaks in, delays a person who’s been in line often for years waiting for a chance to get in.
Everybody hates when people cut in line.
SkyroofNova72
August 24, 2020 at 11:34 pm
America is “the melting pot” of the world, diversified and blended by people from every corner of the globe chasing the dream of living your own life your own way. The discussion isn’t about immigrating to America and who says it shouldn’t happen, it’s about doing it ILLEGALLY and taking advantage of the system… healthcare, food assistance, disability, college assistance, etc. It’s the citizens here legally that pay for everything those who come illegally take. The government doesn’t have their own money. I know my heritage, where my ancestors came from, and the sacrifices made by them to build this country and protect its freedoms. I love this country and the privileges it has for me as an American, I want everyone to experience it, but don’t steal from me to get it.
What’s the solution to simplifying our borders? I’m interested in starting dialogue to how things should be done fairly for all, and respectfully.
Сесилия Glezinsky
August 24, 2020 at 11:34 pm
Coming to America illegally is a crime!!!! You should be ashamed of yourself! There’s nothing to be proud of coming to any country illegally. And you’re even posing as an American! Shame on you!
steve hicks
August 24, 2020 at 11:40 pm
An “American w/out papers” is what we call an oxymoron. If ya aint got the proper papers your not a citizen of the United States of America. Sorry. Well, not really sorry because you should do it the right way. My wife did it the right way. If you don’t do it the right way you’re sh*tting on other law abiding immigrants.
Jade Choi - Million Dollar Challenge
August 24, 2020 at 11:51 pm
How many of you are not US citizenships?🙋♀️
Gus Armstrong
August 25, 2020 at 12:03 am
This Arrogant POS need to go away. He’s been around for a while and has zero respect for our laws.
Pug Nacious
August 25, 2020 at 12:04 am
Married to a Hispana … her father received citizenship the right way. Took many years and lots of money. He knew more about American history than most. His proudest day was his certification as a citizen. Sorry… illegal is illegal. Get in line and respect the rule of law. My wife has many family members who are doing it the right way. Parents telling you its ok,.is not ok. For whatever reason. When you understand the process as an adult, get it done. Period.
Himecha's Jam
August 25, 2020 at 1:06 am
Except the process is ridiculously arbitrary, expensive and full of corruption; read the 2016 federal report on bribery and bias in the the US immigration system. 12%~ of all applicants are asked to provide a bribe at some point with about 20%~ of all rejections being estimated as the result of a refusal or failure to pay. There’s a systematic suppression of certain groups with a ‘black’ Colombian being something like 5x as likely to get rejected than his white Colombian counterpart even if all the other factors are the same.
Jagoda
August 25, 2020 at 12:07 am
Polish lannguage plis?
S G
August 25, 2020 at 12:25 am
The fact that your publicly announcing this and NOT being deported says a lot about laws in our country. You should be deported sir that is the law.
Honest Person
August 25, 2020 at 12:29 am
More of the open borders narrative to destabilise the nation state. Keep going TED.
Sasha Townsend - Tulsa
August 25, 2020 at 12:41 am
My maternal grandparents came here from the Philippines legally in the 70s when my mom was a child. I’m not sure when my dad’s side of the family came to this country, but I know my grandfather’s life story. When I think about where I came from, I think about my grandparents and their life stories; I think about the people, who risked so much and gave so much of themselves to help their brothers and sisters to come here legally in the 1970s. I think of the great aunts and uncles, and their smiling faces, and what a huge impact that had on my life. I think about family, and the fact that they didn’t want to leave anyone who wanted to come to the US behind.
Immigration is an emotionally charged issue that needs to be discussed by open and compassionate people who disagree. Thank you for bringing up an important issue.
TheGuire
August 25, 2020 at 1:09 am
It’s funny how all these comments support the Republican point of view. Dems are going to get a wake up call in November when they see the country doesn’t agree with the narrative.
Tioga Fretworks
August 25, 2020 at 1:16 am
I do have empathy, but that doesn’t change the fact that he jumped the line.
Tammy
August 25, 2020 at 1:20 am
When u have followed America’s laws, then post all ur videos on immigration.
EVERYONE WANTS TO RATIONALIZE WHY IT’S OK TO NOT FOLLOW THE LAWS.
Caterfree10
August 25, 2020 at 4:06 pm
I will never forgive white supremacy for taking my heritage from me. I’m white, but I know nothing about where my ancestors come from or what traditions they had. We just got homogenized over the decades/centuries (I don’t even know that bc no one saved that info). I have vague “oh we have ancestors from Germany/Holland/whatever,” but nothing to connect me there. The only old family stories I got were Bible stories. And that’s it. I feel robbed. I wish I knew my family’s immigration history.
