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.
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
“Many of the women say that they were pressured to have unwanted or unnecessary gynecological procedures while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement”
"They tried to shut me up by deporting me."
www.npr.org/2020/12/22/9...
www.npr.org/2020/12/22/9...
Dozens Of Women Allege Unwanted Surgeries And Medical Abuse In ICE Custody
More women are coming forward to say they were pressured to have reproductive surgeries they did not want or understand, offering a glimpse into alleged medical abuses at an ICE detention center.
www.npr.org
November 15, 2025 at 3:11 AM
“Many of the women say that they were pressured to have unwanted or unnecessary gynecological procedures while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement”
Mass deportations hurt families
"Deportation has taken away the father I once knew and given me back a person I no longer recognize." Vanessa Lopez, audience engagement specialist at the Chicago Sun-Times writes:
He worked hard to give me a home. ICE took his: How I lost my father to deportation
chicago.suntimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Mass deportations hurt families
Watching SNL on Sunday night, as one does, and the Weekend Update writers should have read this!
A man collapsed in the Oval Office yesterday. The internet got the story wrong.
My experience struggling to correct the record — including on Bluesky! — and the warning signs as AI, aggregation, and social media increasingly drive our news consumption.
My experience struggling to correct the record — including on Bluesky! — and the warning signs as AI, aggregation, and social media increasingly drive our news consumption.
A man collapsed in the Oval Office. The internet got the story wrong.
A case study in how bad information can spread — and how hard it is to correct it.
dandiamond.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Watching SNL on Sunday night, as one does, and the Weekend Update writers should have read this!
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
This is the result of Trump’s reconciliation bill, which made refugees and asylees ineligible for federal benefits until after getting their green cards.
That said; I don’t think there are many Ukrainians who came through the refugee program. Some asylees, yes.
That said; I don’t think there are many Ukrainians who came through the refugee program. Some asylees, yes.
As millions face the first lapse in SNAP benefits in U.S. history, one group has been frozen out entirely: Ukrainian war refugees.
All Rise News viewed some of the letters refugees received before the suspension with little public attention.
Full story www.allrisenews.com/p/ukrainian-...
All Rise News viewed some of the letters refugees received before the suspension with little public attention.
Full story www.allrisenews.com/p/ukrainian-...
November 9, 2025 at 5:49 PM
This is the result of Trump’s reconciliation bill, which made refugees and asylees ineligible for federal benefits until after getting their green cards.
That said; I don’t think there are many Ukrainians who came through the refugee program. Some asylees, yes.
That said; I don’t think there are many Ukrainians who came through the refugee program. Some asylees, yes.
Mass deportations and ICE chaos are forcing children into working or taking care of siblings instead of going to school blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/a...
Attendance Drops At Chicago Schools In Communities With Increased Immigration Enforcement
In the four weeks since the start of Operation Midway Blitz, attendance at one school with a large immigrant population dropped by 4 percentage points — nearly three times the attendance drop citywide...
blockclubchicago.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Mass deportations and ICE chaos are forcing children into working or taking care of siblings instead of going to school blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/a...
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
November 5, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
How many kids first experience of the state will be of masked men grabbing people?
Raids inside day cares had been off limits until this year, when, on his first day in office, President Donald Trump removed that protection.
The arrest reportedly took place in front of children.
19thnews.org/2025/11/chil...
The arrest reportedly took place in front of children.
19thnews.org/2025/11/chil...
‘I have papers’: Child care worker detained by ICE officers inside a Chicago day care
Raids inside day cares had been off limits until this year, when, on his first day in office, President Donald Trump removed that protection.
19thnews.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:35 PM
How many kids first experience of the state will be of masked men grabbing people?
If you can't read what you're being asking to sign, it should never be considered you agreeing to it. And being lied to by your interpreter might be worse.
Language access should be a civil right but so often is not treated that way.
Language access should be a civil right but so often is not treated that way.
The declarations keep coming back to the ways in which the awful conditions themselves were used to coerce deportations.
Here, one lawyer describes how his client, who had a work permit, US citizen children, and a strong case for relief, was coerced into giving up his case.
Here, one lawyer describes how his client, who had a work permit, US citizen children, and a strong case for relief, was coerced into giving up his case.
November 4, 2025 at 10:42 PM
If you can't read what you're being asking to sign, it should never be considered you agreeing to it. And being lied to by your interpreter might be worse.
