Ashley DeAzevedo
@afuashley.bsky.social
Executive Director of AmericanFamiliesUnited.org. Jersey girl. Blessed mom and devoted wife. Proud Catholic. ✝️ Small business owner. Believer in the sacred bond of family and the power of everyday Americans to create extraordinary change. 🇺🇸
Pinned
Ashley DeAzevedo
@afuashley.bsky.social
· Sep 17
Hi, Bluesky! My name is Ashley DeAzevedo & I'm the Director of American Families United.
This is my first post 🎉 and I’m excited to connect with everyone here.
I'm from New Jersey. I'm a mom, wife, proud Catholic, small business owner, and I haven't given up hope in the promise of America.
This is my first post 🎉 and I’m excited to connect with everyone here.
I'm from New Jersey. I'm a mom, wife, proud Catholic, small business owner, and I haven't given up hope in the promise of America.
AFU Action advocates for meaningful, bipartisan policy change that will benefit US citizens who are married to immigrants. We are in Washington, DC, this week to meet with elected representatives in Congress. Follow along this week for live updates.
February 2, 2026 at 6:17 PM
AFU Action advocates for meaningful, bipartisan policy change that will benefit US citizens who are married to immigrants. We are in Washington, DC, this week to meet with elected representatives in Congress. Follow along this week for live updates.
For years, citizens in mixed-status marriages have struggled to break through the noise to let people know that we, too, are harmed by immigration policies. We are finally seeing growing awareness! Thank you, @caitlindickerson.bsky.social @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/o...
January 23, 2026 at 8:37 PM
For years, citizens in mixed-status marriages have struggled to break through the noise to let people know that we, too, are harmed by immigration policies. We are finally seeing growing awareness! Thank you, @caitlindickerson.bsky.social @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/o...
AFU’s report on mixed-status couples was featured in reporting by Patricia Serrano at Enlace Latino Inc.
"US immigration policy is separating families of American citizens, report reveals"
enlacelatinonc.org/en/US-immigr...
"US immigration policy is separating families of American citizens, report reveals"
enlacelatinonc.org/en/US-immigr...
US immigration policy is separating families of American citizens, report reveals
News in Spanish about politics, immigration and community issues for Latinos in North Carolina.
enlacelatinonc.org
January 21, 2026 at 4:42 PM
AFU’s report on mixed-status couples was featured in reporting by Patricia Serrano at Enlace Latino Inc.
"US immigration policy is separating families of American citizens, report reveals"
enlacelatinonc.org/en/US-immigr...
"US immigration policy is separating families of American citizens, report reveals"
enlacelatinonc.org/en/US-immigr...
🚨 ACTION ALERT: Congress is negotiating the FY2026 Homeland Security bill RIGHT NOW.
ICE got $45B this year, and now they want BILLIONS more for detention beds.
Use the link below to contact your Reps & Senators today and say: "No more money for immigration detention!"
afuaction.org#/29
ICE got $45B this year, and now they want BILLIONS more for detention beds.
Use the link below to contact your Reps & Senators today and say: "No more money for immigration detention!"
afuaction.org#/29
January 13, 2026 at 4:24 PM
🚨 ACTION ALERT: Congress is negotiating the FY2026 Homeland Security bill RIGHT NOW.
ICE got $45B this year, and now they want BILLIONS more for detention beds.
Use the link below to contact your Reps & Senators today and say: "No more money for immigration detention!"
afuaction.org#/29
ICE got $45B this year, and now they want BILLIONS more for detention beds.
Use the link below to contact your Reps & Senators today and say: "No more money for immigration detention!"
afuaction.org#/29
The past few days have been a scary time for families across the country. AFU's leadership pulled together updated Know Your Rights resources to make sure you have the best information to keep you and your family safe. 🧵
January 13, 2026 at 3:32 PM
The past few days have been a scary time for families across the country. AFU's leadership pulled together updated Know Your Rights resources to make sure you have the best information to keep you and your family safe. 🧵
In 2025, AFU evolved from a grassroots movement into a powerful legislative force. With 200+ congressional meetings and record bipartisan support for the AFU Act, we’ve proven that our strength lies in community resilience and refusing to quit.
See my wrap-up here: www.instagram.com/p/DS5dAZLDl-...
See my wrap-up here: www.instagram.com/p/DS5dAZLDl-...
