For Immediate Release

Contact: media@vera.org

NEW YORK – Today, the New York City Council took a stand against the Trump administration’s relentless attacks on immigrants by passing resolutions in support of two critical state bills—the New York for All Act (NY4A) and the Access to Representation Act (ARA)—that would uphold due process, prohibit using New York’s resources for federal immigration enforcement, and strengthen public safety.

The City Council’s support comes at a crucial moment, as New York State leaders consider essential investments in legal services and public safety as part of state budget negotiations. Advocates called on Governor Kathy Hochul and lawmakers to take action and pass both bills as part of this year’s budget and legislative session.

The resolutions were spearheaded by Councilmembers Shahana Hanif and Crystal Hudson, respectively, and supported by Councilmember Alexa Avilés, Chair of the Immigration Committee, and Speaker Adrienne Adams.

The New York for All Act (NY4A) would ensure that state and local resources are not used to enforce the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda. Federal policies have increasingly pressured local agencies to act as immigration enforcers—undermining public trust, draining resources, and making communities less safe. By prohibiting state and local agencies from assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with raids, deportations, or sharing sensitive information, the bill ensures that public safety resources are directed where they belong: solving serious crimes, reducing gun violence, and responding to emergencies. At a time when law enforcement should be focused on keeping New Yorkers safe, collaborating with immigration authorities only makes it harder to build trust and protect all residents.

The Access to Representation Act (ARA) would guarantee legal services for New Yorkers facing deportation, ensuring that no one is forced to navigate complex court proceedings alone. Unlike in criminal cases, there is no right to a public defender in immigration court—meaning that thousands of New Yorkers, including long-time residents and asylum seekers, are left to fight their cases against the government without legal representation. Studies show that access to an attorney dramatically increases the chances of a fair outcome. Without legal counsel, many people are wrongfully deported, permanently separated from their families, and denied due process. The ARA would provide stability and fairness, ensuring that legal representation is available to all, regardless of income.

“I applaud my colleagues in the New York City Council for their leadership in passing these resolutions to call on Albany to act for immigrant justice,” said Assembly Member Karines Reyes, R.N., Assembly sponsor of the New York for All Act (A3506) and the Chair of the Assembly & Senate’s Puerto Rican / Hispanic Task Force. “As the Trump Administration uses the full weight of the federal government to make life unbearable for vulnerable immigrant New Yorkers, our state can protect our essential workers and keep communities safe. The NY4A Act would guarantee that state and local governments do not collude with ICE in executing civil aspects of federal immigration law. This legislation would build trust between immigrants and government, to ensure that they can continue to be apart of New York’s tapestry, by working in vital jobs, allow their kids to attend school without fear, report crimes, and so many more important functions. I am hopeful that my colleagues in the Legislature and Governor Hochul will heed the Council’s call and pass this critical legislation into law.”

Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said: “I’m grateful to my colleagues in the City Council who voted today to send a clear message to those of us in Albany that it is time to step up and protect immigrant New Yorkers by passing the Access to Representation Act (S.141). 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. The need for legal representation for those facing deportation is greater than ever as Donald Trump and his administration weaponize the federal government to target immigrants. We must commit to making proper investments in immigrant legal services before it is too late.”

“As we face a violent and economically disastrous mass deportation agenda, inflicted on NYC by the President and Mayor alike, it is crucial that our state equips immigrant New Yorkers with the resources to defend their rights,” said Chair of NYC Council Immigration Committee Alexa Avilés. “New York for All and the Access to Representation Act will both strengthen much-needed public safety protections in our communities. I congratulate my colleagues Council Member Hanif and Hudson on the passage of their resolutions while urging my colleagues in the state legislature to bring these bills to fruition. We cannot wait to protect New Yorkers from the harms of mass deportation. Every person deserves to access public resources safely and the protection of representation in the face of our inequitable court system.”

“I’m proud to have led the efforts to advance Resolution 714A in the New York City Council and urge our representatives in Albany to swiftly pass the New York For All Act,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “Our state and local resources should not be weaponized for the Trump administration’s disgraceful family separation agenda. It’s time for the Governor and Albany to enact the New York for All Act to make New York a genuine sanctuary state so that all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, can live without fear.”

Rosie Wang, Program Manager, Advancing Universal Representation initiative, Vera Institute of Justice said: “The Trump administration’s relentless anti-immigrant agenda has put millions at risk of mass deportation, permanent family separation, and indefinite detention. These attacks destabilize communities, weaken local economies, and make everyone less safe. We applaud the New York City Council for taking action and urge state leaders to do the same by investing $165 million in immigration legal services and passing these critical bills this session. Ensuring access to legal representation and ensuring that state and local resources are not wasted on partnering with ICE on enforcement is essential to protecting families, strengthening communities, and upholding fundamental due process.”

Rev. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director, The Inter faith of New York said: “The Interfaith Center of New York stands in support of the New York for All Act and the Access to Representation Act recognizing that our legal system must hold fast to protect the rights of all New Yorkers at a time when those rights have never been more precarious.”

Zach Ahmad, Senior Policy Counsel at the New York Civil Liberties Union, said: “Trump has said himself that his second administration will tear apart and destroy New York’s immigrant communities — and it's already happening. We thank the New York City Council for using their voices to urge passage of the New York for All Act and Access to Representation Act, which together would prohibit state and local law enforcement from colluding with ICE and ensure that New Yorkers facing deportation have lawyers by their sides. All New Yorkers deserve to feel safe and protected — not to be torn apart by a racist regime intent on demonizing the very communities that define the fabric of New York.”

Linda Flor Brito, Senior Policy & Campaigns Organizer at the Immigrant Defense Project said: The New York for All Act is the legislative response necessary to ensure that ALL New Yorkers are able to live a life without constant fear of being ripped away from their families. The Trump administration continues to carry out its racist attacks on immigrant communities, inciting fear and panic, destabilizing communities, and tearing families apart. We applaud the city council for recognizing the urgency of this moment and taking action to pass this resolution. We urge the NY State legislature to follow the leadership and courage of the council and prove that it can rise to the call of duty to protect all New Yorkers in the face of federal attacks on our communities.

Luba Cortes, Lead Immigration Organizer at Make the Road New York, said “I’m proud to stand with the NYC Council as they are expected to pass two resolutions urging Albany to take action to confront the federal attacks on immigrants. In New York City we have been defending our laws that limit ICE-NYPD collaboration, but we can’t stop there. But we deserve one state-wide standard for all New York residents. We as a state should not collaborate with ICE or Trump’s deportation machine. The New York for All Act is how we keep New Yorkers out of the deportation pipeline. Immigrants should not be afraid to go to schools, hospitals, or courts because of the threat that state officials might use resources to aid separating families and tearing apart communities. We urge the Governor and Legislature to follow suit and pass New York for All in the budget this year.”

Rosa Cohen-Cruz, Immigration Policy Director at The Bronx Defenders said, “Sanctuary laws are proven to protect due process, public safety, and allow people to engage in every day life no matter their immigration status. The New York for All Act creates a statewide, bright-line, enforceable rule that we desperately need. Without it, ICE will continue exploiting state and local agencies to target New Yorkers. Our communities cannot wait--Albany must take action and pass The New York for All Act now.”

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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 Advocates Response Collective (ARC) launched the CARE for Immigrant Families campaign, a coalition of more than 100 advocacy organizations, religious groups, and elected officials united to pass the Access to Representation Act. The bill (S999A/A170A) 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.