Photos/video available here. Livestream available here.
New York, NY—Today, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), elected officials, member organizations, allies, and immigrant New Yorkers held an NYC For All Families rally on the City Hall Steps to call for a New York City FY25 budget and legislation that prioritizes the needs of immigrant New Yorkers.
Advocates called for a wide range of measures including the Stop Shelter Evictions Act, $109 million in funding for immigration legal services, a baseline $5 million investment to increase language services, $25M for Promise NYC, and expanded CityFHEPS eligibility regardless of immigration status.
“The mayor must fully fund services for our communities. Our priorities remain crystal clear: legal services, transfer schools, language justice, and more. From Wolof to Mandarin, people of all backgrounds deserve a shot at a dignified life in our city, and it is our collective power that makes the change we need,” said Council Member Alexa Avilés, District 38, Committee on Immigration Chair.
"NYIC's 2024 priorities for quality education, good jobs, adequate healthcare, and dignified housing, reflect our unwavering commitment to building a city that uplifts all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status and no matter when they arrived,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif, District 39. "These goals are anchored by my legislation Int. 210, the Stop Shelter Evictions Act, which would eliminate the 30 and 60 Day shelter caps and Int. 214, which aims to stop NYPD and DOC collaboration with ICE for immigrant detention and offering recourse for impacted individuals. Another essential program that puts undocumented families on the path to self-sufficiency is the Promise NYC child care program. The benefits of this program demonstrate what is possible when we invest in stability for working families.”
“Having been born into a family of immigrants, I’ve seen first-hand the roadblocks that our new neighbors face when accessing housing, employment, and education. But I also know what NYIC knows: when immigrants have the resources and support to thrive, our entire city thrives alongside them. After all, this is what sets us apart. This is what makes our city so special. Let’s double down on it—not run away from it,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu, District 7.
“The budget priorities from NYIC are common sense supportive services that will make our city stronger and safer. Our strength lies in recognizing that every individual, regardless of origin, contributes to our community - I am proof of what can happen when that belief is actualized. Our collective success hinges on embracing and empowering all who call this city home,” said Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, District 34.
“New York Immigration Coalition recognizes what all New Yorkers should: Ours is a city of immigrants, and our priorities should reflect that fact. Next to the pressing needs of the immigrant community, these requests are modest. We should rise to the occasion and support them. I’m proud to back NYIC in this push and to share the message that everyone belongs,” said Council Member Chi Ossé, District 36.
“New York is a city of immigrants, which has been built and rebuilt by our communities for centuries. We know that when we invest in newcomers and long-term immigrant New Yorkers alike and provide the tools they need to succeed, our City’s economy and culture reap the long term benefits. Access to a quality education, a good job, housing, language services and healthcare, rather than austerity and marginalization, is what all New Yorkers need to get on the road to self-sufficiency. As we welcome our newest neighbors to our great city, we are urging the Mayor and City Council to continue its fight for immigrant and working New Yorkers,” said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition.
This year, the NYIC is campaigning for:
- Preserving the Right to Shelter for all New Yorkers by passing the Stop Shelter Evictions Act (Intro 210)
- Ending City support for detention, deportation, and mass incarceration
- $109 million for legal services
- redirecting NYPD funding
- Ensuring economic power and good jobs
- $21.8 million for NYC Department of Youth and Community Development Adult Literacy programs
- $9 million in adult literacy discretionary funding
- $25 million for Promise NYC childcare
- pass the People's Banking Act Package
- Building political power and guaranteed civil rights
- $5 million to establish the NYC Community Interpreter Bank and language access worker cooperatives
- Securing access to a quality education
- $300,000 to support English Language Learner programs at transfer schools
- $500,000 to support schools with substantial newly arrived populations
- $4 million for the Immigrant Family Communication and Outreach Initiative
- Creating healthy communities
- $4 million for Access Health
- expanding CityFHEPS eligibility to New Yorkers regardless of immigration status