Ignorance is bliss
Ironically, Vargas was not actually aware of his illegal immigrant status until he was a teenager and he started to drive. He discovered then that his papers were fake.
Vargas' career
Vargas challenges assumptions about illegal immigrants. Ironically, Vargas himself went onto become a successful journalist, proving to everyone what he was capable of despite being told otherwise.
The most famous illegal
Vargas originally kept his status a secret, after finding out during his teenage years. However, despite keeping it secret for many years, he went onto become the "most famous illegal" person in America.
An American Citizen
Although Vargas is an American and identifies as American, he is denied basic things other Americans are entitled to. For example, he is unable to get a driver's license.
The irony of history
Vargas comments on the irony of the way people view history. He states that "migration is the most natural thing people do," and how many civilizations were established. He says:
"When white people move it's seen as courageous and necessary, celebrated in history books. Yet when people of color move, legally or illegally, the migration itself is subject to questions of legality."