Багетик
August 25, 2020 at 4:27 pm
Don’t close TED Russia
#saveTEDRussia
PD
August 25, 2020 at 4:30 pm
Is it possible to give this video two thumbs down? Until processes formally change, adhere to the law.
VitalSigns Podcast
August 25, 2020 at 4:33 pm
Thanks for sharing I also have a mother and father who immigrated here to the US to create a better life for me and my siblings.
GeeYOL
August 25, 2020 at 4:47 pm
#saveTEDRussia – Dont close TEDRussia –
ThisisKyle
August 25, 2020 at 5:34 pm
He’s trying to compare the settlers to illegal immigrants but seems to either forget or purposely forgets that there wasn’t a country here before the settlers came to the continent. The speaker either thought bringing this up was an actually argument with merit or he’s incredibly disingenuous
Nat T
August 25, 2020 at 6:05 pm
This is really insulting to those who have actually waited and gone through the process to become a US citizen.
Nothing To See
August 25, 2020 at 6:18 pm
Decided to adopt overseas. Took 2 years of paperwork, home studies, etc, etc. Went overseas twice. Spent months and $1000’s in that country jumping through hoops. Had to go through the embassy to get my kid’s citizenship. Passed lines of 1000’s of people waiting to get in legally. Finally got it all done and brought our kids home. Now, 18 years later, my son decides to join the military. Once again, he has to jump through a lot of hoops to prove he is American. We did it legally. Why are you special?
Retrosky
August 25, 2020 at 6:24 pm
Why are all comments Russian?
Мисс Позитив
August 25, 2020 at 6:41 pm
Because they deprive us educational content
Retrosky
August 26, 2020 at 12:39 am
@Мисс Позитив that’s terrible, I’m sorry. How can I support you guys?
Artem Makaryan
August 25, 2020 at 6:37 pm
#savetedrussia
Мисс Позитив
August 25, 2020 at 6:48 pm
Don’t banned TED for Russians. Why russians must be deprived? It’s educational content for everyone!
Гаря Хамиров
August 25, 2020 at 7:03 pm
Don’t close TED Russia please!
#savetedrussia
Count DaMoney
August 25, 2020 at 7:06 pm
What an absolute load of crap.
Go and rob a bank rationalising that “money” is just an “idea”.
So when you admit you are in the USA illegally no effort should be spared to police that illegality.
Rationalise it any way you want, you are a thief, nothing more.
Arhan Solo
August 25, 2020 at 7:09 pm
Better to be illegal in the US than legal in the Philippines..?
Roger Banks
August 25, 2020 at 7:31 pm
Go back home and come here legally
больно не будет
August 25, 2020 at 7:47 pm
How can you be so greedy?! #saveTEDRussia
That one servant of Satania
August 25, 2020 at 8:03 pm
I don’t wanna know where he comes from, just where he lives… I have a certain authority to talk to
Jessica Da Silva
August 25, 2020 at 8:07 pm
Great questions! Those who dont accept these questions clearly dont understand their own citizenship
Михаил Заика
August 25, 2020 at 8:43 pm
Save russian ted please
Kevin Steele
August 25, 2020 at 9:07 pm
Probably just shoulda said, Hey I’m illegal, not a citizen, but grew up here, and my family brought me here….can I stay?!
omit five
August 26, 2020 at 10:35 pm
@Jon Bob you’re gonna need to be more specific in your question buddy
Jon Bob
August 26, 2020 at 11:19 pm
@omit five That’s what I’m asking you.
Kevin Steele
August 27, 2020 at 6:15 am
omit five yeah, you probably needed to be more specific in your original statement buddy.
Kevin Steele
August 27, 2020 at 6:16 am
Or kept your race baiting mouth shut.
Jon Bob
August 27, 2020 at 1:07 pm
@Kevin Steele Can you explain?
горлица
August 25, 2020 at 10:58 pm
Не закрывайте TED На русском языке Dont close TEDRussia @
Anna - Let's Get Acquainted
August 26, 2020 at 12:58 am
1:10 hot
Jon Bob
August 26, 2020 at 1:39 am
You’re not a citizen if you don’t have papers.
Ben Rogers
August 26, 2020 at 3:40 pm
Not true. You are a us citizen if you were born in America or were naturalized. You don’t need any papers to be a US citizen
Jon Bob
August 26, 2020 at 3:44 pm
@Ben Rogers When you’re born you’re given a birth certificate that is one form of identification.
