Senator Sanders Hosts Successful Immigration Clinic in Far Rockaway / Expands Services to Every Thursday

State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) hosted a free Immigrant Resource Informational Clinic on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the Battalion Youth Ministries House in Far Rockaway, where lawyers from Queens Law Associates provided one-on-one assistance to address the needs and concerns of Rockaway’s undocumented population. Due to the success of the program, it will be held every Thursday. 
 
Executive Orders signed by the Trump administration have generated confusion and fear among many individuals and families within the 10th Senatorial District. Senator Sanders’ offices have been inundated with calls from families requesting information on how these orders would affect them and their loved ones. Senator Sanders has created this sub-office to meet the needs of these constituents regardless of their legal status and language barriers.
 
“We find ourselves in strange times,” Sanders said. “We need to learn to turn to each other and not on each other. We are going to have to remember that we are neighbors, and we are family, and we invite people in. Under those conditions, I am reminded that my bible tells me that we are supposed to remember the traveler, because we were all travelers at one point.”

The representatives from Queens Law Associates spoke about how to handle situations in which people are approached by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) either at home or elsewhere and the key rights they should keep in mind. For example, one does not have to let ICE into a home unless they have a warrant. Ask that the warrant be slipped under the door. ICE will most likely try to enter without a warrant and needs consent from an adult to enter. Opening the door does not amount to consent.

Lori Zeno, ESQ., Deputy Director of Queens Law Associates, advised keeping key phrases in mind to tell ICE officers when approached such as “I do not want to answer any questions. I do not consent to this. Please leave the house.”  Zeno also told attendees not to lie to ICE, show false documents, run or physically resist arrest.

 
The Immigrant Resource Informational Clinic was conducted in partnership with the Rev. David Cockfield of the Battalion Pentecostal Assembly Church of Far Rockaway.