New York, NY-Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Protect Our Courts Act (S00425A/A2176A) which ensures New Yorkers can freely access the justice system without fear of being targeted by federal immigration authorities. The New York Immigration Coalition championed the legislation arguing that the bill would address longstanding concerns that federal immigration enforcement was deterring immigrants from appearing in New York State courts and impeding the fair administration of justice.
After Governor Cuomo signed the Protect Our Courts Act, Murad Awawdeh, interim Co-Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, issued the following statement.
“During the last few years, not even New York's courthouses were free from ICE's terror campaign against immigrant communities. But, here in the Empire State, we don't tolerate bullies. Working with our partners in the ICE Out Of Courts Coalition, NYIC fought for all New Yorkers to be able to exercise their right to due process freely, safely, and without fear. We thank Assemblymember Solages and Senator Hoylman for championing this vital piece of legislation and Governor Cuomo for signing it into law. The bill sends a clear message that ICE's intimidation is not welcome in New York.”