Ben D’Avanzo
@bendavanzo.bsky.social
Advocate for health equity and economic justice for the National Immigration Law Center. Also neighborhood and housing issues as a hobby. Dad of 2 cute wild kids.
Even the people who helped negotiate this ICE funding deal know it totally fails to meet the moment.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, says she is voting NO on the DHS funding bill she negotiated. Highly unusual. She says ICE mustn't be abolished but must be reformed. "The right thing for me to do is vote no on this bill."
January 22, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Even the people who helped negotiate this ICE funding deal know it totally fails to meet the moment.
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
"Stop calling ICE the Gestapo! ICE is nothing like the Gestapo. Now, let me innumerate all the many ways ICE is exactly like the Gestapo. Thank you for your attention to this matter."
January 22, 2026 at 2:44 AM
"Stop calling ICE the Gestapo! ICE is nothing like the Gestapo. Now, let me innumerate all the many ways ICE is exactly like the Gestapo. Thank you for your attention to this matter."
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
Every day some story breaks me some. Today it’s the guy who approached parents at a school patrol, told them he was with Indivisible, and asked about how the patrol system works. The parents gave vague answers, followed him back to his car — and of course it was ICE.
January 21, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Every day some story breaks me some. Today it’s the guy who approached parents at a school patrol, told them he was with Indivisible, and asked about how the patrol system works. The parents gave vague answers, followed him back to his car — and of course it was ICE.
The only time when undocumented immigrants use federally-funded Medicaid is for emergency care. CMS is forcing a horrific choice to someone who gets hit by a car.
ICE is using Medicaid data to find out where immigrants live • Stateline
In a win for President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, a recent court ruling has cleared the way for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to resume using states’ Medicaid data to find people...
stateline.org
January 21, 2026 at 2:31 PM
The only time when undocumented immigrants use federally-funded Medicaid is for emergency care. CMS is forcing a horrific choice to someone who gets hit by a car.
Checking out the so called "free speech zone" in Boston during the 2004 DNC was a formative experience for me as a teen. It was under a highway overpass, not even close to the convention, surrounded by fences. I think it was empty when I went.
Free speech is useless if those in power can't hear you
Free speech is useless if those in power can't hear you
BRENNAN: Noem called on your to set up a safe zone where protest would be contained. Is that something you're looking at?
JACOB FREY: First Amendment speech is not limited to one park or one section of the city. You're allowed to protest so long as you're doing it peacefully
JACOB FREY: First Amendment speech is not limited to one park or one section of the city. You're allowed to protest so long as you're doing it peacefully
January 18, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Checking out the so called "free speech zone" in Boston during the 2004 DNC was a formative experience for me as a teen. It was under a highway overpass, not even close to the convention, surrounded by fences. I think it was empty when I went.
Free speech is useless if those in power can't hear you
Free speech is useless if those in power can't hear you
CMS and DHS must stop this egregious data betrayal. Especially at risk is the willingness of immigrants to go to the emergency room when they need to and for hospitals to be reimbursed for emergency services they provide
New data sharing agreement between CMS and ICE raises some key issues re compliance with court orders applicable in several states to share data only for individuals who are not lawfully present and also increases concerns around data privacy and protection
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
@kff.org
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
@kff.org
January 15, 2026 at 2:50 PM
CMS and DHS must stop this egregious data betrayal. Especially at risk is the willingness of immigrants to go to the emergency room when they need to and for hospitals to be reimbursed for emergency services they provide
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
The Congressional Progressive Caucus, a group of nearly 100 House Democrats, will announce later today that it's formally endorsing legislation to strip $175 billion from ICE and put it toward affordable housing. www.huffpost.com/entry/doj-fe...
Progressive Caucus Backs Bill To Redirect ICE Money To Affordable Housing
www.huffpost.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM
The Congressional Progressive Caucus, a group of nearly 100 House Democrats, will announce later today that it's formally endorsing legislation to strip $175 billion from ICE and put it toward affordable housing. www.huffpost.com/entry/doj-fe...
I have met so many people who arrived to the U.S. as children, used public benefits while their families got their footing, and then went on to great success.
Despite the entire history of the U.S. as a counterexample, he Trump administration cannot fathom immigrants as net positive contributors
Despite the entire history of the U.S. as a counterexample, he Trump administration cannot fathom immigrants as net positive contributors
US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iran
State Department halts visa processing for 75 countries including Somalia, Russia and Iran to crack down on applicants likely to become public charges.
www.foxnews.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:59 PM
I have met so many people who arrived to the U.S. as children, used public benefits while their families got their footing, and then went on to great success.
