Matthew Borus
@matthewborus.bsky.social
Sociologist, social work faculty
Posting topics include community, disability, social welfare, Chicago, social movements, organizing, policy, the state, labor, coffee, and various nerdy side trips. Personal account
Posting topics include community, disability, social welfare, Chicago, social movements, organizing, policy, the state, labor, coffee, and various nerdy side trips. Personal account
Pinned
Matthew Borus
@matthewborus.bsky.social
· Feb 26
Cutting Medicaid and federal programs are among 4 key Trump administration policy changes that could make life harder for disabled people
Tracking disability policies has long been challenging − this will become a harder task under the Trump administration.
theconversation.com
New from me: A look at four (of many) areas where Trump and his GOP allies threaten to roll back disability policy:
-Disability rights at work
-Cuts to the federal workforce
-Education
-Health care, both in terms of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid
Please check it out!
-Disability rights at work
-Cuts to the federal workforce
-Education
-Health care, both in terms of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid
Please check it out!
Reposted by Matthew Borus
The CBP agent who murdered Renee Good was filming himself with his phone in one hand as he shot with the other.
So I’m kinda skeptical of body cams.
So I’m kinda skeptical of body cams.
January 27, 2026 at 3:11 PM
The CBP agent who murdered Renee Good was filming himself with his phone in one hand as he shot with the other.
So I’m kinda skeptical of body cams.
So I’m kinda skeptical of body cams.
Look, I’m thrilled if we never see Greg Bovino in the streets again. But any elected who takes this as a real effort at de-escalation should see the wallet inspector.
Trump continues his demonization and acts astounded that anyone objects to ICE.
He’s not backing down here. We shouldn’t either.
Trump continues his demonization and acts astounded that anyone objects to ICE.
He’s not backing down here. We shouldn’t either.
January 27, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Look, I’m thrilled if we never see Greg Bovino in the streets again. But any elected who takes this as a real effort at de-escalation should see the wallet inspector.
Trump continues his demonization and acts astounded that anyone objects to ICE.
He’s not backing down here. We shouldn’t either.
Trump continues his demonization and acts astounded that anyone objects to ICE.
He’s not backing down here. We shouldn’t either.
They’re almost certain to claim the agent was threatened and fired in defense.
And we’d be absurdly foolish to believe them.
And we’d be absurdly foolish to believe them.
Breaking per NBC News — CBP has shot and critically wounded another person, this time in Arizona. Very few details available at this time.
One person in critical condition after being shot in incident involving Border Patrol in Arizona
The individual is in custody and receiving care, according to law enforcement.
www.nbcnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:26 PM
They’re almost certain to claim the agent was threatened and fired in defense.
And we’d be absurdly foolish to believe them.
And we’d be absurdly foolish to believe them.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
getting feds to say shit like this on camera with their face exposed is NUTS -- you can not reform this agency, everyone involved must go, there is no practical way to root out all of these guys
"You raise your voice, I erase your voice."
ICE in Minneapolis are erasing your rights.
Please share our new video of what's happening in our city. youtu.be/W1dyNcRGRXY
ICE in Minneapolis are erasing your rights.
Please share our new video of what's happening in our city. youtu.be/W1dyNcRGRXY
January 27, 2026 at 6:10 PM
getting feds to say shit like this on camera with their face exposed is NUTS -- you can not reform this agency, everyone involved must go, there is no practical way to root out all of these guys
The CBP agent who murdered Renee Good was filming himself with his phone in one hand as he shot with the other.
So I’m kinda skeptical of body cams.
So I’m kinda skeptical of body cams.
January 27, 2026 at 3:11 PM
The CBP agent who murdered Renee Good was filming himself with his phone in one hand as he shot with the other.
So I’m kinda skeptical of body cams.
So I’m kinda skeptical of body cams.
I don’t know how any votes will go this week.
But it took me about three minutes to call both my senators and tell them that we need to cut ICE/CBP funding, not impose a few reforms that restate existing law.
More calls saying similarly can only help. So please, take a minute this morning.
But it took me about three minutes to call both my senators and tell them that we need to cut ICE/CBP funding, not impose a few reforms that restate existing law.
