Immigration Advocates and Lawmakers Rally to Demand $165M for Legal Services in Budget, Passage of the Access to Representation and BUILD Acts

Proposed legislation would secure immigrants’ legal rights

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Livestream is available here

Albany, NY—Today, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), partners, legal service providers, immigrant New Yorkers and allies will rally at the New York State Capitol in support of the Access to Representation Act (ARA, S141/A270) and the Building Up Immigrant Legal Defense Act (BUILD Act, A2689/S4538) for the 2025 New York State Legislative Session.

NYC Democracy Diminished with Our City Our Vote Court Ruling

New York—Today, the New York Court of Appeals erroneously upheld a ruling declaring New York City’s Local Law 11 unconstitutional. This law had expanded voting rights in municipal elections to roughly one million immigrant New Yorkers with legal permanent residency or work authorization, when it was passed in December 2021 and enacted in January 2022. The  implementation of Local Law 11 was immediately delayed due to a court challenge brought by a group of New York Republican voters, officials, and members of the New York Republican State Committee and the Republican National Committee.

Advocates and Lawmakers Rally to Demand $165M for Immigration Legal Services Funding, Passage of Access to Representation Act and BUILD Act

While Trump administration attempts mass deportations, proposed legislation would secure immigrants’ legal rights 

Photos and videos available here

Albany, NY - Today, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), partners, legal service providers, immigrant New Yorkers, and allies rallied at the New York State Capitol in support of the Access to Representation Act (ARA, S141/A270) and the Building Up Immigrant Legal Defense Act (BUILD Act, A2689/S4538) for the 2025 New York State Legislative Session.

DHS Must Immediately Release Columbia Student Activist

New York, NY—Last night, a student activist at Columbia University was reportedly arrested by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He is now being detained at the Elizabeth Detention Center in New Jersey. Mahmoud Khalil has a green card, and his wife (a U.S. citizen) is eight months pregnant.

Trump to Put Kids in Cages Again

New York, NY—It has been reported that the Trump administration is reopening multiple detention centers to detain immigrant families in addition to ICE targeting immigrant families. ICE also continues to build its deportation infrastructure with the reopening of a massive detention center just outside of New York City.

Trump Registry Will Force People Into the Shadows, But Is Not Currently in Effect

New York, NY—Last month, USCIS issued guidance on the Trump administration’s Executive Order on national registration. The guidance announced  that most individuals over 14 years old living in the United States without immigration status will need to register with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – if they are not already registered with them –  and provide their fingerprints and address.

Immigrant Advocates Demand NYC Public Healthcare Providers Continue to Deliver Services to All NYers

New York, NY—Today, it was reported that some healthcare providers in New York City are denying care to individuals who do not prove they are citizens or have social security numbers. Federally Qualified Health Centers are mandated to provide healthcare to underserved communities regardless of their ability to pay, which often serves as a safety net for underdocumented and mixed status families.

Trump’s DOJ Attacks New York with Frivolous Lawsuit

New York, NY—Today, the Justice Department (DOJ) announced it is suing New York State – along with Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and DMV Commissioner – for limiting local collusion with federal immigration enforcement.

This lawsuit includes a challenge to New York’s Green Light law, which allows New Yorkers regardless of immigration status to obtain a driver’s license.

Immigrant, Civil Rights Organizations Continue Fight to Expand Voting Rights for All New Yorkers 

Appeals court hearing on municipal voting rights for lawful permanent residents and authorized workers marks critical moment in OCOV coalition's efforts 

New York, NY–Today, the New York State Court of Appeals heard arguments regarding the constitutionality of extending municipal voting rights to lawful permanent residents and persons authorized to work in New York City.