Ed Markowitz

Ed Markowitz

@edmarkowitz.bsky.social

Disillusioned in America but haven’t given up yet! Served our country and learned a trade while doing so. Win/win. Fell in love with a Mexican national with no papers, and ALL bets are off. Forced abroad. Exiled. To keep my family united. NOT great!!

64 followers32 following79 posts

Ed Markowitz reposted

Bruce Springsteen has literally been the soundtrack to my entire life. Let me explain. 🧵 My mom was 8 months pregnant with me when my aunt took her to the Born in the USA Tour. A few weeks later, I was born prematurely. Some say I was just too excited to see The Boss. 🎸 😉

Follow. Push! And PULL!! Let’s get relief for Americans and our families, for a CHANGE!!

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

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.

Breaking families apart or forcing abroad has been ongoing for decades. I was forced abroad 15 years ago to keep my mixed-status family together, as much as was possible. The country is not even the one we were rejected by. It’s WORSE. It’s GOT to be fixed! www.americanfamiliesunited.org

americanfamiliesunited.orgAmerican Families UnitedAmerican 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 solution...
Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

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...

The same year that this man was placed in detention for 2 years, (2013), is the year that the American Families United Act was first introduced. This legislation will provide relief for this American family and it’s imperative it get passed. NOW!! #hr2366

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

Douglas Menjivar spoke out against abuse in ICE detention - and they deported him. This story hits home for me bc Douglas is married to US citizen & AFU member Monica Logan, who was forced to navigate cancer treatments alone. Now they are both exiled in Spain. www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...

Honoring family values requires honoring the American family. This is horrendous and it has GOT to change!!

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

ABC News featured Jenni Rivera’s story of losing her and her kids losing their husband and father to self deportation today. Please watch this video and sit with the agonizing reality that our members at American Families United face right now. abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/vid...

Ed Markowitz reposted

There’s nothing that benefits the country, AT ALL, by separating Americans’ families that are not doing anything wrong! How is it that an immigrant spouse of a U.S. citizen is unable to have a path to remaining in the country, to take care of their family? It’s WRONG for the country and our values!

Austin Kocher, PhD@austinkocher.com

Live Discussion: US Citizens Separated from Spouses w/ Julie Moreno. I spoke with Julie Moreno yesterday, a U.S. citizen from New Jersey who made the gut-wrenching decision to help her husband of nine years self-deport to Mexico. austinkocher.substack.com/p/live-discu...

How many chairs will be empty at tables this coming season? Can you imagine an abuelo who will spend Thanksgiving on a cement floor? To “pay his dues” to a country that he’s helped feed for a generation? In many cases there are U.S. citizens’ spouses who are “the prey”… Who are WE?? 🪞

juliemoreno_@juliemoreno.bsky.social

“Before this administration, our greatest fear was deportation and separation. But last year, based on what we were told, it became clear that detention would be the real, most serious, and most terrifying problem,”

Ed Markowitz reposted

ICYMI: Jenni, one of AFU's beloved members, was forced to say goodbye to her best friend and husband of 17 years yesterday. This is NOT okay. The family courageously chose to share their story publicly, so please do YOUR part to share this with people in your lives. 🧵 below

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

ANOTHER FAMILY SEPARATED BY OUR IMMIGRATION SYSTEM Immigration Laws Drive North Carolina Father Out of Country, Separating Him from U.S. Citizen Wife and Two Daughters

These are the cracks in the “ICE” that americanfamiliesunited.org is ready to widen, to let common sense solutions into the discussion chamber!!

