Westchester Working With Immigrants 2015 Summit

(Valhalla - September 3rd) Senator Stewart-Cousins spoke at the Westchester Working With Immigrants 2015 Summit on September 3rd at the Gateway Center at Westchester Community College. Organized by the New York Immigration Coalition, the Summit was a good opportunity for providers and immigrants to discuss the needs and services available in our county.

In her speech, the Senator emphasized how New York became a national economic driver because immigrants came to the state, unleashed their potential and made the state, region and country prosper as a result. She noted that 1 in 4 workers in New York State are foreign-born, and that over 30% of New York State business owners are immigrants. Here in New York State, the Office for New Americans is helping new New Yorkers navigate the challenges as new residents. In its first year alone, more than 34,000 immigrants were assisted by state services. Legislation the Senator voted for helped create new protections for immigrants to try and prevent them from becoming victims of unscrupoulous immigration service providers who take their money and provide little to no service in return.