Last week the State Education Department (SED) released its draft Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan. In the draft (page 133), SED commits to creating official engagement guidelines with an emphasis on engaging parents and families of students identified as English Language Learners (ELLs)/Multilingual Learners (MLLs), immigrant, migrant and homeless.

Today Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to speak with the Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly, about a recent incident in which a federal agent from USCIS visited a public school in Queens. In response, Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition issued the following statement:

“Although it appears that Thursday’s events were not an enforcement action, it demonstrates how important it is for the Department of Education to have these protocols in place to protect every student in New York City, regardless of immigration status.

Earlier this month Mayor de Blasio unveiled a $16.4 million legal services plan as a part of his executive budget which would provide undocumented immigrants facing deportation and other proceedings legal representation.

The Mayor later revealed that this funding would not be provided for immigrants in removal proceedings who have been convicted of certain crimes.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday, 217-213, to approve the American Health Care Act. The following is a statement from Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition:

"The House of Representatives voted Thursday to rob health care from 2.7 million New Yorkers and give a huge tax break to the rich.

During his first 100 days in office, President Trump and his administration have attacked immigrant communities in the United States through a sweeping set of executive actions. These actions have included unconstitutional Muslim bans, efforts to stop refugee admissions, and increased immigration deportation and raids.

On Wednesday, Mayor de Blasio released an $84.9 billion budget for New York City against a backdrop of uncertainty from the Federal government. Steve Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, said:

"The New York Immigration Coalition applauds NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio’s commitment to investing an unprecedented 16.4 million in legal services for people facing deportation and detention, unaccompanied children, and asylum seekers.

A San Francisco judge blocked enforcement of President Trump’s executive order barring federal funds from so-called sanctuary cities Tuesday. In response, Steve Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, released the following statement:

"The New York Immigration Coalition applauds U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick's preliminary injunction against the Department of Justice (DOJ) order to deny funding to sanctuary cities.

The Justice Department sent letters to eight cities Friday that threaten to withhold federal grant money if they don’t demonstrate cooperation with immigration enforcement.

In response, Steve Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition released the following statement:

“Threatening to strip cities of critical federal funding is senseless and hypocritical.

In response to news reports, Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, released the following statement:

"It is shocking that the federal government is deporting DREAMers like Juan Manuel Montes; people who have legal permission to live in the United States under DACA. The Trump Administration’s vicious policies will make all Americans unsafe.

Americans could wind up facing felony charges for giving someone a ride

On Tuesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a widely reported memo to the Department of Justice outlining new policies targeting undocumented immigrants living in the United States.