Albany, NY—Yesterday, the New York State Senate and Assembly submitted their one-house budget resolutions. The proposals include investments totaling $74.2 million for legal services funding, $250 million for the Housing Voucher Access Program, and the Senate’s proposed $175 million investment for Coverage for All.

Council to vote Monday on resolution backing first-in-the-nation state bill establishing right to an attorney in immigration proceedings

ALBANY — Leading immigrant rights advocacy organizations today applauded Albany Common Council members for their support of state legislation that would establish a first-in-the-nation right to legal counsel in immigration proceedings, which is already available in criminal proceedings.

The Biden administration and Congress are proposing draconian measures that would create a government-mandated asylum ban. These proposals are so extreme that even Border officials recognize that they will create more chaos at the southern border while failing to address the structural issues at hand.

New York, NY—Today, the New York State Legislature voted to approve their plan for Congressional district maps that will be in effect for the next decade. While the state Legislature has taken steps to reduce the splitting of minority communities of interest, the maps do not go far enough to represent all New Yorkers, including immigrant communities.

New York —Today, the NYS Supreme Court Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department ruled on Fossella v. New York City, a lawsuit brought by Republican leaders against New York City’s passage of Local Law 11, New York City’s municipal voting rights bill.

New York, NY—Today, NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced the cancellation of the Fiscal Year 2025 Executive Budget Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEG) for city agencies. Despite a budget surplus, Mayor Adams also announced an additional 10% cut to city-funded asylum seeker costs.

New York, NY—Today, a recent report revealed the Biden Administration is considering taking immediate action to alleviate pressure at the southern border, directly impacting asylum seekers and immigrant communities. 

Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:

“What is needed now more than ever from the Biden administration is to ensure that any border security executive actions protect due process for asylum seekers and provide resources for a fair, efficient and humane asylum system.

BUFFALO — Following reporting by the New York Times about a lawsuit detailing allegations of abuse against migrants by members of the National Guard and contractor DocGo, the New York Immigration Coalition today called for a thorough investigation of the allegations and action against those found to have abused migrants in their care.

Recent incidents in New York City have fueled fear-mongering and baseless attacks on sanctuary city policies. New York’s long-standing sanctuary policies are public safety measures – laws that protect entire communities and encourage immigrants to access police protection.

New York, NY—Today, after months of negotiation, the Senate released the text of the  “Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024,” making clear the administration’s willingness to advance extreme restrictions on the United States asylum process and immigration system in exchange for foreign aid.