Jack Kavanaugh

Buffalonian. Social Worker. Youth Advocate. Mentoring Professional.

pronouns: he/him/his

[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.

[Jack Kavanaugh @Jack_K]

Thanks you to the Buffalo News for printing my Another Voice submission this week. It's more critical than ever to supper evidence-based care for all young people, especially LGBTQ+ youth.

[Jack Kavanaugh @Jack_K]

@AdamBojak Oh I was just curious as the downtown one is right by my office and wanted to know if I’m losing my favorite lunch spot 😭

[Jack Kavanaugh @Jack_K]

@AdamBojak This is the downtown one, yes? Not the one on Niagara

[Mark Poloncarz @markpoloncarz]

🧵 While many people, like yours truly, have early voted, more than 85% of Erie County's registered voters have not. If you have yet to vote, I ask you to vote YES on Erie County Proposition 1 in the lower left hand corner of your ballot. 1/5

[Jack Kavanaugh @Jack_K]

Thank you to the Buffalo News for publishing my submission to Another Voice in today’s news.

Using trans and nonbinary youth as political scapegoats and pawns is disgusting. All young people deserve to be seen as humans deserving of love and respect.

https://t.co/e9oWGa6ClG

[Mayor Sean M. Ryan @MayorSeanRyan]

It was a pleasure to join everyone for the 41st @glys_wny Gayla, supporting an amazing organization providing critical support for LGBTQ+ youth in WNY.

Thanks to Exec. Dir. Jack Kavanaugh & congrats to this year's Honorary Chair, Judge Gary Wilson and all the award recipients!

[Jack Kavanaugh @Jack_K]

@dieworkwear Just going to add that Left Field NYC's denim and chinos have a fairly high rise--I have a pair of their jeans and just ordered some chinos, but all with a 13"+ front rise. But my O'Connells and vintage BB pants are the best I have found.

[Jack Kavanaugh @Jack_K]

@AdamBojak Its gonna be so funny when they announce Interim HC Nate Hackett

[blaire erskine @blaireerskine]

I was running late for my red eye two years ago when a TSA guy put up a rope and said the line was closing. Suddenly, a voice behind me said “No no no,” and the TSA guy looked like he’d seen a ghost or an angel or Dikembe Mutombo. I turned around. It was Dikembe Mutombo.

[Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com on Bsky @ErinInTheMorn]

1. According to a heartbreaking study just published in Nature, anti-transgender laws, including healthcare bans, have increased suicide attempts by up to 72% in states passing such legislation.

The study is the first of its kind.

Subscribe to support my journalism.

[Colton Long @ColtonMLong]

NO, KAMALA! NOT SHEETZ! WAWA HAS MORE OPTIONS AND THE BEST HOAGIES! YOU’RE GOING TO LOSE THE PHILLY SUBURBS! KAMALA!

[Jack Kavanaugh @Jack_K]

@GovJakeWagner I’d be there

[Jack Kavanaugh @Jack_K]

"Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office."

[Mike Crispi @MikeCrispi]

BREAKING: Tim Walz is an enemy of the Italian American Community.

He has a long history of being in favor of erasing our culture. He strongly has supported the removal of Christopher Columbus statues.

We will call it for what it is: racism.

@TheIACRL demands he drops out.

[Jack Kavanaugh @Jack_K]

@GovJakeWagner More teachers and social workers in politics pleaseee

[Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com on Bsky @ErinInTheMorn]

1. The New York Times has published another lengthy opinion piece by Pamela Paul targeting transgender care.

It is filled with inaccuracies, disinformation, and factually incorrect claims.

Lets dive in.

Subscribe to support my journalism.

[Danielle @DLVermeer]

Junkification is ruining shopping online

• SHEIN launched a marketplace to compete vs. Amazon

• Temu launched even cheaper marketplace vs. SHEIN

• Amazon launching direct-from-manufacturer discount store to compete vs. SHEIN & Temu

[Jack Kavanaugh @Jack_K]

@AdamBojak I await your season 4 commentary eagerly

[Jack Kavanaugh @Jack_K]

@AdamBojak what season are you in?

[Jack Kavanaugh @Jack_K]

@AdamBojak @dzzo716