His birthday wish is to be reunited with his mother

Posted: February 13th, 2014 ˑ Filled under: Immigration, Media ˑ No Comments

Jose with guests: 'Lumpia' and photo ops for his birthday. Photos by Elton Lugay

Jose with guests: ‘Lumpia’ and endless photo ops for his birthday. Photos by Elton Lugay

By Cristina DC Pastor

Jose Antonio Vargas is hoping this year will be the year it happens.

“I want to see my mother,” he said to me, as we waited for guests to arrive at Jeepney for his 33rd birthday celebration. I was the first at the restaurant. We had a little chat over drinks, interrupted by texts and calls, but enough to indicate that Jose has not given up and is constantly looking for ways to make his wish happen. “This year.”

The possibility of mother and son reuniting is daunting and likely to be another headline-making controversy because of his high-profile stature as a Pulitzer Award winner. “People are already saying I’m getting a lot of…whatever.”

His mother, Emelie Salinas, cannot come to the U.S. because of a previously failed attempt to enter the U.S.; Jose cannot leave the U.S. But who’s to say that a meeting at some jurisdictionally neutral location – say, Hawaii or Guam — cannot be arranged?

“There’s got to be a way,” said the hopeful Jose, who founded Define American in 2011 after he came out as ‘undocumented,’ and began advocating for immigration reform and rights for immigrants with no legal status. He left it at that as he welcomed a stream of well-wishers that began arriving after 7.

Jose said the party was the first he’s hosted since moving to New York about five years ago. “I’ve never really treated myself, or had a party for myself.” It’s the best party ever “because Boots Babushka is here!”