Language access should be a civil right but so often is not treated that way.
Language access should be a civil right but so often is not treated that way.
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
There is also universal agreement that medical care in the facility is terrible, and that people were not being provided access to care they needed.
This excerpt expresses a common theme; people who asked for help were largely ignored or given little treatment.
This excerpt expresses a common theme; people who asked for help were largely ignored or given little treatment.
November 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
There is also universal agreement that medical care in the facility is terrible, and that people were not being provided access to care they needed.
This excerpt expresses a common theme; people who asked for help were largely ignored or given little treatment.
This excerpt expresses a common theme; people who asked for help were largely ignored or given little treatment.
30 years ago Congress screwed up anti-poverty programs, deemed "welfare reform," justified by false stereotypes of black women and immigrants.
With the AI SNAP videos and the White House's lies about their budget bill, it seems like the worst of politics hasn't changed much
With the AI SNAP videos and the White House's lies about their budget bill, it seems like the worst of politics hasn't changed much
November 1, 2025 at 7:52 PM
30 years ago Congress screwed up anti-poverty programs, deemed "welfare reform," justified by false stereotypes of black women and immigrants.
With the AI SNAP videos and the White House's lies about their budget bill, it seems like the worst of politics hasn't changed much
With the AI SNAP videos and the White House's lies about their budget bill, it seems like the worst of politics hasn't changed much
Day 1 of ACA open enrollment!
✔️It's great that people have access to ACA coverage!
✔️It's bad that millions of families have higher premiums because Congress is failing its job
✔️It's bad that 100ks of immigrant families now can't get help at all
Everyone should shop for their best options anyway
✔️It's great that people have access to ACA coverage!
✔️It's bad that millions of families have higher premiums because Congress is failing its job
✔️It's bad that 100ks of immigrant families now can't get help at all
Everyone should shop for their best options anyway
November 1, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Day 1 of ACA open enrollment!
✔️It's great that people have access to ACA coverage!
✔️It's bad that millions of families have higher premiums because Congress is failing its job
✔️It's bad that 100ks of immigrant families now can't get help at all
Everyone should shop for their best options anyway
✔️It's great that people have access to ACA coverage!
✔️It's bad that millions of families have higher premiums because Congress is failing its job
✔️It's bad that 100ks of immigrant families now can't get help at all
Everyone should shop for their best options anyway
Immigrants are being used to advance authoritarian actions. Case in point, false claims about voting noncitizens will be used to block people from being able to vote propublica.org/article/dhs-...
DHS Agreement Reveals Risks of Using Social Security Data for Voter Citizenship Checks
A recently released agreement gives the Department of Homeland Security access to hundreds of millions of Americans’ Social Security data. It contains alarmingly few provisions to ensure accuracy and ...
propublica.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Immigrants are being used to advance authoritarian actions. Case in point, false claims about voting noncitizens will be used to block people from being able to vote propublica.org/article/dhs-...
Here's another scenario:
Two parents: both 35 years old
Two kids: 3 year old twins
All are green card holders who moved to the U.S. four years ago, thus ineligible for Medicaid
Income: $30k
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Plan: Oscar Silver Classic Standard
2025 Monthly Premium: $0
2026 Premium: $1,446.47
Two parents: both 35 years old
Two kids: 3 year old twins
All are green card holders who moved to the U.S. four years ago, thus ineligible for Medicaid
Income: $30k
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Plan: Oscar Silver Classic Standard
2025 Monthly Premium: $0
2026 Premium: $1,446.47
📣 GOOD NEWS: HealthCare.Gov window shopping is LIVE!
BAD NEWS: HealthCare.Gov window shopping is live.
acasignups.net/25/10/29/goo...
BAD NEWS: HealthCare.Gov window shopping is live.
acasignups.net/25/10/29/goo...
Good News: HealthCare.Gov Window Shopping is LIVE! Bad News: HealthCare.Gov Window Shopping is live.
