New York Immigration Coalition Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

October 18th, 2017

For Immediate Release

October 18, 2017

Press Contact: press@nyic.org

*Press Statement*

New York Immigration Coalition Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

New York, NY – Last night, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) celebrated its 30th anniversary honoring Preet Bharara, Maria Elena Durazo, general vice president of UNITE HERE and the Arab American Association of New York. The gala featured emcee Prachi Gupta, senior reporter at Jezebel and a special performance by Wé McDonald, Season 11 finalist on The Voice. This year’s gala theme was “This is Our New York,” part of an ongoing campaign created in response to the election of Donald J. Trump, to reinforce the social, economic, and cultural value of immigrant communities.

“Our New York, and our path forward cannot be forged by us alone. If there’s one thing the NYIC has learned these last 30 years it’s that we are only successful when we work together; that New York is made stronger when all of us are welcome; and that we all benefit when everyone is given an equal opportunity to thrive,” said Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition.

"As an immigrant and an American I'm pleased to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the New York Immigration Coalition. Organizations that protect opportunity and justice for all are what truly make this country great,” said Preet Bharara.

“Immigrants must be treated with respect and their rights must be protected. This is what the New York Immigration Coalition fights for – in workplaces, in schools, in the White House and everywhere else. I am excited to celebrate 30 years of exemplary work,” said Maria Elena Durazo, General Vice President of UNITE HERE.

Created in response to the 1986 Immigration Reform & Control Act, the New York Immigration Coalition was established to serve the needs of New York’s growing, diverse immigrant population. Over the last three decades, NYIC’s hard work has resulted in victories in education, housing, healthcare and civil rights for immigrant New Yorkers such as ensuring access to adult literacy classes, voter registration and civic education, advocacy against racial profiling in the aftermath of 9/11 and more.

Most recently, the NYIC has been a powerful voice of advocacy against the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant policies, leading the #NoBanJFK movement which assisted travelers from over 20 countries and sparked protests nationwide and organizing legal service providers in the aftermath of the repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

View photos of the event here.

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The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in New York State. We envision a New York state that is stronger because all people are welcome, treated fairly, and given the chance to pursue their dreams. Our mission is to unite immigrants, members, & allies so all New Yorkers can thrive. We represent the collective interests of New York's diverse immigrant communities and organizations and devise solutions to advance them; advocate for laws, policies, and programs that lead to justice and opportunity for all immigrant groups; and build the power of immigrants and the organizations that serve them to ensure their sustainability, to improve people's lives, and to strengthen our state.