How did he do it?

How did Jose Antonio Vargas make it so far without being questioned about his status? I've been wondering this since I heard about his story.

simply because he's well educated and well dress. anybody can get away with anythng if your good looking. specially if your a girl.

the law didn't really become strict on paperworks until e-verify passed, and even then only newly hired were recommended to be checked. I'm guessing he got a job pre-everify era and really kicked ass on the it so he doesn't get fired or questioned. I mean think about it, if I was the editor and a pulitzer-prized dude is working for me, I wouldn't question him either.

Yeah. E verify isnt mandatory yet, is it? Anyway I was just wondering bc I always thought it to be impossible to be so successful given the cirumstances. This makes me think otherwise?

He used some fake documents to get by at first and did a few things some might find questionable. It's not worth harping on him for it, though, so let's not get started.

I actually think the worker at the DOT needs applause.. He told him not to come back even thought he knew he was undocumented.

Jose has a Social Security Number. Granted his grandfather used a fake passport (with his real name on it) to get it, It is a real social security number. If you came into this country through a port of entry using a passport, you used to be able to get a SS number and a card. This card had a notice on it stating that you couldn't use it to apply for a job, but he did so anyway. He got a fake card with the real number on it, and this is the card he gave his employers. He also got a driver's license from a state that gives licenses regardless of status.

Hope that helps.

Thats a lot of 'lucky' breaks. Thanks.