New York, NY—Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will be expanding its use of Title 42, and returning Venezuelans claiming asylum at the Southern border to Mexico. DHS will also be creating a new parole program, requiring that Venezuelans entering the country will need to have a sponsor living in the United States.

New York, NY—Today, New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared a state of emergency and issued an Executive Order directing a cross-agency response to the newly arrived asylum seekers in New York. The mayor called for greater coordination from the Federal and State governments in responding to this situation.

New York, NY–Today, the New York City Districting Commission publicly approved the new City Council maps. The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and NYIC Action Executive Director Murad Awawdeh released the following statement in response:

“After the Commission voted to not move forward with their current maps last month, we were hopeful to see them put in place positive changes in the way New Yorkers are represented in this city.

New York, NY—Last night, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced his Administration will move the location of the City’s first so-called “Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center” for asylum seekers. Citing flooding that occurred over the weekend at Orchard Beach, the relief camps will be relocated to Randalls Island.

New York, NY—New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced his Administration will open “Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers” to receive asylum seekers arriving from Texas. The centers will be operated by the NYC Department of Emergency Management (NYCEM) and NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H), with one confirmed location in Orchard Beach in the Bronx, one location to be determined, and potentially more centers opened in the coming weeks.

New York, NY–Today, the New York City Districting Commission publicly released new City Council maps but did not move them forward for a New York City Council vote. The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and NYIC Action Executive Director Murad Awawdeh released the following statement in response:

“When the New York City Districting Commission called for public comment starting in March, we were optimistic that New Yorkers would have their voices heard in this key process of democracy.

New York, NY—Yesterday, an asylum seeker died in a New York City shelter, according to a statement by Mayor Eric Adams. The woman’s death was stated to be a suicide. The city has said that approximately 11,000 asylum seekers have come to New York City by bus from Texas and Arizona since May, and that the city’s shelter system has increased by 10,000 people in that same time.

Long Island, NY–The Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) is failing to meet its locally-mandated order to provide adequate language access to community members, according to a new report released by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and Long Island Language Advocates Coalition (LILAC).

NYIC and LILAC conducted a survey to test the availability of language access to the Nassau County community by calling headquarters and precincts a total of 94 times.

New York, NY–Today, the New York Immigration Coalition, allies, and immigrant New Yorkers held a press conference at Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School to inform immigrant families about what to expect when the new school year begins on September 8. 

As immigrant New Yorkers prepare to go back to class, there are many issues they will need to navigate: new COVID protocols, budget cuts, enrollment (including enrollment of asylum seekers), and language access.

New York, NY–Today, the New York Immigration Coalition, allies, and immigrant New Yorkers rallied on the steps of City Hall to demand that the federal, state and city governments step up efforts to provide asylum seekers being bused to New York City with the necessary services and support to ensure they are able to thrive here.