New York Introduces New ICE Protection for Immigrants

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced two new measures to protect immigrants from being harassed by US immigration and customs agents (ICE), writes Pix11.

Photo: Twitter / @ NYGovCuomo

In New York, they will create special centers of opportunity for new Americans (Office for New Americans), where migrants will be advised on various issues and assist in paperwork, they can also be assigned special lawyers who will provide urgent legal services for migrants arrested ICE staff.

Within the framework of the Cuomo Protection of Freedom program, regional human rights organizations and lawyers were selected for the implementation of the rapid response program. They will respond to unforeseen enforcement actions by the ICE.

Also throughout the state, 21 will open a center of opportunity that will provide basic services, information and instructions for immigrants.

“As long as the federal government continues to threaten our immigrant communities, New York will not stop fighting to protect the rights of new Americans,” Cuomo said.

“Through this new program and expanded Opportunity Centers, we are ensuring a vulnerable immigrant population has access to the legal help and services they need to reach their full potential in New York,” the Governor said.

A rapid response program for the provision of emergency legal services to immigrants

Seven human rights organizations have been selected that must provide at least 15 lawyers to assist immigrants who are at risk in every region of the state.

These human rights organizations will also provide legal support and direct representation in the courts for children separated from their parents and their families, as well as hold seminars and trainings on what to do when ICE agents approach.

Lawyers were provided by the following human rights organizations:

• New York City: CUNY Citizenship Now and the Research Foundation of the City of New York provided one attorney.
• Long Island: Empire Justice Center provides two lawyers.
• Hudson valley: Neighbors Link provides two lawyers.
• Capital region: Prisoner's Legal Services of New York will provide two lawyers to respond to the increasing number of detention migrants seeking asylum.
• Northern District: Prisoner's Legal Services of New York will provide one attorney.
• Mahok valley: There have not yet been any applications for dedicated lawyers, but proper service to the region will be provided.
• Central New York: Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society provides two lawyers in connection with the increasing number of ICE raids.
• Finger Lake: The Legal Aid Society of Rochester will provide two lawyers due to the increasing number of arrests and detentions of migrants.
• Western New York: Journey's End Refugee Services will provide two lawyers.
• South tier: Journey's End Refugee Services will provide one attorney.

Centers of opportunity

Additional community based centers of opportunity provide services, including legal advice, naturalization assistance, community workshops, and civic education.

The list of such centers:

• New York City: Mercy Center, Inc. (Bronx); Chinese-American Planning Council (Brooklyn and Manhattan); Arab American Association of NY, Inc. (Brooklyn); Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (Manhattan); Queens Community House (Queens); Make the Road New York (Queens); and MinKwon Center for Community Action, Inc. (Queens).
• Long Island: Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN) (Nassau district) and Make the Road New York (Suffolk district)
• Hudson Valley: Catholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese of NY (Datches county and Orange county); Neighbors Link (Westchester County); and Make the Road New York (Westchester County).
• Central region: US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants - Albany Field Office (Albany district).
• Machock Valley: Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees (Oneida district).
• Central New York: Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, NY (Onondaga district).
• Finger Lakes: Catholic Charities Diocese of Rochester dba Catholic Family Center (Monroe district).
• Western New York: Jericho Road Ministries (Erie district).
• South Tyer: The Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester (Tompkins and Tioga counties) and the American Civic Association (Broome district).

Each year, each center will hold at least 10 consultation days on immigration law issues.

Help in naturalization: centers of opportunity will assist migrants in applying for citizenship, including the N400, N600 forms, as well as the DACA program. The centers will provide information on available financial resources covering the costs of naturalization. Each center is expected to submit at least 100 completed applications to USCIS annually. Applications for citizenship and DACA will be prepared by qualified representatives accredited by the Department of Justice or immigration lawyers.

Public workshops: Each center will offer eight public workshops each year. The seminars will discuss the topics of parents' interaction with schools, financial literacy, preparation for natural disasters, protection of consumers and opportunities for teaching children of migrants.

Classes of preparation for citizenship: The centers will offer at least one class a year for green card holders who are preparing for the naturalization exam.

Immigration / Federal Immigration Policy Seminars: At least four seminars on immigration law and information on federal immigration policy will be held in each center. Topics may include: developing an emergency plan for the family; power of attorney; knowledge of your rights and obligations if immigration officers come to your home or work; what to do if you are arrested; how to find a family member in custody.

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