On Monday I noted that around 20 state-based ACA exchange websites had launched 2026 Open Enrollment "window shopping," which allows residents to plug in their household information (zip code, ages, i...
acasignups.net
October 29, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Here's another scenario:
Two parents: both 35 years old
Two kids: 3 year old twins
All are green card holders who moved to the U.S. four years ago, thus ineligible for Medicaid
Income: $30k
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Plan: Oscar Silver Classic Standard
2025 Monthly Premium: $0
2026 Premium: $1,446.47
Two parents: both 35 years old
Two kids: 3 year old twins
All are green card holders who moved to the U.S. four years ago, thus ineligible for Medicaid
Income: $30k
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Plan: Oscar Silver Classic Standard
2025 Monthly Premium: $0
2026 Premium: $1,446.47
That's 1/6 the cost of the DHS's slush fund for private prisons and unqualified ICE agents
It would cost $24 billion to extend the Affordable Care Act’s health care subsidies that help Americans pay for health insurance for the next year.
Instead, Donald Trump is bending backwards to give $20 billion in taxpayer money to Argentina.
Make it make sense.
Instead, Donald Trump is bending backwards to give $20 billion in taxpayer money to Argentina.
Make it make sense.
October 28, 2025 at 9:16 PM
That's 1/6 the cost of the DHS's slush fund for private prisons and unqualified ICE agents
The bill slashed Medicaid and SNAP to create a slush fund for ICE and tax cuts for the rich. So, sounds about right.
Trump: "I said, 'put it all into one bill and if we get it done, we're done for four years.' We don't need anything more from Congress."
October 28, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The bill slashed Medicaid and SNAP to create a slush fund for ICE and tax cuts for the rich. So, sounds about right.
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
ICE has now sent at least 72 people to prisons in African countries where they have no ties.
Via two ICE flights to Rwanda, two to Eswatini, three to Ghana and one to S. Sudan.
Some had US convictions but had finished their sentences. None have convictions in the places where they're now jailed.
Via two ICE flights to Rwanda, two to Eswatini, three to Ghana and one to S. Sudan.
Some had US convictions but had finished their sentences. None have convictions in the places where they're now jailed.
October 28, 2025 at 7:28 PM
ICE has now sent at least 72 people to prisons in African countries where they have no ties.
Via two ICE flights to Rwanda, two to Eswatini, three to Ghana and one to S. Sudan.
Some had US convictions but had finished their sentences. None have convictions in the places where they're now jailed.
Via two ICE flights to Rwanda, two to Eswatini, three to Ghana and one to S. Sudan.
Some had US convictions but had finished their sentences. None have convictions in the places where they're now jailed.
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
Detaining a father working to support his young daughter with cancer does not make our city safer. It only adds to the heartache and pain this family is already going through.
The Trump Administration’s cruelty knows no bounds, and it should have no place in Chicago.
The Trump Administration’s cruelty knows no bounds, and it should have no place in Chicago.
A Chicago dad of a teen who is battling cancer has been illegally detained by ICE, a judge ruled: blockclubchi.co/4nn4lek
October 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Detaining a father working to support his young daughter with cancer does not make our city safer. It only adds to the heartache and pain this family is already going through.
The Trump Administration’s cruelty knows no bounds, and it should have no place in Chicago.
The Trump Administration’s cruelty knows no bounds, and it should have no place in Chicago.
It took 3 and a half years for the Biden administration to expand DACA recipients' (who are very popular) eligibility for the ACA (which is very popular)
Meanwhile the Trump admin stripped it in 4 months.
Meanwhile the Trump admin stripped it in 4 months.
Read this @gregsargent.bsky.social piece on a super important @rooseveltinstitute.org report coming out today, which draws key lessons from the Biden experience for how our side can do better the next time we have the reins of power.
newrepublic.com/article/2023...
newrepublic.com/article/2023...
Why Is Trump Autocracy Rising? These Dems Have an Unnerving Answer.
A new Biden administration autopsy, based on internal assessments from many government insiders, has crystal clear lessons for the future.
newrepublic.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:19 AM
It took 3 and a half years for the Biden administration to expand DACA recipients' (who are very popular) eligibility for the ACA (which is very popular)
Meanwhile the Trump admin stripped it in 4 months.
Meanwhile the Trump admin stripped it in 4 months.
Reposted by Ben D’Avanzo
When people glorify ‘Tough On Crime’ they are just saying that they are gleefully punitive & nothing more.
Being tough on crime isn’t the same as addressing crime. We know that the largest predictor for reducing crime is addressing need.
Reducing benefits increases crime, endangering everyone.
Being tough on crime isn’t the same as addressing crime. We know that the largest predictor for reducing crime is addressing need.
Reducing benefits increases crime, endangering everyone.
With millions at risk of losing SNAP in the coming days, a reminder: hunger doesn't happen in isolation. When food assistance disappears, families use rent money to eat. Then come evictions and homelessness.