Despite the entire history of the U.S. as a counterexample, he Trump administration cannot fathom immigrants as net positive contributors
Despite the entire history of the U.S. as a counterexample, he Trump administration cannot fathom immigrants as net positive contributors
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
Congressional Progressive Caucus "opposes any appropriations bill that provides any funding to immigration enforcement agencies within the Department of Homeland Security unless there are meaningful and significant reforms to immigration enforcement"
Funding runs out Jan. 30
Funding runs out Jan. 30
January 13, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Congressional Progressive Caucus "opposes any appropriations bill that provides any funding to immigration enforcement agencies within the Department of Homeland Security unless there are meaningful and significant reforms to immigration enforcement"
Funding runs out Jan. 30
Funding runs out Jan. 30
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
The people seem to be turning against ICE, and that's probably because the president is sending them into every major population center and screwing with people's lives. Politics is often invisible, but this is not!
January 13, 2026 at 7:38 PM
The people seem to be turning against ICE, and that's probably because the president is sending them into every major population center and screwing with people's lives. Politics is often invisible, but this is not!
First thing would be to not agree to billions of dollars to jail more immigrants that is reported to be part of the annual DHS funding bill act.nilc.org/page/92601/-/1
January 7, 2026 at 10:12 PM
First thing would be to not agree to billions of dollars to jail more immigrants that is reported to be part of the annual DHS funding bill act.nilc.org/page/92601/-/1
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
We have the video. These are just brazen lies by DHS. They murdered her in cold blood.
January 7, 2026 at 6:11 PM
We have the video. These are just brazen lies by DHS. They murdered her in cold blood.
Congress gave ICE a slush fund, paid for by cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, which they are using to buy military equipment and weapons. They are looking for excuse to use their toys to cause chaos in cities
DHS now confirming in a. statement that an ICE officer did shoot and kill someone at the site of a raid.
January 7, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Congress gave ICE a slush fund, paid for by cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, which they are using to buy military equipment and weapons. They are looking for excuse to use their toys to cause chaos in cities
From Politico this morning, it's worth noting our relationship with the Pacific COFA nations includes testing many nuclear weapons there, leading to high rates of cancer and inedible produce
Today, folks from COFA countries leave their homes to come work in meat processing plants in the Midwest
Today, folks from COFA countries leave their homes to come work in meat processing plants in the Midwest
January 6, 2026 at 12:20 PM
From Politico this morning, it's worth noting our relationship with the Pacific COFA nations includes testing many nuclear weapons there, leading to high rates of cancer and inedible produce
Today, folks from COFA countries leave their homes to come work in meat processing plants in the Midwest
Today, folks from COFA countries leave their homes to come work in meat processing plants in the Midwest
All paid for by cutting Medicaid and SNAP www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
January 5, 2026 at 6:52 PM
All paid for by cutting Medicaid and SNAP www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
1.6 million people who were authorized to work have lost status under the Trump
In 2023 there were 3 million immigrants working in the construction industry industry and another 3 million in manufacturing. 6 million in health/education services.
Who thinks this is good for our country?
In 2023 there were 3 million immigrants working in the construction industry industry and another 3 million in manufacturing. 6 million in health/education services.
Who thinks this is good for our country?
Immigrants now have fewer legal options to stay in the U.S. under Trump
The 1.6 million number marks the largest-ever effort to strip permissions for immigrants who attempted to migrate to the country through legal means, advocates say.
www.npr.org
January 5, 2026 at 6:31 PM
1.6 million people who were authorized to work have lost status under the Trump
In 2023 there were 3 million immigrants working in the construction industry industry and another 3 million in manufacturing. 6 million in health/education services.
Who thinks this is good for our country?
In 2023 there were 3 million immigrants working in the construction industry industry and another 3 million in manufacturing. 6 million in health/education services.
Who thinks this is good for our country?
Attacks on immigrants' use of basic services have always been used to further degradation of those services themselves.
See for example, the 1996 welfare "reform" law and the reconciliation bill passed this summer.
See for example, the 1996 welfare "reform" law and the reconciliation bill passed this summer.
so basically our rich oligarchs launched a racist propaganda media campaign to demonize taxpayer-funded childcare, our garbage oligarch press parroted the attack, and now they're going to steal that money to put into their assorted cryptocurrency grifts
‘Scorched-Earth Attack’: Trump Admin Cuts Off Childcare Funds to All States | Common Dreams
"My team and I are exploring all our legal options to ensure that critical childcare services do not get abruptly slashed based on pretext and grandstanding," said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ell...
www.commondreams.org
January 2, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Attacks on immigrants' use of basic services have always been used to further degradation of those services themselves.
See for example, the 1996 welfare "reform" law and the reconciliation bill passed this summer.
See for example, the 1996 welfare "reform" law and the reconciliation bill passed this summer.
