November 6, 2024
ALBANY– Governor Hochul today responded to the 2024 election results by saying she is “committing to safeguarding the rights, freedoms and values we hold dear – no matter what lies ahead.” In a speech Wednesday afternoon, she said she will focus on key areas likely to face threats from the Trump administration – including immigration – and will do “whatever we have to do to identify any possible threats to these rights and protections for New Yorkers – including legislation.”
We therefore call on the Governor to make good on this commitment by immediately expressing her support for the New York for All Act A.5686 / S.987 — a critical bill that would protect immigrant New Yorkers by prohibiting all local law enforcement and state agencies from colluding with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Trump is committed to targeting and terrorizing our communities with mass detention and deportation. New York must take urgent and unequivocal action to make it clear that we will take every possible action to protect our communities.
In the last year alone, we have seen a stark uptick in xenophobic language targeting immigrant New Yorkers, instilling fear that engaging with local services or calling 911 will put immigrant New Yorkers at risk of detention and deportation as they go about their daily lives. This climate of fear has made all New Yorkers less safe.
The New York State Legislature has failed to pass New York For All for over 4 years, despite overwhelming support by New Yorkers – including local elected leaders across the state, labor unions and workers centers, domestic and gender-based violence organizations, and immigrant rights advocates across our state.
The following is a statement from the NY4All Coalition:
“Governor Hochul has an opportunity now – before Trump takes office – to communicate to the legislature her unwavering support for New York for All, and make a commitment that something as simple as a traffic stop on the way to work, or visiting a public hospital, would not lead to immigrant New Yorkers being ripped away from their families. We must make clear that New York refuses to do Trump’s dirty work by actively colluding with ICE to harm our communities and separate families. Instead, Governor Hochul has a welcome opportunity to build trust between our state government and the communities it serves. The time is now.”
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