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John,Â
Immigrant communities are the heart of New York. Yet, despite being integral to our state’s prosperity and recovery, they remain fearful of even minor interactions with local law enforcement because collusion with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) might mean they will be separated from their families.
That’s why we’re working to pass the New York for All Act this year—our state must protect immigrant New Yorkers, not enable abusive agencies to threaten our communities.Â
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Immigrant New Yorkers are subject to excessive surveillance and detention. A simple task like taking a child to the doctor or school can result in deportation, cruelly tearing apart families. Everyday life is a constant looming danger for many immigrants because there is no statewide policy that ensures local resources are not being used for immigration enforcement.Â
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The New York for All Act would put an end to the state-sanctioned terrorization of our immigrant communities. This pivotal legislation would prevent all local law enforcement and state agencies from conspiring with ICE and CBP. More specifically, it would prohibit state and local authorities from sharing sensitive information with immigration agents, prevent ICE and CBP from entering non-public state and local property without a judicial warrant, and ensure people are given notice of their rights before being interviewed by ICE while in jail.
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Our state has a responsibility to protect its communities. New York shouldn’t be in the business of doing ICE’s or CBP’s dirty work. By using our tax dollars to facilitate the cruel abuses of these agencies, New York fails its communities and endangers us all.Â
By passing the New York for All Act, New York would make clear that our communities cannot be targeted, and immigrant New Yorkers would be able to freely carry out their daily lives without fear of being separated from their families. Since Congress and the Biden administration have failed to take definitive action to protect immigrants, it’s time for New York to step up and ensure our immigrant friends, family, and neighbors are recognized and protected.Â
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Onward,
Murad Awawdeh
Executive Director
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