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
the 2000s and 2010s were full of people in the entertainment world being rightly fired for saying things that pale in comparison to what comes from prominent Republicans today and the main difference is that major national news media have accepted "Republicans are racist" as no longer newsworthy
the racism coming from the entire conservative movement targeting the somali community is so goddam disgusting and its just being completely ignored
December 31, 2025 at 7:00 PM
the 2000s and 2010s were full of people in the entertainment world being rightly fired for saying things that pale in comparison to what comes from prominent Republicans today and the main difference is that major national news media have accepted "Republicans are racist" as no longer newsworthy
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
Newly unsealed docs show DOJ moved to prosecute Kilmar Abrego Garcia for smuggling only after it became clear Trump might not be able to deport him. Sure looks driven by a desire to punish him for fighting back against Trump/Miller lawlessness. Trump had to be right.
www.cbsnews.com/news/abrego-...
www.cbsnews.com/news/abrego-...
December 30, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Newly unsealed docs show DOJ moved to prosecute Kilmar Abrego Garcia for smuggling only after it became clear Trump might not be able to deport him. Sure looks driven by a desire to punish him for fighting back against Trump/Miller lawlessness. Trump had to be right.
www.cbsnews.com/news/abrego-...
www.cbsnews.com/news/abrego-...
Stripping work authorization from 1+ million people (with more to come) has been bad for aging families who rely on them for long term care
Nativists say that kicking out working immigrants will raise wages and attract U.S. born workers. But who will pay the cost of the (badly needed) higher wages?
Nativists say that kicking out working immigrants will raise wages and attract U.S. born workers. But who will pay the cost of the (badly needed) higher wages?
Family members carry the burden and costs of caring for America's aging population. Federal policy change is slow to come but a new movement and state actions are building momentum. n.pr/4pSCHIa
Policy relief for family caregivers seems stalled out. But there are signs of change
Family members carry the burden and costs of caring for America's aging population. Federal policy change is slow to come but a new movement and state actions are building momentum.
n.pr
December 30, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Stripping work authorization from 1+ million people (with more to come) has been bad for aging families who rely on them for long term care
Nativists say that kicking out working immigrants will raise wages and attract U.S. born workers. But who will pay the cost of the (badly needed) higher wages?
Nativists say that kicking out working immigrants will raise wages and attract U.S. born workers. But who will pay the cost of the (badly needed) higher wages?
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
“About a third of the staff at one Miami nursing home lost their jobs after the Trump administration ended the programs letting them work legally.”
The caregiving industry could not survive without immigrants. But a third of the staff at one Miami nursing home lost their jobs after the Trump administration ended the programs letting them work legally.
www.notus.org/immigration/...
www.notus.org/immigration/...
‘A Demographic Ticking Time Bomb’: Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Comes for Seniors’ Caretakers
Thirteen percent of immigrants providing long-term care in people’s homes are noncitizens.
www.notus.org
December 27, 2025 at 8:30 PM
“About a third of the staff at one Miami nursing home lost their jobs after the Trump administration ended the programs letting them work legally.”
Reminder that the money for these human warehouses were taken from Medicaid and SNAP in this summer's reconciliation bill
WaPo reports that ICE is planning 7 massive human warehouses holding 5,000 to 10,000 people.
Recalls the acting ICE director 2015 statement that he wanted to see a “business”-oriented approach to deportations, “like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings”.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Recalls the acting ICE director 2015 statement that he wanted to see a “business”-oriented approach to deportations, “like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings”.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
ICE documents reveal plan to hold 80,000 immigrants in warehouses
The Trump administration wants to build seven large-scale deportation hubs to speed up deportations, internal ICE documents show.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Reminder that the money for these human warehouses were taken from Medicaid and SNAP in this summer's reconciliation bill
Did the people sent to the abomination of a torture prison deserve it because they stole the heart of Te Fiti?
December 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Did the people sent to the abomination of a torture prison deserve it because they stole the heart of Te Fiti?
Excited about this major new housing in my neighborhood, replacing what is now surface parking, along with bike lanes and the beginning of a new biophilic pedestrian path
They'll absolutely be expensive (except a few committed affordable units) but should serve to reduce pressure on older units
They'll absolutely be expensive (except a few committed affordable units) but should serve to reduce pressure on older units
Plan for 743-unit expansion to RiverHouse in Pentagon City receives approval
Plan for 743-unit expansion to RiverHouse in Pentagon City receives approval | ARLnow.com
After years of discussion and hours of public testimony this weekend, the County Board has approved a substantial expansion to Pentagon City's RiverHouse development. In a series of 5-0 votes, Board members...
www.arlnow.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Excited about this major new housing in my neighborhood, replacing what is now surface parking, along with bike lanes and the beginning of a new biophilic pedestrian path
They'll absolutely be expensive (except a few committed affordable units) but should serve to reduce pressure on older units
They'll absolutely be expensive (except a few committed affordable units) but should serve to reduce pressure on older units