December 30, 2025 at 6:32 PM
In 2025, AFU evolved from a grassroots movement into a powerful legislative force. With 200+ congressional meetings and record bipartisan support for the AFU Act, we’ve proven that our strength lies in community resilience and refusing to quit.
See my wrap-up here: www.instagram.com/p/DS5dAZLDl-...
See my wrap-up here: www.instagram.com/p/DS5dAZLDl-...
Rep Salazar issued a press release today featuring American Families United's new study of mixed-status families. Get the entire report at americanfamliesunited.org and follow me here for updates about how our immigration system is hurting US citizens and what AFU is doing about it.
December 23, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Rep Salazar issued a press release today featuring American Families United's new study of mixed-status families. Get the entire report at americanfamliesunited.org and follow me here for updates about how our immigration system is hurting US citizens and what AFU is doing about it.
AFU member and leader Jenni Rivera spoke to ABC11 in Raleigh this week about what it's like to go through the holidays without Fidel. Please remember that many American families are missing a family member this holiday season.
abc11.com/post/family-...
abc11.com/post/family-...
Family of Rolesville man who self-deported braces for 'different' Christmas
With the holidays here, his family in Wake County says they're hoping their story can create change -- and they're leaning on each other that much more.
abc11.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
AFU member and leader Jenni Rivera spoke to ABC11 in Raleigh this week about what it's like to go through the holidays without Fidel. Please remember that many American families are missing a family member this holiday season.
abc11.com/post/family-...
abc11.com/post/family-...
This is my friend Julie. She spent Thanksgiving without her husband because our immigration system forced their family apart. She did everything right; and still lost her spouse to a broken law.
I’m proud of her for telling this story.
thehill.com/opinion/immi...
I’m proud of her for telling this story.
thehill.com/opinion/immi...
Holidays without my husband: What US immigration policy costs families
I am furious at what my country has done to me by taking away the one person who has been my safety net.
thehill.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
This is my friend Julie. She spent Thanksgiving without her husband because our immigration system forced their family apart. She did everything right; and still lost her spouse to a broken law.
I’m proud of her for telling this story.
thehill.com/opinion/immi...
I’m proud of her for telling this story.
thehill.com/opinion/immi...
This Radio Atlantic episode follows a Chicago couple—she’s a U.S. citizen, he’s undocumented—forced to decide whether to stay in the only home they’ve known or leave the country to stay together.
Listen to it : podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/r...
Listen to it : podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/r...
He's Undocumented. She's Not.
Podcast Episode · Radio Atlantic · 11/12/2025 · 39m
podcasts.apple.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:14 PM
This Radio Atlantic episode follows a Chicago couple—she’s a U.S. citizen, he’s undocumented—forced to decide whether to stay in the only home they’ve known or leave the country to stay together.
Listen to it : podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/r...
Listen to it : podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/r...
Marrying a U.S. citizen does not “fix” immigration status. AFU’s new report shows long-term marriages (13+ yrs), deep community ties, and rising fear: since Jan 2025, 81% have discussed leaving the U.S. Emotional hardship affects 97.5%.
Read the full report here: www.americanfamiliesunited.org
Read the full report here: www.americanfamiliesunited.org
American Families United
American Families United is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization representing U.S. citizens and their spouses and children, the highest priority for legal immigration, in advancing immigration…
www.americanfamiliesunited.org
December 16, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Marrying a U.S. citizen does not “fix” immigration status. AFU’s new report shows long-term marriages (13+ yrs), deep community ties, and rising fear: since Jan 2025, 81% have discussed leaving the U.S. Emotional hardship affects 97.5%.
Read the full report here: www.americanfamiliesunited.org
Read the full report here: www.americanfamiliesunited.org
If you’re reading this and thinking “that could be us,” you’re not being dramatic, you’re being realistic. American marriages shouldn’t come with a deportation roulette wheel. We need a real, legal pathway for spouses.
thetandd.com/news/nation-...
thetandd.com/news/nation-...
Immigration Family Separation - Yaoska
The two-year-old son of pregnant, asylum-seeker Yaoska hunts for a snack in the mini fridge of the Miami-area motel room where he lives with his mother and brother, after their
thetandd.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:54 AM
If you’re reading this and thinking “that could be us,” you’re not being dramatic, you’re being realistic. American marriages shouldn’t come with a deportation roulette wheel. We need a real, legal pathway for spouses.
thetandd.com/news/nation-...
thetandd.com/news/nation-...
