Jason Czerwiec

Politics are personal | All things Baltic and Wizards Basketball | International Law Nerd | RTs not necessarily endorsements

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@TheCinesthetic The beach story in Persona

[derek guy @dieworkwear]

I debated whether to share my story on here, but I guess I will.

I think there's an idea out there that millions of violent criminals are pouring across the border, carrying machetes and drugs, looking to harm Americans. Certainly, while some people fall into that category, the vast majority of undocumented immigrants don't.

My family escaped Vietnam after the Tet Offensive and went through an arduous journey that eventually landed them in the Canada. My father worked there for a time as a janitor; my mother, a secretary. When work fell through, my dad was offered to work with his sister in the United States, so he went, as our family needed money. He ended up staying in the US longer than he was supposed to — not knowing immigration laws — and asked my mom to come be with him. Of course, she went and carried me over the border while I was still a baby.

I'm still unsure whether we technically broke an immigration law. The border between Canada and the United States was pretty porous (as it is today, for the most part). But either way, since I came here without legal documentation, I eventually fell into the category of being an undocumented immigrant. Yet, I've been in the United States since I was a baby. My identity and roots are very much based in this country, no different from anyone else.

The lack of legal immigration has totally shaped my life. It has made every interaction with the law much scarier. It has shaped which opportunities I could or could not get. It has taken an emotional toll, as this legal issue hangs over your head like a black cloud.

There are millions of people in my situation — people who were brought here as children, some babies, and were unable to raise their hand during this process and say "maybe we should hire a lawyer." Parents may have crossed the border not knowing about the law, as the law can be pretty confusing and lawyers are expensive. Perhaps, in the end, they should have hired a lawyer; but sometimes life is messy. In the end, they crossed for the same reason many people rise every day: to support their families.

I think it's unreasonable to deport millions of people who have contributed positively to society. It's simply not true that the majority of these people are violent criminals carrying drugs. Many own small businesses; many work as skilled laborers (including garment workers!). The vast majority are good, honest people. For those of us who grew up in the United States, sending us "back" to our "home" country would mean sending someone to a foreign land, as they grew up in the United States. Tearing families apart based on immigration status seems inhumane.

About twenty years ago, I watched with some small measure of hope that the Dream ACT would pass and help a portion of undocumented immigrants. I saw people march angrily in the streets (something I supported). But I was dismayed to see nothing really come about. In fact, when Obama passed DACA, I was skeptical that it would be sensible to give your information to the federal government without a guaranteed path to citizenship. It seems that the Trump administration may use those lists to hunt down immigrants.

I think the ICE sweeps are inhumane. I support and admire the protestors who are putting their bodies on the line for non-violent resistance. Ultimately, I think we need to solve this issue on a systemic level. It's unreasonable to me to expect that the government will deport some 10-20 million people. Even deporting 1 million will cause an insane amount of chaos, not to mention an incredible amount of wasteful government spending. The militarization of law enforcement is over the top and only escalate the situation.

I have seen people march on this issue, only for it to be dropped later and dissolve into quiet grumbles. In the end, nothing is done for immigrants. Time passes until decades later, we have another political crisis like the one we have today. This cycle seems unsustainable. I hope people sustain this energy to solve the immigration issue and put undocumented immigrants — most who are peaceful, skilled, and hard-working citizens — on a path to citizenship. As time continues to go by, many undocumented immigrants are seeing their lives wasted away.

If you care about this issue, I hope you get involved on the long haul: volunteer for pro-immigrant groups, donate to mutual aid, and perhaps pursue career paths that help people in this situation. I was moved to read someone on here say that, when they found their employee was undocumented, they helped them get a green card. The path was difficult, as our immigration system is broken (it took them 11 years). But I can tell you that this is like pulling someone drowning in raging waters.

Ultimately, I hope me sharing this story helps push back against the idea that all undocumented immigrants are MS-13 members. I know many people in my position and they are all like your neighbors.

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@WizardsMuse1 The Ace slander is unbelievable. He shot 34% from three playing 2 on 5 taking some unbelievably tough shots and registering a freshman stat line only matched by Coop. Does anyone really think he’s going to struggle to score in the NBA??

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@TheCinesthetic That scene in Persona…

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

Ah yes, that last bastion of opinionated partisan propaganda that is *squints* the associated press …

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

The US State Department is forcing all of its employees to cancel subscriptions to any Trump-unfriendly media.

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

The US State Department is forcing all of its employees to cancel subscriptions to any Trump-unfriendly media.

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@Domo8186 I think this is a classic case of overvaluing our own guys. I understand it’s in order to contend for a ‘ship, but Tyus is signing for the vet min. What do you think the market for him was really like for an undersized PG who can’t create his own offense?

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@Domo8186 & Bilal could be starting for an Olympic medal contender. We’re chillen 😎

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@MattModderno God how desperate are we exactly?

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@chasedcsports It’s because they get scored on so quickly that they get extra possessions.

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@washedwiz Honestly, impressed w a few players in this draft so far. There’s 2 or 3 allstars in this class. Just need to draft well.

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@Deetalksalot Any of the top 3 plus Buzelis.

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@xShotti @MattModderno Just waiting to dump him and Tre for picks and/or a young big at the trade deadline. 🤞

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@BulletsForever I know people say it’s a weak draft, but I’m honestly impressed w the top 4 in what I’ve seen so far. Start adding pieces to the Poolibaly core.

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@KevinFolliNBA This is going to be known as one of Winger’s signature moves

It’s brilliant: frontload the salary hit now when you need to reach the cap floor and lock in an underpay over several role players’ prime years so you can go out and pay another star when you need to down the line.

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@_prezidente He said “give me the young Abraham Lincoln”

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@OBtoojiveforyou I think it’s a trade and waive situation, but yes still highly radioactive.

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@Domo8186 Just remember he can’t play defense

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@WillCIayton In 3-4 years time after JP’s 2nd or 3rd allstar appearance people will look back on this trade as a huge W for the Wiz.

[Jason Czerwiec @JasonCzerwiec]

@kukukadoo Actually, yes