Lisa Ewing
August 26, 2020 at 7:53 am
Dude you had me until you called yourself “of color” you’re white. a white Filipino. You’re making money, you are an exception, are you working on becoming legal. Are you paying taxes. Responsibility to each other is correct, caring about your neighbor right? You don’t want to hurt the legal person next to you by drawing from the same well they filled and you did not right? Why can you not BECOME legal. I feel for you, but you’re becoming self entitled. Peace
Eli Bass, accordion one-man-band.
August 27, 2020 at 1:24 am
He cannot become legal because the United States does not let him become legal.
Idaho Potato
August 26, 2020 at 11:02 am
Try going to any other country illegally and see how that works for you.
So you’re presenting opinions as irrelevant facts.
Rico Riddle
August 26, 2020 at 12:19 pm
I need Canadian version
Bob Herk
August 26, 2020 at 1:25 pm
I’m from from an Indentured Servant from Europe. I’m glad your grandfather worked hard and got you here. Thank you for educating people.
SCREWSTON TEXAS
August 26, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Mexicans where made illigal on their own land
ÉricaCVL
August 26, 2020 at 1:34 pm
Wonderful.🙂
Дмитрий Носиков
August 26, 2020 at 2:28 pm
#saveTEDRussia Don’t close TEDRussia!
MalkowaAlena
August 26, 2020 at 2:51 pm
#savetedrussia don’t close ted Russia channel
Динар Зикирьянов
August 26, 2020 at 2:56 pm
#savetedrussia
Dima Garbar
August 26, 2020 at 3:06 pm
dont close ted russia!!!!
AnutaPontera Пономарьова
August 26, 2020 at 3:26 pm
#SaveTEDRussia , please!
Yuri Ovchinnikov
August 26, 2020 at 3:43 pm
#savetedrussia why TED ignoring 900k russian followers on the “TED on russian” channel? why TED thinking we no need TED on russian?
Jon Bob
August 26, 2020 at 6:36 pm
They do not need you.
Ольга Бузова
August 26, 2020 at 4:05 pm
#SaveTEDRussia
cj cj
August 26, 2020 at 4:48 pm
#saveTEDRussia
Кристина Мальцева
August 26, 2020 at 5:41 pm
#savetedrussia
Павел Зорин
August 26, 2020 at 5:47 pm
#saveTEDRussia
Адвокат Аркадия Анатольевича
August 26, 2020 at 5:55 pm
#saveTEDrussia
ksenia y
August 26, 2020 at 6:16 pm
#saveTEDrussia
Nachiket Vartak
August 26, 2020 at 7:30 pm
So your solution to not fitting the legal definition of citizen is to change the definition? That definition is not yours to change it is for the legislation of that Boston to change.
Леонид Токарев
August 26, 2020 at 8:09 pm
#SaveTEDRUSSIA
Илья
August 26, 2020 at 10:07 pm
В чем ваша задача? если вы ограничиваете знания?
Фан Fan
August 26, 2020 at 10:13 pm
DON’T CLOSE TED RUSSIA
David A
August 26, 2020 at 11:05 pm
Actually we came the “RIGHT WAY” you ungrateful jerk. Not Paying for any illegal papers etc. The excuses and the twist you put on this is Disgusting. And the “TEST” and exactly….. “Go home” if this citizenship is not good enough for you. YOU ENGAGE as an ILLEGAL. You make me sick with liberal crap. The black man,the white man(European), AND the brown man ALL built this country and the native Americans were taken advantage of. Now they take advantage of us…hmm!!? JUST LIKE YOU!!
Иван Рузанов
August 26, 2020 at 11:28 pm
Hey cmn! #savetedrussia
Victoria K
August 27, 2020 at 1:10 am
You are a criminal.
Kirk Turner
August 27, 2020 at 1:16 am
Sorry, you’re not an American without papers, you sir, are a Filipino.
Eli Bass, accordion one-man-band.
August 27, 2020 at 1:25 am
Then hand him papers and he will be an American.
Kirk Turner
August 27, 2020 at 11:04 am
@Eli Bass, accordion one-man-band. It takes a bit more than that. It’s not my fault or yours that his family brought him here illegally. There should be a way for him to become a citizen but as of now he is a Filipino.
Tony C
August 27, 2020 at 5:17 am
So an influx of poor, uneducated illegals who will burden the already broken social systems of America is financially sound?
Will you give them the vote too? Foreign influencing our elections?
