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As we march to the NYS capital and talk to elected officials, it’s important to remember who we are fighting for.
Families like Eduardo and his daughter Yisel are real people at risk of facing deportation if lawmakers do not include this investment and pass the ARA. Having fled Peru from gang activity, Eduardo came to New York for the safety and future of his daughter. In NY, Eduardo found a community within the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement– but finding legal representation has been a different story.
After being here for almost a year, Eduardo has only been able to obtain two appointments with immigration lawyers, neither one leading anywhere. With even more limited resources in the Capital Region, Eduardo knows he’s not alone in the search for a pro bono lawyer that could change his and his daughters’ lives.
Tens of thousands of immigrants are racing against the clock to file their applications for asylum or Temporary Protected Status. Many others face the challenge of representing themselves in court against a trained government attorney. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Legal services for immigrants wouldn’t help just these families, but the NYS economy as a whole. Preventing deportation of thousands of New Yorkers would result in an estimated net benefit of $8.4 billion for the federal, state, and local governments in the next 30 years.
Join us virtually by taking action now!
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