FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 22, 2025

Contact: media@vera.org

ALBANY – In response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal released yesterday, including $44.2 million for immigration legal services, the Campaign for Access, Representation, and Equity (CARE) for Immigrant Families expressed disappointment, as it fails to adequately address the immediate need for legal services in this critical moment. Immigrant New Yorkers are facing unprecedented attacks following this week’s executive orders by President Trump. New York State must increase funding to defend the rights of immigrant New Yorkers and advance effective legislative solutions to meet the urgent needs arising from the new immigration landscape, promote economic stability, and ensure family unity.

New York State must invest $165 million in the Office for New Americans and the Department of Education to fund sustainable immigration legal services and infrastructure to help New Yorkers facing deportation who cannot afford an attorney. The state must also pass the Access to Representation Act to create a right to counsel in immigration court along with the BUILD Act to fund the strengthening and expansion of legal services programs.

The coalition—which includes the Vera Institute of Justice, the New York Immigration Coalition, Immigrant ARC, and over 100 organizations—emphasized the urgency of the moment. Without bold action by New York State, anti-immigrant federal policies will tear families apart and destabilize communities. At the same time, the number of New Yorkers—both new arrivals seeking safety and longtime residents—facing high-stakes immigration proceedings without representation continues to grow.

Shayna Kessler, director of the Vera Institute of Justice’s Advancing Universal Representation initiative, said:

“Following President Trump’s anti-immigrant executive actions targeting millions of New Yorkers, Governor Hochul’s investment of $44.2 million in immigration legal services fails to allocate sufficient resources to counter the devastation these policies will bring to our state’s families, communities, and workforce. Immigrant New Yorkers urgently need legal representation and protections to defend their rights against the ongoing threats of mass deportations and family separation.

“A $165 million investment in legal services is essential to safeguard our communities and secure New York’s future. This funding would provide critical legal support to those most vulnerable from harm while benefiting neighborhoods and economies across New York. Equally important, the state legislature must pass the Access to Representation Act to establish a right to an attorney along with the BUILD Act to expand the infrastructure needed to deliver immigration legal services statewide.

“As a bulwark of hope, New York has a responsibility to lead the way by advancing bold, effective policies that strengthen our communities and demonstrate the power of positive solutions to defend against these extreme federal attacks. We will work with the governor and the legislature to ensure that happens."

Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, said:

“Nobody should have to face a judge without a lawyer, as too many immigrant New Yorkers are forced to do in immigration court because pro bono lawyers are not provided to help them navigate an extremely complex system. Donald Trump has vowed to tear apart families with his mass deportation agenda, making it imperative that people are provided access to a lawyer to keep New York’s families together and our workforce strong. But the executive budget presented by Governor Hochul today does not go far enough to protect all immigrant New Yorkers should they find themselves in immigration court. We need a robust investment of $165 million for immigration legal services and infrastructure, as well as the passage of the Access to Representation and BUILD Acts. For the sake of our economy and the lives of the families who have made New York State what it is, we need Albany to prioritize making the necessary investments in our New York families and our collective futures.".

Camille Mackler, CEO of Immigrant ARC, said:

"Yesterday, we witnessed unprecedented attacks on immigrant communities and their rights, underscoring the urgent need to act boldly to protect the most vulnerable among us. It is deeply disappointing that, in response to these threats, Governor Hochul’s budget fails to allocate sufficient resources to safeguard immigrant New Yorkers, including critical funding for legal services. Access to legal representation is essential to ensuring justice and fairness for immigrant families who contribute so much to our state. New York must rise to this moment with a budget that prioritizes the safety, dignity, and rights of all its residents.

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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. The bill 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.

About Vera Institute of Justice: The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. Vera’s headquarters is in Brooklyn, New York, with offices in Washington, DC, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. For more information, visit vera.org.

About Immigrant ARC: Immigrant ARC is a collaborative of over 80 organizations and professional associations providing legal services to New York’s immigrant communities throughout the State. Born out of the legal effort at JFK Airport during the Muslim Travel Ban in 2017, our mission is clear: to mobilize New York State’s legal service providers by facilitating communication and information sharing to better support our immigrant communities; to organize and respond to issues as they arise by coordinating resources and fostering best practices among providers; and to resist and challenge anti-immigrant policies by shining a light on injustices and confronting inequalities faced by our communities in the legal system. For more information, visit www.immigrantarc.org.

About New York Immigration Coalition: The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy & advocacy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York. The NYIC serves one of the largest and most diverse newcomer populations in the United States. The multi-racial and multi-sector NYIC membership base includes grassroots and nonprofit community organizations, religious and academic institutions, labor unions, as well as legal and socioeconomic justice organizations. The NYIC not only establishes a forum for immigrant groups to voice their concerns, but also provides a platform for collective action to drive positive social change. Since its founding in 1987, the NYIC has evolved into a powerful voice of advocacy by spearheading innovative policies, promoting and protecting the rights of immigrant communities, improving newcomer access to services, developing leadership and capacity, expanding civic participation, and mobilizing member groups to respond to the fluctuating needs of immigrant communities.