A U.S. citizen wife says her husband had a valid federal work permit, yet he was detained at the Sarita checkpoint and deported the next day. That’s not “law and order.” That’s chaos tearing apart American marriages.
www.sbnewspaper.com/2025/12/12/s...
www.sbnewspaper.com/2025/12/12/s...
Spouse questions deportation
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the NEWS A Valley family is pleading for answers after a local man with a purported valid work permit, according to his wife, was detained at the Sarita checkpoint an…
www.sbnewspaper.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:48 AM
A U.S. citizen wife says her husband had a valid federal work permit, yet he was detained at the Sarita checkpoint and deported the next day. That’s not “law and order.” That’s chaos tearing apart American marriages.
www.sbnewspaper.com/2025/12/12/s...
www.sbnewspaper.com/2025/12/12/s...
This afternoon, we hosted a webinar to give the public a first look at the results of our nationwide survey of mixed-status couples. What we found confirms the uncertainty, fear, and hardship that our members endure every single day. Here are some of our initial findings w/ full report out soon.
December 11, 2025 at 9:09 PM
This afternoon, we hosted a webinar to give the public a first look at the results of our nationwide survey of mixed-status couples. What we found confirms the uncertainty, fear, and hardship that our members endure every single day. Here are some of our initial findings w/ full report out soon.
“He doesn’t have a criminal record and he’s married to an American citizen. He’s got a lawful entry,” his attorney said.
Read: www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Read: www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
A Utah soccer coach was ‘following exactly’ process to get legal status — but ICE arrested him anyway
A 29-year-old Utah father and soccer coach was arrested at what should have been his final interview before being granted permanent residency, his attorney said.
www.sltrib.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:02 AM
“He doesn’t have a criminal record and he’s married to an American citizen. He’s got a lawful entry,” his attorney said.
Read: www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Read: www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Ashley DeAzevedo
Event Announcement: "We Would Crumble Without Him": A First Look at New Survey Data on Mixed-Status Couples from American Families United. (Thursday, Dec 11, 1pm, registration required.)
austinkocher.substack.com/p/event-anno...
austinkocher.substack.com/p/event-anno...
Event Announcement: "We Would Crumble Without Him": A First Look at New Survey Data on Mixed-Status Couples from American Families United
To be the first to see new data on mixed-status couples, join Ashley DeAzevedo, ED of AFU, and myself this Thursday, December 11 at 1:00 PM for a virtual presentation. Registration required.
austinkocher.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Event Announcement: "We Would Crumble Without Him": A First Look at New Survey Data on Mixed-Status Couples from American Families United. (Thursday, Dec 11, 1pm, registration required.)
austinkocher.substack.com/p/event-anno...
austinkocher.substack.com/p/event-anno...
ICE has been arresting foreign-born spouses of U.S. citizens who are complying with the law and trying to obtain permanent residency.
Read: www.concordmonitor.com/2025/12/08/m...
Read: www.concordmonitor.com/2025/12/08/m...
Opinion: ICE cruelty is off the charts - Concord Monitor
ICE's persecution of innocent foreign-born spouses of US citizens, including lawful residents, is a cruel and inhumane policy.
www.concordmonitor.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
ICE has been arresting foreign-born spouses of U.S. citizens who are complying with the law and trying to obtain permanent residency.
Read: www.concordmonitor.com/2025/12/08/m...
Read: www.concordmonitor.com/2025/12/08/m...
New Data Reveals Mounting Crisis and Growing Hardship for U.S. Citizens Married to Immigrants
Join AFU for a first look at this data and meet Amanda, whose personal story illustrates the harsh realities of family separation. Reporters are welcome.
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join AFU for a first look at this data and meet Amanda, whose personal story illustrates the harsh realities of family separation. Reporters are welcome.
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
December 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
New Data Reveals Mounting Crisis and Growing Hardship for U.S. Citizens Married to Immigrants
Join AFU for a first look at this data and meet Amanda, whose personal story illustrates the harsh realities of family separation. Reporters are welcome.
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join AFU for a first look at this data and meet Amanda, whose personal story illustrates the harsh realities of family separation. Reporters are welcome.
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
US citizens married to immigrants face family separation even when they are trying to do things the right way. New reporting from Miriam Jordan at The New York Times finds that spouses of citizens are being arrested at their final green card interviews.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
US citizens married to immigrants face family separation even when they are trying to do things the right way. New reporting from Miriam Jordan at The New York Times finds that spouses of citizens are being arrested at their final green card interviews.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
A husband walked into his asylum interview in Houston looking for safety and ICE dragged him out on the spot. No criminal record. Married to a U.S. citizen. Doing everything by the book.
