By NYCLU
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Friday, Governor Hochul introduced a proposal acknowledging the grave harm of New York local law enforcement colluding with ICE. In response, the New York for All Coalition, comprised of directly impacted families, advocacy, labor, faith, youth, and direct service organizations from across New York State, issued the following statement:
“The emergence of the Governor’s proposed bill is a testament to the power of persistent advocacy by immigrants and allies who demand that our calls for justice be taken seriously by our state government. Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction. Yet, we must be crystal clear that New York for All is the comprehensive solution we need.
The Governor’s proposal only addresses the most formal collusion between ICE and local law enforcement. Even without a 287(g) agreement, local law enforcement can and do freely share information with ICE to abduct New Yorkers, and coordinate the transfer of New Yorkers to ICE where they suffer horrific abuses. Without New York for All, our communities remain vulnerable and under threat by ICE.
As ICE terrorizes New Yorkers, now is the time to push for the full protections our communities deserve. New York has both the power and the responsibility to do more. The New York for All Act will ensure that our local tax dollars and resources are not used to aid and abet ICE’s crimes against humanity and that our local agencies – including our schools, public hospitals, shelters, and more – are not acting as agents of ICE. The bill has won the support of Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and a growing number of senators and assembly members.
We urge the Governor, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart‑Cousins to work closely with bill sponsors Karines Reyes and Andrew Gounardes to ensure we protect New Yorkers with the most comprehensive solution. The time to pass New York for All is now.”
About the New York For All Campaign: Alianza Agrícola, The Bronx Defenders, Immigrant Defense Project, Columbia County Sanctuary Movement, Make the Road New York, the New York Civil Liberties Union, the New York Immigration Coalition and Vera Institute of Justice lead New York For All, a coalition of over 100 organizations and elected officials united to pass the New York For All Act. The bill (S2235A Gounardes / A3506A Reyes)will prohibit state and local agencies from colluding with CBP and ICE on civil federal immigration enforcement. All New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, deserve to lead free and safe lives without fear of being disappeared from their communities and ripped apart from their families.
