IMMIGRANT ARC’S RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S "STATE OF THE STATE" ADDRESS
New York, NY - January 11, 2023 - Immigrant ARC was encouraged to hear Governor Hochul propose an increase in funding for immigration legal services in her Executive Budget and for highlighting the need to support free community-based legal services. We are disappointed, however, that she did not mention this in her “State of the State” address.
To ensure this vision for free community-based legal services becomes reality, we call on the Governor to include $55 Million to fund the first year of implementation of the Access to Representation Act (ARA) in her proposed budget. The bill, introduced by Assembly Member Catalina Cruz and Senator Brad Hoylman, would be a first in the nation law establishing a state-based right to counsel for New Yorkers facing deportation. In addition to the ARA, we are asking Governor Hochul to increase existing funding streams to $45 Million, including an increase in Office for New Americans funding from $12 million to $35 Million, and $10 Million to establish rapid response networks during migration surges such as those experienced this past summer and fall. This added funding is critical to assist individuals not facing deportation navigate a complex system as they apply for the benefits they are entitled to under current law, and also to help create the infrastructure necessary to deploy in times of need.
“Providing access to legal help is one of the most meaningful ways the State can support its existing and new immigrant communities. As federal policies have become more complex and more punitive, and as pandemic-era delays linger, backlogs grow, and migration flows increase because of instability abroad, it is imperative that we provide immigrant New Yorkers with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their legal options and to help them obtain legal status when they qualify. Providers are at capacity, and our field is shrinking as few resources and mounting, urgent needs take a toll on the legal services workforce. This much needed investment of funding and long-term commitment, in the form of groundbreaking legislation, is desperately needed to ensure New York continues to lead the country in showing how to welcome with dignity and compassion,” said Immigrant ARC Executive Director Camille Mackler.
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Immigrant ARC is a collaborative of over 80 organizations and professional associations providing legal services to New York’s immigrant communities throughout the State. Born out of the legal effort at JFK Airport during the Muslim Travel Ban in 2017, our mission is clear: to mobilize New York State’s legal service providers by facilitating communication and information sharing to better support our immigrant communities; to organize and respond to issues as they arise by coordinating resources and fostering best practices among providers; and to resist and challenge anti-immigrant policies by shining a light on injustices and confronting inequalities faced by our communities in the legal system.
CONTACT: press@immigrantarc.org.