americanfamiliesunited.orgAmerican Families UnitedAmerican 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 solutions that protect citizen rights on par with immigrant rights. If you or someone you care about is a U.S. citizen who faces the specter of family separation, you need us and we need you. We bring practical solutions to Congress and support the efforts of leaders in the House and Senate as they introduce and pass legislation to help the community of constituents we represent. #AmericanFamiliesUnited #familyunification #immigrationfamilies #fix96 #familiesbelongtogether #endfamilyseparation #immigrationreform #immigrationpolicy #ImmigrationReformForFamilyUnity #HR1698 #AmericanFamiliesUnitedAct #WorthFightingFor #waiverreform #MixedStatusFamilies #PermanentBar #EndPermanentBar #10YearBar deporting spouse waiver reform immigration bars undocumented spouse illegal spouse US citizen spouse American citizen spouse bar no waiver updated 6/5/19 HR1698 H.R. 1698

Ed Markowitz reposted

Congress’s inaction and this administration’s cruelty separated this family today. Great job America. 🇺🇸

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

Jenni, Mackenzie, Fidel, and Isabella this afternoon on the way to the Raleigh-Durham airport.

We cannot leave ANY American family behind. 🙏🏼Peace🙏🏼Courage🙏🏼Strength🙏🏼 Senseless harm being done to our country’s families by forcing this!!

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

Jenni, Mackenzie, Fidel, and Isabella this afternoon on the way to the Raleigh-Durham airport.

America must look in the mirror and know who is not coming to the family Thanksgiving table this season. We’ve GOT to do better than this. It’s an atrocity!!

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

ANOTHER FAMILY SEPARATED BY OUR IMMIGRATION SYSTEM Immigration Laws Drive North Carolina Father Out of Country, Separating Him from U.S. Citizen Wife and Two Daughters

Ed Markowitz reposted

I’m tired of the President & VP referring to everything they don’t like as “radical left.” There’s no radical left w/ any power in the US, liberals & conservatives both made sure of that. People are holding the admin accountable to facts, but that’s not radical or left. That’s called “reality.”

Ed Markowitz reposted

I agree with Marjorie Taylor Greene, mass deportation is bad for our economy, bad for families, and bad for our country.

Home of the Brave@ofthebraveusa.bsky.social

Marjorie Taylor Greene: "We have to do something about labor, and that needs to be a smarter plan than just rounding up every single person and deporting them."

Ed Markowitz reposted

Replying to @afuashley.bsky.social

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE U.S Citizen Julie Moreno Returned to the United States Today, Preparing for Years of Separation from Her Husband Now in Mexico Full press release below.

Ed Markowitz reposted

I've never seen anything like this in the history of American Families United. 💔 Please read this heartbreaking story of one of our deeply loved members and leaders, Julie Moreno, who just landed back in New Jersey this afternoon from a trip to Mexico. Here's her story... 🧵 (Then please amplify.)

Tell me again why we don’t want loving and devoted families producing American greatness? What’s the deal? Forcing the absolute BEST American values abroad, to conserve…WHAT? Exactly??! Can’t help but feel déjà vu. Our family experienced similar circumstances over our entire 23 yr marriage. WHEN?

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

Julie Moreno returned from Mexico today after spending the past week helping her husband, Nef, relocate to Mexico rather than live in constant fear of arrest, prolonged detention, and forced deportation.

Ed Markowitz reposted

Replying to @afuashley.bsky.social

Julie Moreno returned from Mexico today after spending the past week helping her husband, Nef, relocate to Mexico rather than live in constant fear of arrest, prolonged detention, and forced deportation.

Traumatic arrest and detention would be shocking, to say the least. The slow-walk torture on families has been ongoing, for decades, for mixed-status families. There are hundreds of thousands of US citizen kids abroad. Having been ripped from their American roots. Our son is one of them.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick@reichlinmelnick.bsky.social

Each arrest, which may or may not lead to a deportation, will also disrupt the lives of the person, family, and friends. With millions of people in mixed-status families, there will be likely US citizens and green-card holders who see a family member picked up; which can have long-term impacts.

“…go down this hallway!…” “Umm…nope! Ima go up these stairs…!” 🤨

Austin Kocher, PhD@austinkocher.com

At its core, civil disobedience was never intended to be radical — it was always designed, in times such as these, to expose the radical violence of civil obedience and to light the way to collective refusal to participate in that violence.

