NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Hundreds of New Yorkers marched through Albany on Wednesday, urging the state legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul to pass key bills aimed at protecting immigrant communities.
The rally comes as concerns grow over President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed immigration policies, which could lead to mass deportations and family separations.
“Governor Hochul and the New York State legislature must take bold and immediate action to safeguard all New Yorkers and the future of every New York family, regardless of their immigration status,” Murad Awawdeh, president of New York Immigration Coalition, said. “Enacting these bills will reinforce our commitment to the values that define New York and ensure the well-being of New York families, businesses, and communities. By advancing humane and compassionate common-sense solutions, New York can lead the nation and show the rest of the country what it means to be a truly welcoming place with a thriving economy,”
The marchers called for immediate action on four bills pending in the legislature: the New York for All Act, the Dignity Not Detention Act, the Access to Representation Act, and the Clemency Justice Act.
The New York for All Act seeks to shield immigrants from being funneled into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody by prohibiting state and local agencies from cooperating with ICE or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Supporters argue the bill would prevent state resources from contributing to what they describe as “cruel and inhumane” federal immigration practices.
The Dignity Not Detention Act aims to end ICE’s contracts with local jails, halting the state’s involvement in profiting from detention agreements. The bill also seeks to reduce ICE’s detention capacity within New York, reflecting growing opposition to private detention contracts.
Another bill, the Access to Representation Act, would create a right to legal counsel for immigrants at risk of deportation in New York State immigration courts. It would also ensure funding for sustainable and high-quality immigration legal services, a critical step advocates say is necessary to provide due process and fair representation for vulnerable individuals.
The Clemency Justice Act proposes a fair, transparent, and accessible clemency application process in New York. Advocates argue this is crucial for New Yorkers facing deportation due to the intersection of the criminal and immigration legal systems, which often impose “double punishment” on immigrants.
As the legislative session progresses, activists continue to pressure lawmakers to act swiftly. They argue that New York must stand as a leader in defending immigrant rights, particularly in the face of federal policies they describe as harmful and unjust.