More calls saying similarly can only help. So please, take a minute this morning.
January 27, 2026 at 2:33 PM
I don’t know how any votes will go this week.
But it took me about three minutes to call both my senators and tell them that we need to cut ICE/CBP funding, not impose a few reforms that restate existing law.
More calls saying similarly can only help. So please, take a minute this morning.
But it took me about three minutes to call both my senators and tell them that we need to cut ICE/CBP funding, not impose a few reforms that restate existing law.
More calls saying similarly can only help. So please, take a minute this morning.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
As a VA nurse, Alex Pretti was a member of AFGE. This union also reps Border Patrol, and may have repped Pretti's killer. I talked to VA workers who are furious and want Border Patrol out of AFGE. "For a union member to kill another is a fundamental betrayal of what a union is supposed to be.”
Alex Pretti’s Killer May Be Part of His Union
Border Patrol agents belong to the same federal workers union as VA nurses, a situation some of Pretti’s colleagues are determined to change.
jewishcurrents.org
January 26, 2026 at 11:06 PM
As a VA nurse, Alex Pretti was a member of AFGE. This union also reps Border Patrol, and may have repped Pretti's killer. I talked to VA workers who are furious and want Border Patrol out of AFGE. "For a union member to kill another is a fundamental betrayal of what a union is supposed to be.”
I'm not an expert on ranks in paramilitary organizations, but "Commander At Large" sounds extremely goofy and made up by someone who wants to sound impressive.
"What's your command, sir?"
"Oh, you know, this and that, I'm a commander at large..."
Good riddance, camera-chasing clown.
"What's your command, sir?"
"Oh, you know, this and that, I'm a commander at large..."
Good riddance, camera-chasing clown.
January 27, 2026 at 3:49 AM
I'm not an expert on ranks in paramilitary organizations, but "Commander At Large" sounds extremely goofy and made up by someone who wants to sound impressive.
"What's your command, sir?"
"Oh, you know, this and that, I'm a commander at large..."
Good riddance, camera-chasing clown.
"What's your command, sir?"
"Oh, you know, this and that, I'm a commander at large..."
Good riddance, camera-chasing clown.
March 1 is ICE's 23rd birthday. It's younger than some of my students.
I wonder what it would mean to think strategically about dissolving the agency before it turns 24. Or at the very least, clawing back the massive infusion of steroids it got through last summer's funding bill.
I wonder what it would mean to think strategically about dissolving the agency before it turns 24. Or at the very least, clawing back the massive infusion of steroids it got through last summer's funding bill.
January 27, 2026 at 3:04 AM
March 1 is ICE's 23rd birthday. It's younger than some of my students.
I wonder what it would mean to think strategically about dissolving the agency before it turns 24. Or at the very least, clawing back the massive infusion of steroids it got through last summer's funding bill.
I wonder what it would mean to think strategically about dissolving the agency before it turns 24. Or at the very least, clawing back the massive infusion of steroids it got through last summer's funding bill.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents border patrol officers at the National Border Patrol Council, calls on Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller to resign or be fired
January 27, 2026 at 2:07 AM
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents border patrol officers at the National Border Patrol Council, calls on Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller to resign or be fired
If they dump Russ Vought and Stephen Miller, I will dance a jig in full view of my students. I will learn a jog, and dance it.
If any of these other flunkies go, I will celebrate for a bit, and then I’ll get back to work
If any of these other flunkies go, I will celebrate for a bit, and then I’ll get back to work
January 27, 2026 at 1:26 AM
If they dump Russ Vought and Stephen Miller, I will dance a jig in full view of my students. I will learn a jog, and dance it.
If any of these other flunkies go, I will celebrate for a bit, and then I’ll get back to work
If any of these other flunkies go, I will celebrate for a bit, and then I’ll get back to work
Honestly, why would anyone travel here for the World Cup?
Is it really worth rolling the dice with an immigration agency that’s shown itself to be violent, unpredictable, and not bound by law? All to see a few games?
Is it really worth rolling the dice with an immigration agency that’s shown itself to be violent, unpredictable, and not bound by law? All to see a few games?
January 26, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Honestly, why would anyone travel here for the World Cup?
