New York has wanted to show itself for years as a Sanctuary place that protects undocumented people, but on a daily basis, immigrant defense organizations denounce the constant collaboration of law enforcement agencies with federal immigration authorities, for which they urge the state Legislature to law, grant protections to vulnerable communities.
That was the call made on Thursday by dozens of protesters who came to the Capitol in Albany to demand that the Senate and the Assembly approve the so-called New York for All law before the end of the current legislative session. Said regulation would prohibit local and state law enforcement from working with “la Migra” to detain and deport people without papers.
Senator Andrew Gounardes, sponsor of the bill, denounced that in the absence of a regulation that prohibits the collaboration of municipalities with immigration agents, New York has allowed state and municipal authorities for a long time to “collusion” with ICE and the Customs and Border Protection agency, creating fear and unsafe situations.
“We’ve seen the damage that does: parents are too afraid to go to parent-teacher conferences; workers are too afraid to denounce necessary labor violations, families are separated”, said the political leader, urging the Senate and the Assembly to give free rein to the protection law, at a time when more than 72,000 new migrants have arrived to New York in the last year. “We know that doesn’t work, and that now more than ever we need to pass the New York for All Act.”
Assemblyman Tony Simone joined the call, advising that all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, should be able to live their lives openly and without fear.
“Many undocumented immigrants must constantly look over their shoulders, worried that ICE will rip them from their families, and the New York for All Act ensures that our state remains a safe haven. The protections will make our communities safer for everyone.”
Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, stressed that until there is a law that guarantees that municipal authorities will not collaborate with “la Migra”, entire families in all corners of the state will be at constant risk. and perpetual fear of being separated.
“All immigrant New Yorkers deserve to live without the fear that attending to daily tasks, like going to the grocery store or seeking medical care for their children, could result in the separation of their families. The New York for All Act would provide the security and protection that immigrant New Yorkers have long needed to keep their families stable and their communities strong,” said the activist.
“The bill would prevent local law enforcement and state agencies from colluding with ICE and CBP, and would ensure that our local tax dollars are not allocated to enforce ICE’s cruel anti-immigrant agenda,” the advocate added. of immigrants, while urging the Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul to pass and enact the law immediately.
Rosa Cohen-Cruz, policy director of the Bronx Defenders’ Immigration Practice, regretted that the piece of legislation is still rolling without being approved, given Albany’s lack of decision.
“All New Yorkers deserve the freedom to grow, prosper and provide for their families, but for far too long, state law enforcement agencies have waged a campaign of terror against immigrant New Yorkers, cooperating with ICE to harass, scare them and separate them,” said the defender. “Now is the time to pass the New York for All Act and declare once and for all that we will not support ICE detention, harassment and violence against immigrant New Yorkers.”
Yasmine Farhang, director of advocacy for the Immigrant Defense Project, insisted that as the clock ticks down, lawmakers must prioritize passage of the bill, which is supported by 57 co-sponsors in the Assembly and 32 in the Senate.
“New York is shamefully behind in establishing key protections for immigrant New Yorkers who currently fear state and local agencies will put them at risk by sharing their information and transferring them to ICE custody,” Farhang said.
“It is indefensible that we continue to accept that localities become entangled with ICE, that immigrant New Yorkers can be permanently separated from their families and communities. And as we have seen time and time again, not passing this legislation allows racism, harassment and threats”, concluded the community leader.