As the legislative session wrapped up yesterday, it became clear Albany lawmakers lacked the political courage to pass common sense policies to protect immigrant New York families at a time when xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant sentiment are rising across the state.
While Albany did earmark a historic $73 million dollars for legal services funding for low-income immigrant New Yorkers during the budget session, Albany failed to advance four critical bills that would have protected the safety and well-being of our communities. Here’s where our bills stood at the close of session yesterday:
The New York for All Act, which helps keep New York families together by barring local law enforcement from colluding with ICE, did not move in either House, despite having the votes needed in the Senate and the support in the Assembly, as well as widespread support from labor and local elected officials.
The Language Access Expansion Act passed the Senate but failed to make it through the Assembly. If passed, the bill would expand access to government information and resources by making it available in more languages to more New Yorkers.
The Access to Representation Act codifies the right to an attorney in immigration court. It was funded in the budget, but it did not make it to a vote in either House.
The Coverage for All Act passed the Senate and built significant momentum but failed to get prioritized in the Assembly. This bill simply gives low-income immigrant New Yorkers a chance to attain affordable health insurance at no cost to the state.
We are deeply disappointed and expected more for our communities. Our immigrant neighbors are the crucial backbone of New York—we won’t let Albany or anyone else forget that truth.
