NYC Council Speaker Adams’s First Budget Provides Deep Investments for Immigrant NYers

New York, NY—Following the New York City Council’s Response To The Fiscal 2023 Preliminary Budget release, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) applauded several critical additions that would greatly benefit the city’s immigrant population. In particular, NYIC celebrated the inclusion of $25 million to implement the Our City Our Vote law (Local Law 11-2022). Passed last December, the historic law allows New Yorkers who are green card holders or have valid work authorizations to vote in municipal elections.

The Council’s budget response prioritized two key NYIC education priorities; the Adult Literacy Pilot Program and baseline funding for all adult literacy programs. Additionally, the NYC Council included a $5 million investment in expanding language access–a long-sought NYIC goal to ensure that every New Yorker can access the services and information they need from their local government to keep their families secure. Finally, the NYC Council prioritized a $5 million investment to prevent hate crimes, which come from several horrific attacks on Asian New Yorkers, particularly women.  

Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:

“This budget response is proof this class of New York City Council Members is centering the need for justice, equity, and access for immigrant New Yorkers. The response acknowledges the importance of supporting the implementation of the Our City, Our Vote campaign, which secured one of the largest enfranchisements in our city’s history, by creating significant opportunities for our communities to engage in the robust outreach necessary to educate and register to vote the over 800,000 future eligible voters. Moreover, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams’ investments in Adult Literacy and Language Access Programs indicate a recognition of the programming needed to ensure every New Yorker can successfully navigate our systems and access the critical information they need to thrive. 

Finally, the $5 million investment to combat hate crimes is a crucial step to ensure that every New Yorker feels safer on the streets, in the subway, and in their homes regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.  We know the budget process isn’t over yet, but thank Speaker Adams for her efforts to build a fairer, more vital New York City and look forward to supporting her and the rest of the Council as they fight for these critical initiatives to be included in the final budget.”

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