On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, our country is not only called on to remember the legacy of a great leader and champion of the people, but to honor his life by working to dismantle racism, poverty, and injustice wherever it has taken root. 

Throughout the Trump presidency, immigrants have been relentlessly demonized, attacked, and stripped of their rights. These injustices demand all of us to act—which is why we’re asking you to join us in the fight for a bold, comprehensive 2020 agenda to protect and empower immigrant New Yorkers. 

Last week, New York became the first state in the nation to introduce legislation to guarantee the right to a lawyer for all immigrants facing deportation, regardless of income. Along with our partners, we worked with Senator Brad Hoylman and Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz to introduce the historic Access to Representation Act and to mount a last line of defense against Trump’s deportation machine. 

This legislation is part and parcel of an agenda that builds on the victories of 2019 and recognizes the vital importance of not only of due process, but of education, healthcare, and support for refugee resettlement.

Dr. King’s vision of an America that embraces all people, regardless of their religion, race, or nationality, is far from realized—it is up to us to protest for equality in the streets, to fight for justice in the courts, and to demand progressive change in the halls of government. 

Thank you for fighting with us, 

Executive Director