For Immediate Release

Contact: media@vera.org

Albany, NY - Yesterday, CARE for Immigrant Families Coalition, legal service providers, immigrant New Yorkers, and allies rallied at the New York State Capitol in support of the Access to Representation Act (ARA, S141/A270) and the Building Up Immigrant Legal Defense Act (BUILD Act, A2689/S4538) for the 2025 New York State Legislative Session. They also called for increasing the investments in immigration legal services from the $75 million that the Senate and Assembly included in the one-house budgets released today, to a total of $165 million in the State budget for immigration legal services and infrastructure. The coalition urged New York State to fund the Office of New Americans at $100 million and the Department of Education at $65 million to protect individuals at risk of deportation and permanent family separation due to the Trump administration’s relentless attacks.

The Access to Representation Act would be the first of its kind in the nation, guaranteeing immigrants facing deportation the right to legal counsel in New York State and ensuring they have a fair chance to fight for their freedom. The BUILD Act lays the groundwork for ARA by investing in the critical legal infrastructure needed for service providers to create, maintain and expand programs to protect immigrant New Yorkers.

“We must protect New York’s immigrant community from the attacks that President Trump has promised. Now is the time to make significant financial investments in immigrant legal representation, protect our immigrant communities from overreaches by Donald Trump’s Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and pass the Access to Representation Act (S.141), which I sponsor with Assemblymember Cruz, into law. The ARA will guarantee that all those in New York State facing legal challenges related to their immigration status have access to lawyers, which is not currently the case. Legal representation can quite literally determine if thousands of parents are separated from their children or not. By investing in immigrant legal services we can protect vulnerable communities, stop family separation and reform our broken immigration court system, before Donald Trump has the chance to damage it even further,” said Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, District 47.

“New York has always been a sanctuary for those seeking safety, opportunity, and justice. But without legal representation, too many of our immigrant neighbors are forced to fight for their futures alone in a system designed to push them out. As we confront the renewed threats of mass deportation and family separation, we must meet this moment with action. Passing the Access to Representation Act and the BUILD Act is not just about policy—it’s about standing up for the fundamental right to due process. Our state must invest $165 million in legal services to ensure that no New Yorker is left without a fighting chance. This is how we uphold our values, protect our communities, and push back against the injustice of an immigration system that too often denies fairness to those who need it most.” said Assembly Member Catalina Cruz, District 39.

"As families across New York and the nation face increasing threats of deportation, it is vital that our courts uphold the law and ensure every individual has the legal support they need to navigate an increasingly complex system. The Access to Representation and BUILD Act will provide the necessary legal infrastructure to meet the growing demand for representation in our courts and ensure no families are broken up without a fair fight. Thank you to the CARE for Immigrant Families Coalition and my colleagues in the legislature for continuing to fight for resources to protect fellow New Yorkers,” said Senator John Liu, District 16.

“The Trump administration’s relentless anti-immigrant agenda has already put millions of people at risk for mass deportation, permanent family separation, and indefinite detention. These unlawful attacks won’t just harm individuals, they will devastate local communities and destabilize New York’s economy. New York must hold steady in defending immigrant communities against these harmful rollbacks of protections and an unprecedented federal assault on their rights. The Senate and Assembly have funded immigration legal defense at $75 million in their one house budgets, but this is not enough. New York State must invest $165 million to help legal services providers meet the urgent needs of the moment State leaders must also pass critical legislation like the Access to Representation and BUILD Acts to ensure every New Yorker has access to legal services to protect their rights—both in this current moment of crisis and to respond to future attacks. The stakes couldn’t be higher and leaders must act now,” said Rosie Wang, Program Manager, Advancing Universal Representation initiative, Vera Institute of Justice.

“As the federal government's attacks on immigrant communities intensify, New York must stand firm in our commitment to due process under the law. There is nothing more American than the right to a fair hearing. New York can ensure that every resident, regardless of their immigration status, has the chance to be heard, to defend themselves, and to receive impartial treatment within our justice system. We are grateful for the inclusion of $75 million in the Senate and Assembly one-house budgets, but urge our leadership to go further by making an investment of $165 million for legal services and infrastructure, and the passage of the ARA and BUILD Acts to keep our families together and New York’s economy strong,” said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition.