Is it really worth rolling the dice with an immigration agency that’s shown itself to be violent, unpredictable, and not bound by law? All to see a few games?
Is it really worth rolling the dice with an immigration agency that’s shown itself to be violent, unpredictable, and not bound by law? All to see a few games?
Reposted by Matthew Borus
What these goons don't seem to realize is that decades of neoliberal policies have forced the work of care downstream--from the state onto families, and then onto women, who've had to get very good at caring for others through the crises that those same neoliberal policies tend to create.
I mostly just stay off Twitter altogether but after double checking that the Walter Hudson post was still up I ran across this and just had to share so the Romancelandians who bought hand warmers could hear about the PROFESSIONAL GRADE LOGISTICS.
January 26, 2026 at 12:09 PM
What these goons don't seem to realize is that decades of neoliberal policies have forced the work of care downstream--from the state onto families, and then onto women, who've had to get very good at caring for others through the crises that those same neoliberal policies tend to create.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
We join our union siblings across the country in mourning the senseless killing by federal agents of Alex Pretti, and in calling for accountability, justice and an end to this campaign of terror.
America’s unions mourn the senseless killing by federal agents of our AFGE Local 3669 union brother and VA nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti.
We reiterate our call for ICE to immediately leave Minnesota before anyone else is hurt or killed.
https://bit.ly/4pVTpFO
We reiterate our call for ICE to immediately leave Minnesota before anyone else is hurt or killed.
https://bit.ly/4pVTpFO
January 25, 2026 at 10:04 PM
We join our union siblings across the country in mourning the senseless killing by federal agents of Alex Pretti, and in calling for accountability, justice and an end to this campaign of terror.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
Wise words from WEB DuBois to gird us today: "It would be shame and cowardice to surrender this glorious land and its opportunities for civilization and humanity to the thugs and lynchers, the mobs and profiteers, the monopolists & gamblers who today choke its soul and steal its resources."
January 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Wise words from WEB DuBois to gird us today: "It would be shame and cowardice to surrender this glorious land and its opportunities for civilization and humanity to the thugs and lynchers, the mobs and profiteers, the monopolists & gamblers who today choke its soul and steal its resources."
Reposted by Matthew Borus
MAGA mistook caring about people for weakness, and is uncomfortable seeing that it’s strength.
January 26, 2026 at 1:59 AM
MAGA mistook caring about people for weakness, and is uncomfortable seeing that it’s strength.
This is a great list of initial steps to try to repair damage done over the past year.
I’d add restoring jobs within the social agencies that Trump and Musk have gutted, like Social Security, USAID, and ED. And ideally build their capacity further—they were already stretched before this.
I’d add restoring jobs within the social agencies that Trump and Musk have gutted, like Social Security, USAID, and ED. And ideally build their capacity further—they were already stretched before this.
- cancel all EOs
- fire political appointees
- strip clearances
- appoint special prosecutor for DHS
- hire a zillion IGs
- investigate and prosecute crimes
- investigate and refer policy violations for disciplinary action
- recode ICE and CBP jobs out of 1811 series
- revert name changes
- fire political appointees
- strip clearances
- appoint special prosecutor for DHS
- hire a zillion IGs
- investigate and prosecute crimes
- investigate and refer policy violations for disciplinary action
- recode ICE and CBP jobs out of 1811 series
- revert name changes
January 26, 2026 at 1:03 AM
This is a great list of initial steps to try to repair damage done over the past year.
I’d add restoring jobs within the social agencies that Trump and Musk have gutted, like Social Security, USAID, and ED. And ideally build their capacity further—they were already stretched before this.
I’d add restoring jobs within the social agencies that Trump and Musk have gutted, like Social Security, USAID, and ED. And ideally build their capacity further—they were already stretched before this.
But if we didn’t have some kind of immigration enforcement, what would happen?
A bunch of people who’ve lived here for years wouldn’t fear deportation? Labor and community orgs would be stronger thanks to that lack of fear? Abusers couldn’t threaten to call ICE?
Honestly seems win/win.
A bunch of people who’ve lived here for years wouldn’t fear deportation? Labor and community orgs would be stronger thanks to that lack of fear? Abusers couldn’t threaten to call ICE?
