Matthew Jones

Writer. Former casting director. Perpetual traveler. Creator of @PhilosophynFilm. My thoughts & stuff:

[Matthew Jones @Future_Comedian]

Matt-ew and his three seconds on Argentine TV.

[Matthew Jones @Future_Comedian]

Don't use @Airbnb. They've gone to shit. They charged me $500 out of blue and nobody can give me a straight answer. It's always "someone else's department." So much fun.

[Matthew Jones @Future_Comedian]

It's literally stupid how much I enjoy House of Villains.

[Matthew Jones @Future_Comedian]

https://t.co/2Idd6bsh4i #poodles #apartmentliving

[Philosophy in Film @PhilosophynFilm]

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[Philosophy in Film @PhilosophynFilm]

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[Philosophy in Film @PhilosophynFilm]

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[Philosophy in Film @PhilosophynFilm]

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[Philosophy in Film @PhilosophynFilm]

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[Philosophy in Film @PhilosophynFilm]

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[Philosophy in Film @PhilosophynFilm]

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[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.

[Philosophy in Film @PhilosophynFilm]

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[Philosophy in Film @PhilosophynFilm]

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[Philosophy in Film @PhilosophynFilm]

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[Matthew Jones @Future_Comedian]

You should be shitting out UGTs as fast as you can, because they’re the only watchable Housewives content left. Bring back Dorinda, Sonja, Luann, and even the hated Ramona because they actually work (re: RHONY Legacy). At least they are authentic.

[Matthew Jones @Future_Comedian]

@Andy the finale of RHONJ was absolute garbage and a slap in the face to viewers. The rebooted RHONY is an abomination and Dubai is a sleeping pill. It shows that now that you have all the money and success you need, you don’t give a shit about making good TV anymore.

[Philosophy in Film @PhilosophynFilm]

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[Matthew Jones @Future_Comedian]

@bettyfreidzon hello Pastor Betty! I am from the United States and want to attend the service today, but my Spanish is not very good. Is there someone at Rey de Reyes who can help translate for me? Thank you and God bless!

[Matthew Jones @Future_Comedian]

@claudiofreidzon hello Pastor Claudio! I’m American and would like to attend your reunion today. Is there someone at Rey de Reyes who can help translate the service for me? Muchas gracias and God bless!

[Philosophy in Film @PhilosophynFilm]

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