The Washington Post Turned Down Jose Vargas’ Illegal Immigrant Story

by Frances Martel | 4:29 pm, June 22nd, 2011

» 15 comments

This morning, the New York Times Magazine posted the moving story of Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who had managed throughout his time in the United States to hide the fact that he is an illegal immigrant. But later in the day, NYT Magazine editor Chris Suellentrop admitted they had been fortunate to come by the story, because Vargas’ first choice– his employer, the Washington Post– turned the story down.

Vargas, who also sat down with ABC News for an interview pertaining to his feature, only came to the Times after, Suellentrop reveals, after the Post refused to publish the story on Monday, contrary to the original plan. Suellentrop also recounts the intrigue surrounding Vargas’ pitch and his fear at the revelation that he could very well be deported. The NYT Magazine, already set to print, “tore up the book” and edited and prepared the article within 48 hours of the magazine closing. “This wasn’t a story we were going to give to anyone else,” he notes. Yet the Washington Post seemed to differ, and, when asked to comment on the story, Post‘s “Outlook” section editor Carlos Lozada gave the Times the following statement:

Jose Antonio Vargas did approach us with this idea some time ago, and I worked with him on the story for some weeks, with the intention of running it in Outlook. In the end, a decision was made here to pass on it. I’m delighted that the author found such a great home for the piece in the Sunday Magazine at The Times — certainly a fine second choice after The Washington Post Outlook section.

Backhanded “fine second choice” compliment aside, why the story was cut so late in the printing process and allowed to slip away remains a mystery. Perhaps given Vargas’ status as an employee of the Post for some time, his tale presented significant legal hurdles for the newspaper– after all, the fact that Vargas is a journalist and does not fit the stereotype of a blue-collar illegal worker doesn’t change the fact that he his employment broke federal laws. As the story develops and Vargas begins giving more and more interviews, one imagines it will take little time to for the backstory to surface, while Vargas’ legal status in this country hangs in the balance.

Jose Vargas, Washington Post

TfT

“moving story”

He broke the law, but his is a “moving story”.

Go figure.
Azarkhan

“As the story develops and Vargas begins giving more and more interviews…while Vargas’ legal status in this country hangs in the balance.”

LOL. With an open borders moron like Obama in office, I don’t think Vargas has to worry about his immigration status. Besides, he’s too busy cashing in on left wing talk shows and newspapers to worry about ICE.
http://twitter.com/SailRabbits Magister

@TfT: It was a moving story. It was so very personal and a tale people will remember. As to whether it’ll have a lasting effect on the immigration debate, time will tell, but the story was expertly presented.

Otherwise, yeah, I have to again agree with Frances. The fact that some officials with the “Washington Post” were aware of his situation could present legal issues and if they were the ones to publish the piece, it could be interpreted by some as being self-serving.

Plus, the “Times” has a larger readership, both online and with hardcopies, so by telling the story in its pages, it’ll get wider distribution and a side benefit is that without the distraction of questions about the “Post”, the story could have a greater impact.
Dem4Ever

The media has, for some time now, been hostile to the Federal government’s immigration policies. Their inexplicable behaviour combined with today’s stunning revolation, one must wonder if there are more Vargas’ out there in the powerful media pretending to be US citizens and using their trusted positions as journalists to generate opposition to our immigration laws.
lane

Can’t imagine why anyone would admit to being a criminal, so must be more to the story.
http://constitutionallibertarian.co.cc DavidKramer

I think the State he resides in should do a check of the voter registration. If he is on it he should be charged with election fraud and tampering. With the other charges he should be processed to the ICE.

That would be the beautiful ending to a story such as this.

Remember the story about the Canadian living in New York and rand for Prime Minister? He admitted to voting in our elections. Where is the Conservatives going after these cases.

The leftists are standing up and spitting in the face of our laws?

You know what, if they do not have to follow the laws, neither do I. That is the typical leftist reaction isn’t it? Well these other people did it.

Yep, the end of the Republic is at hand. No longer following the rule of law but the rule of man. It is not the law, it is who you know or are.
Raygun

TfT said:
“moving story”

He broke the law, but his is a “moving story”.

Right, you didn’t read the piece.
TfT

I quoted the piece, raygun. that is why “moving story” is in quotes; right there in the first paragraph.
http://justplaythegame.us JustPlayTheGame

TfT said:
“moving story”

He broke the law, but his is a “moving story”.

Go figure.

One leaving their homeland to start a new life in another.. they are ALL moving stories..
But there is a right way and a wrong way of doing just that… his was illegal.
You do not thank a person for letting us know they broke the law.
You figure out how it happened and fix it for the future.

Bottom line.. illegal.. either enforce laws or throw them all out already.
Immigration should hold him immediately or disban Immigration.
House keeper, Gardener, cheap labor, educated.
why should there be a difference and a divide between classes?
Don’t we have enough of that in this country? Shall we show compassion or abide by the laws?
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CAconservative

A moving story? Like in bowel-movement because, that’s all this crap is! He, and he Left can spin this story anyway they want but, the truth is this illegal alien parasite entered our country illegally, and is holding a job that should have been filled by an American citizen! There is no justification, for this illegal clown to spend one more day in this country. Why hasn’t this illegal trespassing parasite been arrested and deported?!
http://www.facebook.com/debbie.niemeyer Debbie Niemeyer

I as a deranged liberal completely agree.
http://www.facebook.com/debbie.niemeyer Debbie Niemeyer

I’ve worked in the private yachting industry and have dealt with my fair share of illegally gainfully employed Europeans, SAs, Aussies, etc…I was pretty disgusted by the time I left FL. Now I’m hit again as a house keeper and business owner…in NY of course. This time I’m competing with incompetant, ill English speaking hispancis and Eastern Europeans…some who even iron sheets on the floor and use the same dirty rags on YOUR surfaces. “Polish Cleaning” in NYC…are ya kidding me? Oh btw, if you’re in NYC, please look up Yacht Standard on Facebook!