Honestly seems win/win.
January 25, 2026 at 11:25 PM
But if we didn’t have some kind of immigration enforcement, what would happen?
A bunch of people who’ve lived here for years wouldn’t fear deportation? Labor and community orgs would be stronger thanks to that lack of fear? Abusers couldn’t threaten to call ICE?
Honestly seems win/win.
A bunch of people who’ve lived here for years wouldn’t fear deportation? Labor and community orgs would be stronger thanks to that lack of fear? Abusers couldn’t threaten to call ICE?
Honestly seems win/win.
Went outside about 20 minutes ago, where it looked like 8 or more inches already. (I'm in upstate New York, away from the Lakes.)
So apparently there’s a 2 out of 3 chance that my city will get 12 to 18 inches.
And a much greater chance that we’ll get over 18 than that we’ll get less than 12.
And a much greater chance that we’ll get over 18 than that we’ll get less than 12.
January 25, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Went outside about 20 minutes ago, where it looked like 8 or more inches already. (I'm in upstate New York, away from the Lakes.)
I'm teaching some org theory this week, and I've been wondering if discussion of the public sector will hit at all, given how prominent the repressive hands of the state are.
So I'm glad to have a counter-example of basic sewer (or snowplow) socialism, articulated by a young mayor who knows comms.
So I'm glad to have a counter-example of basic sewer (or snowplow) socialism, articulated by a young mayor who knows comms.
We're getting a snowstorm tomorrow. But New York City is prepared.
January 25, 2026 at 7:36 PM
I'm teaching some org theory this week, and I've been wondering if discussion of the public sector will hit at all, given how prominent the repressive hands of the state are.
So I'm glad to have a counter-example of basic sewer (or snowplow) socialism, articulated by a young mayor who knows comms.
So I'm glad to have a counter-example of basic sewer (or snowplow) socialism, articulated by a young mayor who knows comms.
This is a bald-faced lie attempting to cover up a murder.
Also, this buffoon doesn’t appear to know what obfuscate means. The word makes no sense in this sentence.
As inept as he is authoritarian.
Also, this buffoon doesn’t appear to know what obfuscate means. The word makes no sense in this sentence.
As inept as he is authoritarian.
January 25, 2026 at 7:18 PM
This is a bald-faced lie attempting to cover up a murder.
Also, this buffoon doesn’t appear to know what obfuscate means. The word makes no sense in this sentence.
As inept as he is authoritarian.
Also, this buffoon doesn’t appear to know what obfuscate means. The word makes no sense in this sentence.
As inept as he is authoritarian.
Apropos of other posts about how broadly furious people are…
The r/nursing subreddit, which has over half a million visitors a week, is now displaying Alex Pretti’s work photo as its thumbnail.
The r/nursing subreddit, which has over half a million visitors a week, is now displaying Alex Pretti’s work photo as its thumbnail.
January 25, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Apropos of other posts about how broadly furious people are…
The r/nursing subreddit, which has over half a million visitors a week, is now displaying Alex Pretti’s work photo as its thumbnail.
The r/nursing subreddit, which has over half a million visitors a week, is now displaying Alex Pretti’s work photo as its thumbnail.
So apparently there’s a 2 out of 3 chance that my city will get 12 to 18 inches.
And a much greater chance that we’ll get over 18 than that we’ll get less than 12.
And a much greater chance that we’ll get over 18 than that we’ll get less than 12.
January 25, 2026 at 4:51 PM
So apparently there’s a 2 out of 3 chance that my city will get 12 to 18 inches.
And a much greater chance that we’ll get over 18 than that we’ll get less than 12.
And a much greater chance that we’ll get over 18 than that we’ll get less than 12.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
DHS has shot 12 people during immigration enforcement operations since September:
January 25, 2026 at 4:27 PM
DHS has shot 12 people during immigration enforcement operations since September:
Ninguém solta a mão de ninguém.
No one lets go of any one's hand.
No one lets go of any one's hand.
January 25, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Ninguém solta a mão de ninguém.
No one lets go of any one's hand.
No one lets go of any one's hand.