For Immediate Release

Press Contact: media@vera.org

New York—On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the CARE for Immigrant Families coalition rallied with immigrant rights advocates, elected officials, allies and impacted people at the New York State Capitol to demand a $165 million investment in immigrant legal services funding. Advocates called for the passage of the Access to Representation Act (S141/A270) and the Bolstering Unrepresented Immigrant Legal Defense Act (BUILD Act) for the 2025 New York State Legislative Session.

As New York families remain under threat of mass deportations and detentions from the Trump administration the state must stand firm in ensuring due process and access to justice for immigrant New Yorkers. Our state must remain a beacon of unity and justice, standing strong against federal anti-immigrant attacks with bold action.

The Access to Representation Act would be a first-in-the-nation, guaranteeing immigrants facing deportation the right to legal counsel in New York State–ensuring they have a fair chance to fight for their freedom and justice. 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.

“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 Assemblymember Catalina Cruz.

“As we approach a second Trump Administration we must stand ready to protect New York’s immigrant community from the attacks that the former president has already 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 State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.

“As immigrant families across the nation face increasing threats of deportation, it is vital that our courts hold the line and ensure every individual receives a fair hearing and due process under the law. Every New Yorker, regardless of background or immigration status, deserves the right to legal representation and a fair chance to defend themselves. The Access to Representation Act and Build Act are not only matters of due process but a reflection of our core values of liberty and justice for all. Thank you to the New York Immigration Coalition and my colleagues in the legislature for continuing to fight for these critical investments that will help protect immigrant New Yorkers,” said State Senator John Liu.

“With Trump back in the White House, immigrant communities in New York are living under the realities of mass deportations, detention, and family separation. For too many, the immigration system is a fast track to deportation, not justice. Without legal representation, the system is stacked against immigrants, denying them a fair chance to fight to remain in their homes and contribute to our culture and economy. New York has the power to fight back and ensure our communities have a shot at freedom. By passing the Access to Representation Act and the BUILD Act, the state can ensure that immigrant New Yorkers have the legal defense they need to stand up against an administration determined to strip them of their rights and humanity. We urge the New York State Legislature to act now–fund immigration legal services at $165 million and pass these bills and send a clear message that no one in our state will be forced to fight deportation alone. New York must lead the way in resisting Trump’s deportation agenda and defending the rights of all New Yorkers,” said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition.

“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 State Senator Jeremy Cooney.

“Our immigrant communities are under attack. As the Trump administration continues their assault on migrants and people of color, we must ensure the access to resources and guaranteed legal counsel for all indigent New Yorkers. Thank you to Senator Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Cruz for their work in fighting for immigrant rights,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez.

“Now, more than ever, we must do all we can to help those who desperately need representation. This can mean the difference between life or death for some people. Thank you to Assemblymember Cruz for sponsoring this important bill,” said Assemblymember Chris Burdick.

“I join NYIC in calling for $165 million for immigrant legal services in this year's budget. As the Trump administration threatens the detention and deportation of immigrants, New York must stand prepared to protect immigrant communities. Everyone deserves to have legal representation,” said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein.

"If we do not fight for the people who breathe culture, love, and community into our city’s neighborhoods, we are failing. We know that when one of our own has legal representation, they are more likely to experience a fair and timely process—and ten times more likely to remain in their communities rather than face detention or deportation. Immigrants sacrifice for all of us—they proudly run storefronts, show up to work every day, and generate the revenue that funds our schools, community centers, and infrastructure. It’s time to universally fund legal counsel for immigrants, regardless of their ability to pay, and for New York to build the legal infrastructure they can rely on when they need it,” said Assemblymember Brian Cunningham.

“Donald Trump and his Administration are decimating the rights of immigrant New Yorkers before our very eyes. From federal raids, to executive orders ending birthright citizenship, to separating families, to requiring immigrants to carry documentation, this Administration has made clear that the rule of law does not apply to them. We have a moral responsibility to shield immigrant communities from the war that Trump and his allies are waging against them. That is why we must fund legal services for immigrants in this year’s state budget – the civil rights of every New Yorker and immigrant depend on it,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing.

"Individuals facing deportation are often fleeing persecution and targeted violence in their countries of origin. We need to be sure that—before they are deported to what may be a certain death—we make a proper decision for those who are eligible to remain in this country under our laws. With greater funding for immigration legal services, we can ensure that vulnerable New Yorkers have access to due process. Given the immediate and growing threat to immigrants everywhere, the Access to Representation Act needs to be a priority of our current session in Albany,” said Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky.

“Due process is one of the most fundamental principles we share as Americans. Yet, every day, immigrants are forced to navigate a complicated and unforgiving legal system without representation—facing government attorneys alone and at great personal risk. In immigration court, legal representation is not a luxury; it’s a lifeline. It can be the difference between staying with family and community or facing exile, even death, in a country they no longer recognize as home. At this moment, when immigrant communities are under renewed, relentless attacks and the stakes have never been higher, the Access to Representation Act is our best tool to ensure a just and fair immigration system that reflects our core values. We urge the Governor and legislature to act swiftly, investing $165 million in legal services in FY 2026 budget and guaranteeing that no one stands alone in their fight for justice,” said Camille Mackler, Executive Director, Immigrant-ARC.

“The rollout of the Trump administration’s relentless anti-immigrant agenda has put millions of people at risk for mass deportation, family separation, and indefinite detention. These attacks will devastate local communities and destabilize New York’s economy. New York must protect our future and lead with bold action. State leaders need to invest $165 million in immigration legal defense and pass critical legislation like the Access to Representation Act and the BUILD Act to ensure every New Yorker has access to legal services—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 of Advancing Universal Representation initiative, Vera Institute of Justice.