Housing, food, healthcare—it's all connected. Cut one thread and the whole thing unravels.
Housing, food, healthcare—it's all connected. Cut one thread and the whole thing unravels.
October 25, 2025 at 11:02 AM
When people glorify ‘Tough On Crime’ they are just saying that they are gleefully punitive & nothing more.
Being tough on crime isn’t the same as addressing crime. We know that the largest predictor for reducing crime is addressing need.
Reducing benefits increases crime, endangering everyone.
Being tough on crime isn’t the same as addressing crime. We know that the largest predictor for reducing crime is addressing need.
Reducing benefits increases crime, endangering everyone.
Starting on November 1st, lawfully residing immigrants, including many future citizens with green cards, are going to learn they're losing eligibility for affordable ACA health insurance.
Why? They're too poor, can't get Medicaid, and Congress said so
www.nilc.org/articles/300...
Why? They're too poor, can't get Medicaid, and Congress said so
www.nilc.org/articles/300...
300,000 Lawfully Present Immigrants Will Be Newly Ineligible for Health Care Help in This Open Enrollment Period
The 2025 reconciliation law enacted this summer imposed new restrictions on access to health coverage for lawfully present immigrants. Among the first of these restrictions will take effect during the...
www.nilc.org
October 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Starting on November 1st, lawfully residing immigrants, including many future citizens with green cards, are going to learn they're losing eligibility for affordable ACA health insurance.
Why? They're too poor, can't get Medicaid, and Congress said so
www.nilc.org/articles/300...
Why? They're too poor, can't get Medicaid, and Congress said so
www.nilc.org/articles/300...
Worries about the U.S. military invading your city? Check out our new FAQ (what a sad thing to have to type) www.nilc.org/resources/fr...
Frequently Asked Questions: Military Deployments and Federal “Occupations” of American Cities
This resource addresses common questions about how the President has used the military in cities across the United States.
www.nilc.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Worries about the U.S. military invading your city? Check out our new FAQ (what a sad thing to have to type) www.nilc.org/resources/fr...
Another day, another article finding that GOP assertions around repealing HR1 and health care for immigrants is false
Here’s who pays when undocumented immigrants get health care in America
Republicans have attacked Democratic health care demands in the shutdown debate as funding medical care for undocumented immigrants. The reality is more complicated.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Another day, another article finding that GOP assertions around repealing HR1 and health care for immigrants is false
This official government immigration enforcement social media account posted a song with lyrics including "jew me" and "kike me."
My ancestors fled Nazi Germany to the U.S. for this??
My ancestors fled Nazi Germany to the U.S. for this??
One commenter replied, “based song choice,” which was liked by the Border Patrol account. Another commenter wrote, “if you know you know.”
Border Patrol Posts Instagram Propaganda Video Featuring Antisemitic Slurs
The video was pinned to Border Patrol's Instagram Reels.
gizmodo.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:36 PM
This official government immigration enforcement social media account posted a song with lyrics including "jew me" and "kike me."
My ancestors fled Nazi Germany to the U.S. for this??
My ancestors fled Nazi Germany to the U.S. for this??
Another example of the government's at-any-cost approach to immigration enforcement: impeding and threatening to shoot an ambulance driver
In Portland, an ambulance was summoned to the ICE office to treat an injured protester (not clear how he was injured). But when the patient was loaded inside, ICE officers refused to let the ambulance leave and threatened to shoot the ambulance driver: www.wweek.com/news/2025/10...
Documents Allege a Federal Agent at Portland ICE Threatened to Shoot an Ambulance Driver
Feds delayed medics who had come to pick up an injured protester. Then, according to confidential incident reports, the agents became aggressive.
www.wweek.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Another example of the government's at-any-cost approach to immigration enforcement: impeding and threatening to shoot an ambulance driver
The film "NO" about the plebiscite that took down Pinochet has definitely influenced my advocacy. The lesson was, if you seem fun and upbeat, even in very serious times, the public is much more likely to stand with you.
These folks are doing it right!
These folks are doing it right!
Chicago not letting Portland have all the fun 🐧
October 13, 2025 at 12:18 AM
The film "NO" about the plebiscite that took down Pinochet has definitely influenced my advocacy. The lesson was, if you seem fun and upbeat, even in very serious times, the public is much more likely to stand with you.
These folks are doing it right!
These folks are doing it right!