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 »
December 20, 2024Contact: Yasmine Farhang, [email protected] ALBANY, NY – Today, Governor Kathy Hochul granted 21 pardons and 1 commutation. We are thrilled for the New Yorkers who benefit today and for whom these clemencies mean stability, family unity, and, in many cases, critical protections in a moment of fear and urgency for so many immigrant New Yorkers. New Yorkers like … 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 20, 2024 IDP Praises Relief for Immigrants, Urges Biden Administration to Minimize “Double Punishment” for Successful Implementation NEW YORK– The Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) appreciates the incredible significance of President Biden’s announcement of executive action to bring relief to hundreds of thousands of people living in fear of deportation: specifically, qualifying undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and some young … 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 »
February 27, 2024 NEW YORK– The ICE Out NYC Coalition, a group of New York City immigrant rights organizations, today said Mayor Adams’s comments on rolling back the City’s sanctuary laws, which limit collusion between city agencies and federal immigration enforcement, are reckless, dangerous and unfairly vilify migrants for political gain. At a community event in Brooklyn on Monday, 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 »
December 22, 2023 ALBANY, NY – Today, Governor Kathy Hochul granted 16 pardons, 7 of those to immigrants who are deeply rooted in their communities in New York, yet face immigration impacts because of their convictions. We applaud the Governor’s announcements to grant these pardons and to commute the sentences of 4 others. One of the pardon recipients is Kayode … Read more »
September 11, 2023 ALBANY, NY – On Friday, Governor Kathy Hochul granted 10 pardons to immigrant New Yorkers whose convictions have triggered deportation, risk of deportation, or ineligibility for naturalization, and commuted the sentences of 3 others. One of the pardon recipients is Christopher Dyer, a former green card holder who first came to the United States at the age … 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 »
June 8, 2023 ALBANY, N.Y.— For the second year in a row, the state legislature has passed the Fair Courts for Immigrant New Yorkers Act (S.5836/A.3057), a critical bill that will ensure that immigrant New Yorkers facing criminal charges get a clear notification that there could be an immigration impact and be alerted to get the advice they are entitled … Read more »
The Fair Courts for Immigrant New Yorkers Act Would Strengthen Immigrants’ Constitutional Right to Receive Legal Advice in Criminal Court May 17, 2023 ALBANY, NY— Advocates applauded the Assembly’s passage today of the Fair Courts for Immigrant New Yorkers Act, a critical bill in Albany that will ensure that immigrant New Yorkers facing criminal charges get a clear notification that … 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 »
February 15, 2023 New York, NY- At a City Council hearing on Wednesday, the Immigration and Criminal Justice Committees heard hours of testimony from community members and advocates illustrating how the City has continued to funnel people into the hands of ICE and why we need to strengthen our local laws to protect immigrant New Yorkers. In questioning the Department … Read more »
Justice Roadmap 2023 Paves the Way to Long Overdue Changes to New York’s Criminal Legal and Immigration Systems – The Time is Now! January 17, 2023 NEW YORK – Today, state legislators and more than 120 advocacy groups unveiled the Justice Roadmap 2023 – a legislative agenda to address the interconnected harms of the criminal legal and immigration systems and … 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 »