When I think of ‘family values’, it’s not in my mind to think of a child brought into this world is ‘deserving’ of pain and misery at the hands of mine, nor ANY government!!

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

RESEARCH: Family separation, including the separation of children from parents in mixed-status families, is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, behavioral & emotional issues, sleep disturbances, & stress/distress in children. updates.apaservices.org/mental-healt...

Because nothing says “family values” any better than having a child who is alive, suffer in misery…😐

Austin Kocher, PhD@austinkocher.com

Family detention is back. RAICES Texas is providing legal support and advocacy for families with children as young as infants inside these jail-like conditions. Join me Tuesday at 1pm for an in-depth conversation with Faisal and Javier. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

This is the crux of the U.S. immigration problem, in that most people are unaware of how close the problem is to themselves and how their community is suffering, because of it. This changes the field from the Pandora’s box of fear; into a Cornucopia of awareness. There are stories to hear; to ACT!

Remember when “they” said they were going after the criminals. (Good! WHO wants criminals!!??) “They” were lying.

Austin Kocher, PhD@austinkocher.com

Get the data: Number of Detained Immigrants with No Criminal History Continues to Grow austinkocher.substack.com/p/number-of-...

Ed Markowitz reposted

The Women’s Refugee Commission Detention Pregnancy Tracker: A Critical Tool for Documenting the Treatment of Pregnant Women in Immigration Detention 🚨 Have you seen a pregnant woman in ICE custody? Submit a report today. austinkocher.substack.com/p/the-womens...

austinkocher.substack.comThe Women’s Refugee Commission Detention Pregnancy Tracker: A Critical Tool for Documenting the Treatment of Pregnant Women in Immigration Detention🚨 Have you seen a pregnant woman in ICE custody? Submit a report today.

Most people don’t know that a U.S. citizen marrying an undocumented immigrant can actually get the U.S. citizen a RED card…!! Wait. WHAT??!

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

Thank you @andreaflores.bsky.social for highlighting the importance of keeping couples together. Marriage ≠ green card! That's why we'll share our stories with anyone, Rep. or Dem., if it will help people understand what our members go through. Read Andrea's post here: substack.com/inbox/post/1...

Not only does marriage to a US citizen not guarantee a path to citizenship, when it doesn’t, US citizens are forced to leave the country to keep our families united. Ask me how…😐 I ask you, “Why??!” 🤨

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

Most Americans think marriage gives you a path to citizenship, but it doesn't. A recent conversation reminded me that when people learn the truth about how our immigration system *doesn't* work for families, they respond with empathy and want to help. I wanted to share this hopeful message with you.

Ed Markowitz reposted

Most Americans think marriage gives you a path to citizenship, but it doesn't. A recent conversation reminded me that when people learn the truth about how our immigration system *doesn't* work for families, they respond with empathy and want to help. I wanted to share this hopeful message with you.

Ed Markowitz reposted

They came for me, as an American spouse of an undocumented immigrant. Tossed me out into exile, years ago. Now they’re coming into your communities, and you should be concerned at whether it will stop.

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

Shocking story from one of our members, just happened today. Two men were getting lunch at Wawa, speaking Portuguese, and two ICE officers also happened to be there. Here's the story of what happened next. Watch the whole video on Instagram. www.instagram.com/reel/DPFHSh_...

The thing that concerns me is if it gets “squeaky clean” upfront, during the snatching part, we also need to recognize there are stonewalls built to hamstring congressional oversight, for what is occurring “behind the scenes”!

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick@reichlinmelnick.bsky.social

In a genuine WOW moment, this administration publicly acknowledges (perhaps for the first time) that an ICE officer violated procedure and will be taken off duty and subject to an investigation. This is a step in the right direction — I just wish it wasn't only because of such an awful viral video.

