Cop Quote by Jose Antonio Vargas
“I'm not excusing the illegal act. I am here illegally. I'm here illegally, without authorization. That's a fact. That's nothing you can call the Orwellian cops about. But I am a human being, so therefore I am not illegal. That's also a fact.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 2011
The speaker distinguishes between illegal status and human dignity, asserting that being a human being makes one inherently lawful despite legal definitions.
In simple terms: Human dignity transcends legal labels.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for humane treatment of all individuals.
Themes
immigration
human rights
legal status
identity
Mood
empathetic
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- asylum applications
- public policy debates
- community support groups
Key Concepts
human dignity
legal vs moral
civil rights
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to be 'illegal' in a moral sense?
- How can societies reconcile law with human rights?
A Different Perspective
Legal systems may resist redefining 'illegal' based on humanity.
![“I will be known forever as the Puppy who chased a cutpurse and caught fish garbage instead. My descendants will pretend I'm not in their bloodline. No – no one will want to make descendants with me. [from Beka Cooper's journal of her first day as a new Dog i.e. cop]” quote by Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6d5/tamora-pierce-935_beka-cooper_i-will-be-known-forever-as-the-puppy-who_17776.jpg)
