On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump issued more than a dozen Executive Orders (EOs) that seek to sow fear in immigrant communities. These orders seek to militarize our borders and immigration enforcement more broadly, massively expand the existing deportation and detention machinery, punish organizations that care for immigrants as well as local governments that prioritize protecting their residents, and misinterpret … Read more »
January 19, 2025 This morning our hearts skipped a beat upon hearing the incredible news that Ravi was granted a presidential pardon! We are beyond grateful for this news to come just 24 hours before Trump begins to enact his plans of further supercharging mass deportation. This moment would not have been possible without first and foremost, Ravi and his … Read more »
November 7, 2024 NEW YORK- The Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) today said that it will continue its fight against the mass deportation machine when Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. “Donald Trump campaigned on a promise of mass deportations and has consistently used dehumanizing and criminalizing language to justify plans for immense cruelty to communities of color and … Read more »
November 6, 2024 ALBANY– Governor Hochul today responded to the 2024 election results by saying she is “committing to safeguarding the rights, freedoms and values we hold dear – no matter what lies ahead.” In a speech Wednesday afternoon, she said she will focus on key areas likely to face threats from the Trump administration – including immigration – and … Read more »
ICE Recruits Journalists, Pols, Business Execs to Roleplay Agents at “Citizens Academy” Programs, Documents Show PR initiative trains attendees in guns and deadly tactics; cultivates vigilantism and xenophobia, rights groups say October 1, 2024, New York and Chicago – Internal documents shed light on the “Citizens Academy” programs, a controversial public relations initiative run by the Department of Homeland Security’s … Read more »
June 10, 2024 ALBANY– The Immigrant Defense Project today condemned the New York State Legislature’s failure to pass the New York for All Act (A.5686 / S.987) during the legislative session, which would have protected immigrant communities and all New Yorkers by prohibiting local law enforcement and state agencies from conspiring with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border … Read more »
June 3, 2024 On May 24 , Governor Kathy Hochul granted eleven pardons, some of those to immigrants who are deeply rooted in their communities in New York yet face immigration consequences because of their convictions. We applaud the Governor’s announcements to grant these pardons and to commute the sentences of two people incarcerated in New York. One of the … Read more »
January 29, 2023 NEW YORK– Over thirty immigrant rights organizations today called on the New York City Council and Speaker Adrienne Adams to stand firm in their support of the How Many Stops Act and Ban Solitary bill. Both bills were vetoed by Mayor Adams, showing a blatant disregard for the safety and rights of Black, Latinx, immigrant and all … Read more »
January 18, 2024 ALBANY, NY – New York State legislators joined over 120 human rights and social justice advocates, directly impacted community members, legal service providers, and faith leaders across New York State to launch the Justice Roadmap, a legislative agenda designed to address the deeply interconnected harms caused by the criminal legal and immigration systems and build community safety … Read more »
CLE Training: December 14, 2023, 2:00pm – 3:30pm (ET) On September 6, 2023, the Second Circuit issued a landmark decision in U.S. v. Minter, No. 21-3102, 2023 WL 5730084 (2d Cir. Sept. 6, 2023), which held that certain New York “Narcotic Drug” Convictions are not Aggravated Felonies or Offenses Relating to a Controlled Substance. The decision in Minter opens up exciting … Read more »
August 18, 2023 ALBANY, N.Y.— Over two dozen national and New York-based advocates for immigrant survivors of violence today called on Governor Hochul to sign the Fair Courts for Immigrant New Yorkers Act into law to offer critical protections for immigrant survivors of gender based violence in the criminal legal system. The bill is sponsored by Senator Kavanagh and Assemblymember … Read more »
The New York for All Act would prohibit local law enforcement and state agencies from colluding with federal immigration agencies. June 12, 2023 New York—The New York State Legislative session is coming to a close, without leaders bringing the New York For All Act (S.987 Gounardes / A.5686 Reyes) forward for floor votes in the Senate or Assembly. This legislation … Read more »
May 1, 2023 New York – Unions and worker justice organizations are joining the call for lawmakers in Albany to pass the New York for All Act, which would broadly prohibit local and state agencies from assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) in searching for, arresting and deporting immigrant New Yorkers. Twenty-five labor unions … Read more »
NEW DEVELOPMENT! September 2023 The Second Circuit has now decided in U.S. v. Minter that certain “narcotic drug” and “cocaine” convictions from 1978-present are categorically overbroad relative to the federal Controlled Substances Act. IDP has provided resources about the Minter decision here. These resources are up-to-date and in many cases replace the below resources about the U.S. v. Gibson decision. February 2023 IDP … Read more »
February 22, 2023 It has been over 8 years since passage of local laws limiting New York City from working as an extension of ICE. Yet, our city has fallen behind as a leader of strong immigrant protective laws. We have tracked for years how city agencies have flouted our existing laws and continued to funnel people into the hands … Read more »
January 10, 2023 NEW YORK– Over thirty immigrant rights community-based and legal advocacy organizations called on New York Governor Kathy Hochul to withdraw the nomination of Judge LaSalle as Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, and on the New York Senate to reject the nomination. The organizations stand with the many others who have stood up against … Read more »
October 6, 2022 The Immigrant Defense Project has issued the following statement from Jane Shim, Senior Policy Attorney, in response to President Biden’s proclamation granting pardons to thousands of people convicted of simple possession of marijuana: “Marijuana prohibition has devastated poor communities and communities of color for too long, and President Biden’s decision to pardon some federal marijuana possession convictions … Read more »
The New York For All Coalition issues the following statement June 7, 2022 ALBANY, NY – The New York state legislative session concluded last week without lawmakers voting on the New York for All Act (S.03076/A.02328), key immigrants’ rights legislation that has wide support from elected officials, advocates, legal service providers, public health experts, and faith leaders throughout New York … Read more »
June 6, 2022 Albany, NY – During the 2022 legislative session, the Immigrant Defense Project continued its state advocacy work towards justice for all immigrants caught at the intersection of the immigration and criminal legal systems. Our legislative priorities included disentangling ICE policing in the state from local agencies, expanding procedural rights for immigrants in the criminal legal system, and … Read more »
When signed by Gov. Hochul, the bill will strengthen immigrants’ constitutional right to receive legal advice in Criminal Court June 1, 2022 ALBANY, NY – New York is poised to strengthen much-needed constitutional protections for immigrants facing criminal charges after the State Assembly passed a bill mandating New Yorkers get notified of the possibility of immigration consequences. Advocates applauded the … Read more »