ChatGPT helped me to compile this list. This is just a small sample of the ways in which undocumented people have enriched our lives.
1. César Millán
- Background: Born in Culiacán, Mexico, César Millán crossed into the U.S. in the early 1990s without authorization.
- Later Status: Naturalized U.S. citizen (2009).
- Why Notable: Best known for his TV show Dog Whisperer with César Millán.
2. Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
- Background: Born in Mexicali, Mexico, he entered the U.S. as an undocumented migrant farmworker.
- Later Status: Became a U.S. citizen after years of education (community college, UC Berkeley, Harvard Medical School).
- Why Notable: A world-renowned neurosurgeon, professor, and medical researcher.
3. Julissa Arce
- Background: Born in Mexico, Arce came to the U.S. on a tourist visa that was later overstayed, making her undocumented for many years.
- Later Status: She ultimately obtained legal status and became a U.S. citizen in 2014.
- Why Notable: Former Wall Street executive (Goldman Sachs), author of My (Underground) American Dream, and immigration rights advocate.
4. Jose Antonio Vargas
- Background: Born in the Philippines, he was sent to the U.S. as a child to live with his grandparents. He discovered he was undocumented when he tried to apply for a driver’s license at age 16.
- Current Status: As far as publicly known, he remains undocumented (he has not become a U.S. citizen).
- Why Notable: Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, and founder of the nonprofit Define American.
5. Astrid Silva
- Background: Brought from Mexico to the U.S. when she was a small child, she learned of her undocumented status when she discovered she could not apply for financial aid or certain scholarships.
- Later Status: She received DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), but has not publicly announced becoming a U.S. citizen.
- Why Notable: Prominent DREAMer and immigration activist who was mentioned by President Obama in public speeches.
6. Erika Andiola
- Background: Brought to the U.S. from Mexico at a young age without legal status.
- Current Status: Known to have had DACA protection; not publicly known to be a citizen.
- Why Notable: Nationally recognized immigration reform activist, worked on Bernie Sanders’s 2016 presidential campaign.
7. Gaby Pacheco
- Background: Came from Ecuador to the U.S. at age 7. She was undocumented for much of her childhood and early adult life.
- Current Status: Has been a prominent advocate for the DREAM Act and immigration reform; information on her final immigration status is not widely public, though she secured temporary protections for many years.
- Why Notable: One of the four core walkers in the 2010 “Trail of Dreams” (a 1,500-mile walk from Miami to Washington, D.C.) to raise awareness about undocumented youth.
8. Angy Rivera
- Background: Born in Colombia, came to the U.S. as a child, lived undocumented for most of her early life.
- Later Status: She obtained a U-Visa (for victims of crime who assist law enforcement) and then a green card. Whether she has naturalized since is not publicly confirmed.
- Why Notable: A well-known activist who founded an advice column called “Ask Angy,” offering guidance for other undocumented youth.