I’d reasonably guarantee there’s an American citizen’s immediate family member, snatched inside, with NO reasonable grounds to be in PRISON conditions! If the law allows such policies to be written and executed: Exhibit A; the law is BROKEN. FIX the goddamned law!!

Pablo Manríquez@pabloreports.bsky.social

Camp East Montana: An ICE Jail Kristi Noem Doesn’t Want Congress to See Rep. Veronica Escobar rips ICE Diretor Todd Lyons for stonewalling oversight at Trump’s desert mega-jail. migrantinsider.com/p/camp-east-...

There are AMERICANS’ families of complete legal status with no criminal records being stopped and questioned, because of an accent or other language use, in the presence of ICE thugs. This is insanity, and at the cusp of the MOST un-American actions that can occur!! Or is it now typically American?

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick@reichlinmelnick.bsky.social

🚨NEW: For the first time in history, the single largest group of people arrested in the interior and sent to ICE detention is people with NO criminal record. As of yesterday's data release, 40%(!) of those arrested in the interior and detained by ICE had no prior conviction or pending charges.

Ed Markowitz reposted

A powerful message of honesty and resilience for people in mixed-status families, and for all of us in these dark times.

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

An important message from Julie Moreno, AFU's NJ State Captain: "I’ve been thinking a lot about our community lately, especially after some conversations this week. I know many of you are getting attacked from multiple angles, feeling overwhelmed by everything we’re facing. 🧵

Here’s the thing. This is a system that’s beginning to appear to be laser focused, at AMERICANS, and our families. At first, 23 years ago, I guess I chalked it up to a bureaucratic nightmare that requires grit and work to repair. It IS up to congress, after all. Not an easy task!

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

An important message from Julie Moreno, AFU's NJ State Captain: "I’ve been thinking a lot about our community lately, especially after some conversations this week. I know many of you are getting attacked from multiple angles, feeling overwhelmed by everything we’re facing. 🧵

You do what you MUST, for your family! But now? There is NO acceptable basis to be stopping our immigrant spouses in our communities, who DO have legal status, and have NO grounds to be detained. No reasonable suspicion. Only an accent. Americans deserve safety for our family! Mixed-status, or NOT!!

Ed Markowitz reposted

Noem simultaneously is demanding that politicians tone down their rhetoric about ICE while also saying that anyone who believes in due process is a supporter of terrorism.

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com

NOEM: We've seen Democrats out there take extreme positions. Their support of terrorists such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua and seeing US senators go & have margaritas with them in a foreign country I think is a tragic thing to experience in the US COLLINS: Van Hollen said that was a setup by Bukele

How can the government be so capricious and demeaning than to treat US citizens and their families as “chips on a board”?! To keep this couple apart at their end is something I reject, and is not being done in MY name, as an American!!

Ashley DeAzevedo@afuashley.bsky.social

ICE arrested 49yo Duwayne Baugh in NYC yesterday. Duwayne has been in the US since he was 14. Until his arrest, he was caring for his US citizen wife, Kaiisha, who has terminal cancer. This is the harsh reality of mixed-status couples. It shouldn't be this way. www.newsweek.com/ice-detains-...

These dangers should not come as a surprise, and Ismael’s death, while tragic, is a predictable and likely avoidable feature of rapidly-expanding detention facilities like this one that have come under scrutiny for terrible conditions. See Andrew Free’s work over at #DetentionKills…”

Ed Markowitz reposted

"The Bishop Who Made ICE Melt Away" — my latest for @newrepublic.com takes a look at San Diego Bishop Michael Pham. This story is my debut byline in the iconic American news magazine's print edition, where you can read it on page 19. newrepublic.com/article/1997...

newrepublic.comThe Bishop Who Made ICE Melt AwayBishop Michael Pham launched a program in which clergy and laypeople accompany immigrants into their court hearings—not to argue the law but to bear witness.