As the incoming Trump administration confirms plans for draconian mass deportation and separation of families, it is important for immigrant New Yorkers and their allies to understand their rights under the law. The facts below provide clarity on federal and state laws regarding arrests by federal immigration authorities, protections afforded to New Yorkers regardless of immigration status, legal resources, and other key information.

New York, NY—Today, Mayor Adams announced two policy updates to support asylum seekers in New York City. Families with children in kindergarten through sixth grade will be allowed to remain in their current shelter after receiving their second 60-day notice, providing additional time in the system to help children continue attending their current schools.

Immigrant Rights Advocates Demand Biden-Harris Administration Defend Program

New York, NY—Yesterday, U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker ruled against the Keeping Families Together (KFT) program, which aims to expand access to the parole in place program for long-term undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens, as well as the step-children of U.S. citizens.

New York, NY—Today, Donald Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States.

Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:

“Trump will not defeat us. New York would not be the same without the immigrants who have built and rebuilt our culture and economy for generations.

New York, NY—Today, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments for the Keeping Families Together (KFT) program, which aims to expand access to the parole in place program for long-term undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens, as well as the step-children of U.S. citizens.

New York, NY—Today, after years of being excluded, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are now eligible for healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare. The updated policy has lifted the previous prohibition on DACA recipients’ eligibility for coverage under the ACA. Before the expansion, DACA recipients were ineligible for any federally funded health coverage.

New York, NY—Today, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has provided protection from deportation to 31,000 undocumented New Yorkers who came to the United States as children.

New York, NY—Today, Mayor Eric Adams announced the February 2025 closure of the Randalls Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center (HERRC), which houses single and married adult asylum seekers in congregate settings.

Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:

“New York should be investing in the future success of everyone who lives in our great city, whether they arrived here 30 days or 30 years ago.

New York, NY—Today, it was announced that President Biden will not be extending the legal status of immigrants who arrived in the United States under the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) humanitarian parole program. The CHNV program allows sponsored individuals to live and work in the U.S. legally for two years through humanitarian parole.

New York, NY—Today, President Biden issued an update to his executive action limiting access to asylum at the U.S. southern border. Under the updated regulation, the Biden administration now requires that the number of border crossings between ports of entry remain below 1,500 for 28 consecutive days (as opposed to the previous version of the policy which was for one week) in order for the asylum restrictions to be lifted.