Define American

Background

Define America is a left-of-center organization founded in 2011 to promote the theme of an inclusive America that welcomes those present in the United States regardless of whether they entered or remained legally or illegally. DA states that it is “working to humanize the immigration narrative” and further states that “Definitions belong to the definers, not the defined.” The group was originally fiscally sponsored by NEO Philanthropy and obtained independent charitable status in 2015. DA leverages storytelling across media and industries by individuals who have entered or are in the United States illegally, using research and partnerships to build support for their position. The group’s argument that illegal immigrants are Americans “just not legally” was featured in a Time cover article by Jose Antonio Vargas on June 25, 2012. DA has advocated replacing the terms “illegal immigrant” and “illegal alien” with “undocumented immigrant” and supports the slogan “everyone belongs.” ^{1  3  4  5  2}

Activities

Story Lab

Define American launched Story Lab, which provides tools for filmmakers, television writers, digital creators, journalists, researchers, and advocates to craft stories that influence and challenge “misinformation” and foster a “more comprehensive and authentic American story where everyone belongs.” ⁶

Narrative Research Lab

Along with the University of Southern California Norman Lear Center, DA produced a television impact study titled Change the Narrative, Change the World: How Hollywood Can Fight for Immigrant Stories on Screen. Its fourth study was published in 2025 and found that 23 percent of immigrants on television were “Latine” compared to 34 per cent in 2020 and that one in four immigrant characters were portrayed as criminals. ⁷

Talking to Journalists

DA, in partnership with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s PublicSource, published a “Talking to Journalists” postcard that educates illegal immigrants about their rights when approached by reporters. The group also provides workshops, advisory services and strategic guidance for newsrooms in their “Immigration Reporting 101” guide to advance “accurate and informed reporting” on immigration issues. DA has collaborated with one unnamed newsroom in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to provide guidance on immigration reporting. ⁸

Social Media

Define American works with social media partners and influencers in the creation of videos that combat anti-immigrant media. DA provides reports such as “Immigration Will Destroy Us” and other talking points that detail how to combat the claims made opponents of liberal immigration policies. The group also provides a toolkit on tips for reaching the moveable middle on YouTube for immigration advocates and creators. DA also provides support for storytellers and entertainment media. ^{9  10  11}

Define America

Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas is a YouTube channel that hosts guests such as Maria Hinojosa, a journalist and founder and anchor of Latino USA, who revealed the challenges of covering immigration during the Trump administration, and Yosimar Reyes, the first undocumented poet laureate of Santa Clara County, California. ¹²

Video Games

WIRED published a November 21, 2025, article quoting Shauna Siggelkow, DA’s vice president of programs, stating that gaming apps are a part of their effort to inform the public about their rights and to practice them when confronted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ¹³

Funding

Define American has received over $23 million in foundation grants since its inception through reports available in August 2026. Major grant totals included over $2.3 million from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, $2 million from the Chicago Community Trust (CTT) in 2023, and $1.55 million from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), with additional grants from the Ford Foundation, the California Endowment, and 35 others. ¹⁴

DA received a $328,641 grant from NEO Philanthropy in its first year as a free-standing charitable organization. ¹⁵

Controversies

Define America’s founder and president, Jose Antonio Vargas, launched the organization after he proclaimed his illegal immigrant status. DA made a statement on January 19, 2025, commending its founder’s application for and acceptance of an O visa, arguing that it was required for him to travel internationally and thus not hypocritical. ¹⁶

In 2018, DA’s founder shared a photo of a child crying behind a fence captioned as “illegal kids in cages” that turned out to be from a staged protest and not a detention facility. ¹⁷

People

The co-founders of Define America are Jose Antonio Vargas, Jake Brewer, Jehmu Greene, and Alicia Menendez. Vargas is also the president of DA; a former journalist; the producer of “White People,” an Emmy nominated MTV special; and a co-producer of the stage show What the Constitution Means to Me. DA reported on its 2024 tax returns that Vargas received no salary from DA while also reporting that Undocumented LLC, which is owned by Vargas, received $270,292 in consulting fees. ^{3  18  19  20}

DA’s board chair is listed on its 2024 tax forms as Micco Mele, who is a former director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, and Kristina Villarini was listed as a board member. Villarini’s LinkedIn profile indicates that her role at DA ended in January of 2026. ^{21  22  23}

Define American lists Jenn Bender as a staff consultant on its 2024 tax forms with a payment of $236,290 for services. ^{24  25}