Work

Leadership

Define American

Founder of a non-profit that empowers diverse and nuanced storytelling about immigrant experiences across mediums and industries through research, partnerships, and storyteller engagement. Host of its titular YouTube show and podcast exploring all facets of immigration

1587 Sneakers

Co-founder of the world's first Asian American sneaker brand

The California State University

Member of its Board of Trustees, adopting regulations and policies governing its entire 23-school system

Writing

202X

White Is Not a Country

A book examining America's foundational Black and White racial binary, and where everyone else fits within and outside that binary

2019

Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen

My best-selling memoir. Published by HarperCollins. An updated version with new material for living in Trump's America was released in June 2025

Download teaching guide

2014

Trapped on the Border

A first-hand account of being detained in McAllen, TX for Politico

2012

We Are Americans* / *Just Not Legally

A TIME magazine cover story follow-up to "Outlaw"

2011

Outlaw: My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant

An essay revealing and chronicling my life in America as an undocumented immigrant for the New York Times Magazine

2010

The Face of Facebook

A profile of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for the New Yorker

2009

Citizen Gore

An interview with former US Vice President Al Gore for Rolling Stone

2008

Politics Is No Longer Local. It's Viral.

A column on how the internet changed politics for the Washington Post

2007

When It Comes to AIDS, a Tale of Two Washingtons

A column on the AIDS epidemic in Washington, DC for the Washington Post. Inspired the 2010 documentary film The Other City

2005

Signs of Progress

A profile of Franklin E. Kameny, father of the gay rights movement, for the Washington Post

2005

Gamers' Intersection

A feature on experiences playing the video game Grand Theft Auto III: San Andreas for the Washington Post

2004

He's Always Being Hit On

A profile of Craigslist founder Craig Newmark for the Washington Post

2003

In world of racial diversity, what is 'white'?

A feature on White students seeking to define their culture and heritage for the San Francisco Chronicle

Producing and Directing

2023

Here Lies Love

A Tony-nominated Broadway staging of David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's musical about the rise and fall of former First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos

2019

What the Constitution Means to Me

Heidi Schreck's Tony-nominated Broadway play that traces the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives

2015

White People

An Emmy-nominated MTV special on what it means to be young and White in a demographically-changing America

Media coverage:

The New Yorker

The Atlantic

2013

Documented

A documentary film on my undocumented experience. Released theatrically, broadcast on CNN, and nominated for an NAACP Image Award for "Outstanding Documentary"

Media coverage:

The Hollywood Reporter

The Washington Post