What will you say to the Rest of the world’s poor? Come live next door to me? Live in our shithole poor communities and help us divide America?
Вика Хардина
August 27, 2020 at 6:24 am
Верните мне TED на русском!!! #saveTEDrussia
elementushka
August 27, 2020 at 6:27 am
#SaveTEDRussia
Zlo ba
August 27, 2020 at 6:39 am
#saveTEDRussia
OfficialMan
August 27, 2020 at 6:42 am
#SaveTEDRussia
#SaveTEDНаРусскомЯзыке
Muhammad Sharipov
August 27, 2020 at 7:32 am
Мы будем заливать вас дизлайками за то что вы так поступали с нашим каналом
Валерий Богданов
August 27, 2020 at 9:28 am
#SaveTEDRussia “ideas worth spreading”. Do you still agree with it?!
Tim Steel
August 27, 2020 at 9:40 am
дизлайк и России. #saveTEDRussia !!!
Ave Maria
August 27, 2020 at 9:59 am
SAVE TED RUSSIA
Михаил Яшин
August 27, 2020 at 11:26 am
Please don’t close “TED на русском” channel! We really need it!!!
aiko tanaka
August 27, 2020 at 12:03 pm
#saveTEDRussia
Голожопик Обыкновенный
August 27, 2020 at 2:06 pm
@ Доступная информация спасет мир, помогите Русским получить правдивый источник знаний и мы вас приятно удивим !Русский TED тоже что то значит !
Rick Smickler
August 27, 2020 at 8:41 pm
This is 100% wrong
Luca Zanne
August 28, 2020 at 6:57 am
Please TED stop telling us that we must be leftist
mike tomlin
August 28, 2020 at 7:21 am
USA 322 million illegals!!
Rick Smickler
August 28, 2020 at 2:46 pm
According to this guy, we should just let isis walk right into america
Rick Smickler
August 28, 2020 at 2:48 pm
This man and his grandfather are criminals and should be deported asap
Bryce Wilson
August 28, 2020 at 9:08 pm
I’m surprised how generally critical this comment section is of this video. I feel like a lot of people are just saying “you’re illegal, that’s bad, end of discussion”. I understand that laws are written for the protection of our society, but things are more complex than legal good, illegal bad.
Why are people saying this person shouldn’t be here? He had no choice in coming, he’s grown up in our culture, and he is contributing to society. Just because he’s here illegally doesn’t automatically mean he doesn’t belong here. The only reason to try to deport him (as far as anyone in this comment section is aware) is because of the rules. There’s something to be said for enforcing the rules, but there’s also something to be said for questioning the validity of the rules.
Something that has stuck in my head that I think I heard Trevor Noah say is that America is very unique when it comes to national identity. You can move to France when you’re a teenager and live there the rest of your life, but people won’t call you French. You can go to Japan but you won’t be Japanese. But anyone, citizen from birth or recent immigrant, as long as you share in American experiences and identify with the culture, can become an American. That’s what this video is about; there’s a discrepancy between that ideal and a (in my view) xenophobic and nationalistic culture that wants to push out immigrants with the excuse that someone somewhere broke a law 15 years ago.
As cliche as it is to say, America is a nation of immigrants. Native Americans aside for the moment (since that’s a whole can of worms), America is made entirely and solely of immigrants or descendants of immigrants (as long as I’m being loose with that word as it applied to slaves). Diversity is important. We should welcome more immigrants and more diversity of experience and culture and thought. Safely, yes, but right now, in my opinion, safety has become a dog whistle for xenophobia.
Vo 1
August 28, 2020 at 9:33 pm
#saveTEDrassian
Семён Борцов
August 29, 2020 at 10:32 am
Dear TED! I really like yours videos and you channel – it is actuall, interesting. But my level of English is not really good, so I can”t understand all of your content and speaches. In Russia there is one channel (TED on Russian), who translate your videos – i have known about you from this channel. You sad, that TED on Russian should close – so, I can”t whath interesting vidios, but I want so. Could you find a dissision with this channel – it will be great for many people from my country. Thank you and have a nice day!
GAVRANOX
August 29, 2020 at 1:05 pm
Most of the people commenting here are suggesting that people BORN in the United States DESERVE more compared to people who migrate. Why is that exactly?
Should you simply deserve more because you happen to be born in one place instead of another?
Portraying this question as a question of legality is just an excuse for justifying racial discrimination.
If people were moving from Germany, Denmark or Finland to the US, nobody would raise a single voice.
Domas A
August 31, 2020 at 4:37 pm
They say the American Dream is dead, but they would risk their lives to come here?