Protecting New York's Immigrant Communities

Last week, Governor Cuomo announced three important steps to help protect immigrant communities in New York: creating a unit in the State Police to investigate hate crimes, expanding New York State's human rights law to protect students, and establishing a legal defense fund for immigrants. I applaud Governor Cuomo for acting proactively to assure New Yorkers their safety, their rights, and their well-being are our priority.

In keeping with that spirit, I'm proud to stand with colleagues, advocates, and community partners to further protect New York's immigrant communities. In proposing increased state funding for the Vera Institute of Justice's New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP), we help secure critical public defender services and uplift values that have been part of New York for generations.