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On Tuesday, US Border Patrol agents in McAllen, Texas, detained Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and immigration activist José Antonio Vargas. According to Ryan Eller, campaign director for Define American, the advocacy group founded by Vargas, agents took Vargas into custody while trying to pass through airport security on his way to Los Angeles, California.
Vargas, who arrived in the United States when he was 12 years old, has openly stated he lives in the United States as an illegal immigrant.
Before being detained, Vargas tweeted: “About to go thru security at McAllen Airport. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
About to go thru security at McAllen Airport. I don’t know what’s going to happen. For updates follow @DefineAmerican & @MAC_UTPA
— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) July 15, 2014
“The only IDs I have for security: Philippine passport and my pocketbook US Constitution,” he added.
The only IDs I have for security: Philippine passport and my pocketbook US Constitution @DefineAmerican & @MAC_UTPA pic.twitter.com/IFH0Vb4oX7
— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) July 15, 2014
On Tuesday morning, immigration officers confirmed they detained a man while trying to pass through airport security and was being held at McAllen Airport. Omar Zamora, a Border Patrol spokesman, later confirmed the detainee was Vargas.
Vargas was in McAllen attending a vigil for unaccompanied migrant children attempting to enter the United States. Cristina Jiménez, managing director of United We Dream (UWD), an immigrant activist group, confirmed his detention: “José had traveled to the United States border with Mexico to highlight the plight of refugee children.”
“José did not know there would be a checkpoint in this area for United States Customs and Border Protection,” she added.
Although located within the United States, McAllen Airport serves as an interior checkpoint for US Customs and Border Protection.
Source: BBC, El Nuevo Herald.