"All New Yorkers should enjoy the right to legal representation, including in immigration courts. By providing for this right, the Access to Representation Act will not only ensure a greater measure of justice for the 4.5 million New Yorkers who are immigrants, but also help stabilize our neighborhoods and strengthen our local economies. Immigrant communities are integral to New York, and I'm proud to stand with my fellow lawmakers, the New York Immigration Coalition, and many others to advance these important protections,” said Senator Julia Salazar, District 18.

"New York’s strength lies in its people—all its people. We cannot allow injustice to take root in our state by denying immigrants the fundamental right to legal representation. The Access to Representation Act and the BUILD Act are more than policies; they are moral imperatives that reinforce our commitment to fairness, dignity, and justice for all. At a moment when the federal government has turned its back on immigrant communities, New York must stand firm, ensuring no one navigates the immigration system alone. We have the power to lead, and we must wield it boldly,” said Senator Robert Jackson, District 31.

"Access to legal counsel is a fundamental right that should not be determined by one's financial situation or immigration status. The Access to Representation Act will provide a critical safety net for immigrant New Yorkers, ensuring that all individuals can defend themselves with the expertise they deserve,” said State Senator Rivera. “Now more than ever, we must focus our efforts on protecting the rights of our brothers and sisters. This bill is a vital step toward justice and equity for New Yorkers, reinforcing our state’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all.” said Senator Gustavo Rivera, District 33.

"In New York, we believe in fairness, justice, and standing up for our neighbors. No one should have to navigate the immigration system alone, especially when the stakes are as high as family separation or deportation. S.141 ensures that every New Yorker, regardless of status, has access to legal representation and a fair shot in court. Thank you, Senator Hoylman-Sigal for spearheading this effort in the legislature.” said Senator Nathalia Fernandez, District 34.

“Every individual deserves dignity and fairness in our legal system, regardless of where they come from. That’s why I am a proud co-sponsor of the Access to Representation Act (S141), which ensures legal counsel for immigrants at risk of deportation so they can fight for their rights. We must ensure New York State fulfills its commitments to residents by expanding resources that protect our most vulnerable community members,” said Senator Samra G. Brouk, District 55.

“The right to an attorney is one of the cornerstones of our justice system, and immigration court should be no exception. I’m a proud co-sponsor of the Access to Representation Act because financial barriers should not prevent someone from living in our country. Now more than ever due process and fairness are needed in all court proceedings to ensure that everyone is provided the same resources and assistance in navigating our legal system,” said Senator Jeremy Cooney, District 56.

"Immigrants are New York, and in this moment—when they are under attack from the federal government and even our own mayor—it is essential that we do everything we can to stand with and protect our immigrant community members. Providing legal representation is a bedrock American principle, and access to representation can be a matter of life or death when we're talking about proceedings to deport someone to a country they fled. Passing this bill is one of the most essential things we can do to protect our immigrant neighbors, ensure all New Yorkers receive a fair trial, and keep families safe and together,” said Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, District 50.

"I am happy to cosponsor the Access to Representation Act which would guarantee legal counsel in immigration court for those who cannot afford it. Access to legal representation is necessary to ensure the protection of people's rights. Without professional representation, people are at a substantially greater risk of detention in dangerous facilities, permanent family separation, and deportation. Under the current administration,the stakes have never been higher and we must protect our neighbors," said Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, District 74.

“Everyone should have access to fair and affordable legal representation. Unfortunately, low-income families, victims of gender-based violence and even more immigrant women are the least likely to have access to legal representation and are therefore the most vulnerable. The lack of access to legal representation can result in the criminalization of innocent people and in many cases even deportation. We ask that CAREIF be prioritized and included in the budget as it will help our families and prevent them from being left in limbo or victims of injustice,” said Martha Maffei, Executive Director, SEPA Mujer.

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About the Campaign for Access, Representation, and Equity (CARE) for Immigrant Families: The Vera Institute of Justice, the New York Immigration Coalition, and Immigrant ARC lead CARE for Immigrant Families, a coalition of more than 100 leading organizations, religious groups, and elected officials united to pass the Access to Representation Act (A270/S141, ARA) and the Building Up Immigrant Legal Defense Act (A2689/S4538, BUILD). The ARA will guarantee access to legal representation for immigrants at risk of deportation in New York. Sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, the legislation would be the first in the nation to create a statewide right to legal representation for people facing deportation who cannot afford it, whether they have recently arrived in the state or have been New Yorkers for decades. The BUILD Act will fund the infrastructure necessary for legal services providers to create, maintain, and expand robust programs to protect immigrant communities under attack over the next four years.