Senator Parker Commends the Governor on His Immigration Initiative

Parker Renews Request for the Senate to Pass the NY DREAM Act and S.1479 Protecting Immigrants from fraudsters in NY

For Immediate Release: August 2, 2012

(Albany, NY) -New York recently launched an initiative to help protect illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children from fraudulent immigration service providers.  The initiative is in response to President Obama's executive order that permits this classification of illegal immigrants (commonly known as Dreamers) to obtain visas and work documents. “I commend the Governor for taking this important step toward protecting New Americans in our state,” stated Parker. “The next important step is to pass my legislation, S.1479 and the New York DREAM Act,” continued Parker.

Senator Parker’s legislation takes the Governor’s initiative one step further.  Senate Bill 1479 which he first introduced in 2006, would require immigration assistance providers to obtain a license from the state of New York, disclose any prior convictions, and file a surety bond with the Secretary of State. The bill would additionally require the state to provide a regularly updated list of licensed immigration service providers as well as establish a procedure for filing and investigating complaints in a timely manner. Lastly, the legislation would allow those aggrieved of wrongdoing by an unlawful or fraudulent immigration service provider to seek a civil legal action in addition to criminal sanctions.

“I believe my legislation coupled with the New York DREAM Act would be a great way to continue protecting our New Americans” Stated Parker. Similar to the President’s executive order, New York’s DREAM Act (S.4179D) provides dignity and opportunity to undocumented youth. The New York DREAM Act if passed, would give certain undocumented youth access to state financial aid programs. This bill would provide access to education which has been linked to increased productivity in the workplace, a larger workforce and economic prosperity for our state. Senator Parker is a cosponsor and staunch advocate for this legislation’s passage.

“As the Chair of the Democratic Task Force on New Americans, I will continue to advocate for the passage of the New York State DREAM Act, Senate Bill 1479 and all other legislation that benefits New Americans.” Parker stated. “We should never forget that immigrants are the past, present, and future of our great state and nation. We remain indebted to them and should protect them as our own” concluded Parker.

About Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse community that consists of 311,000 constituents in Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington and Borough Park. He is the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, former Majority Whip and Chair of the Democratic Task Force on New Americans.

FROM THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR KEVIN PARKER (D-21)

Contact: Ricja Rice ‌‌‌‌‌| rrice@nysenate.gov | 518-455-2580 ph |518-426-6843 fax

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