This is becoming routine, and mixed status families are scared.
Read: www.khou.com/article/news...
This is becoming routine, and mixed status families are scared.
Read: www.khou.com/article/news...
'It was a trap': ICE arrests Houston man at asylum interview despite no criminal history
During routine interview, ICE swooped in, even though he has no criminal record and is married to a U.S. citizen. Advocates say it's part of a troubling trend.
www.khou.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:45 AM
A husband walked into his asylum interview in Houston looking for safety and ICE dragged him out on the spot. No criminal record. Married to a U.S. citizen. Doing everything by the book.
This is becoming routine, and mixed status families are scared.
Read: www.khou.com/article/news...
This is becoming routine, and mixed status families are scared.
Read: www.khou.com/article/news...
How far would you go to protect your family?
1.4 million U.S. citizens in mixed-status marriages are living with the fear of family separation right now. Your donation to AFU helps our growing team support these families.
Family is everything. Help us protect it.
americanfamiliesunited.org/DONATE
1.4 million U.S. citizens in mixed-status marriages are living with the fear of family separation right now. Your donation to AFU helps our growing team support these families.
Family is everything. Help us protect it.
americanfamiliesunited.org/DONATE
December 2, 2025 at 12:12 PM
How far would you go to protect your family?
1.4 million U.S. citizens in mixed-status marriages are living with the fear of family separation right now. Your donation to AFU helps our growing team support these families.
Family is everything. Help us protect it.
americanfamiliesunited.org/DONATE
1.4 million U.S. citizens in mixed-status marriages are living with the fear of family separation right now. Your donation to AFU helps our growing team support these families.
Family is everything. Help us protect it.
americanfamiliesunited.org/DONATE
Self-deportation isn’t a choice. It’s a family pushed into an impossible corner. A NC father just left behind his U.S. citizen wife and teen daughters after 30 years here. Congress, fix the laws tearing our families apart.
Read: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...
Read: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...
www.newsobserver.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Self-deportation isn’t a choice. It’s a family pushed into an impossible corner. A NC father just left behind his U.S. citizen wife and teen daughters after 30 years here. Congress, fix the laws tearing our families apart.
Read: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...
Read: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...
He exposed sexual assault in ICE detention and ICE deported him anyway, even though he was married to a U.S. citizen. This is exactly why we need the American Families United Act. Protect families. Protect truth-tellers.
Read: www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
Read: www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
Trump's ICE Arrested a Whistleblower Who Exposed Sexual Assault in Detention. Now, He’s Left the Country.
Douglas Menjivar is a survivor and activist. He’s also married to a U.S. citizen, but he was caught up in the president’s mass deportation agenda anyway.
www.texasobserver.org
December 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM
He exposed sexual assault in ICE detention and ICE deported him anyway, even though he was married to a U.S. citizen. This is exactly why we need the American Families United Act. Protect families. Protect truth-tellers.
Read: www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
Read: www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
Self-deportation is tearing apart American households. Wives left behind. Kids confused and grieving. Families gutted by fear. Congress, how much more are you willing to ignore?
Read more: wearethemeteor.com/self-deporta...
Read more: wearethemeteor.com/self-deporta...
"We're Being Robbed of Time"
The Department of Homeland Security claims 1.6 million people have "self-deported" from the U.S. But what happens to the families left behind?
wearethemeteor.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Self-deportation is tearing apart American households. Wives left behind. Kids confused and grieving. Families gutted by fear. Congress, how much more are you willing to ignore?
Read more: wearethemeteor.com/self-deporta...
Read more: wearethemeteor.com/self-deporta...
This Christian family is doing what our leaders won’t: watching ICE and defending their neighbors from harm. Families shouldn’t have to stand guard like this.
Read: religionnews.com/2025/11/25/h...
Read: religionnews.com/2025/11/25/h...
How one conservative Christian family is pushing back against ICE
A coalition of activists, everyday citizens and people of faith — including theologically conservative Christians — who have pooled resources and learned new technologies to mount an effort they say…
religionnews.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:33 PM
This Christian family is doing what our leaders won’t: watching ICE and defending their neighbors from harm. Families shouldn’t have to stand guard like this.
Read: religionnews.com/2025/11/25/h...
Read: religionnews.com/2025/11/25/h...