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.

New York, NY—Today, Congress approved the stopgap funding bill, once again avoiding a potential government shutdown. The signed measure will keep the government temporarily funded at the current spending level for two more months, with different expiration dates: March 1st for federal agencies and March 8th for others.

New York, NY—Today, New York Mayor Eric Adams announced his $109 billion preliminary budget for FY25.

Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:
“This morning, the Mayor gave a budget briefing that did not reflect the significant support New York State is committing to address asylum seeker costs – to the tune of $2.4 billion in additional funding.

New York, NY—Today, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced her $233 billion executive budget for FY25, with more than $2.4 billion allocation to welcome asylum seekers.

Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:

“We commend Governor Kathy Hochul for a budget that clearly recognizes the needs of our most vulnerable New Yorkers and invests in the success of our newest ones to be able to contribute, integrate and thrive.

Washington, D.C.—Today, the New York Immigration Coalition, alongside 150 New York immigrant advocates and impacted people, headed to Washington, D.C., and rallied with national and local organizations to urge President Biden, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and the U.S. Senate to protect immigrant communities and reject anti-immigrant proposals from being included in the $116 million supplemental aid package for Ukraine.

New York–Today, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), elected officials, education allies, asylum seeking families, and immigrant New Yorkers called to halt the displacement of asylum seekers from shelter mid-winter to navigate an unnecessary and burdensome bureaucratic process to receive a new shelter placement.

New York—Today, elected officials from New York City are standing united in their call for the White House to support immigrant communities by trading away our humanitarian values for foreign aid. Our elected representatives in Washington must reject the cynical attacks on asylum from extremist MAGA Republicans who are trying to use budget negotiations to extract harmful permanent changes to our immigration system and threatening a government shutdown.