Standing Up to ICE Overreach
New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “These are children we are talking about, and it is our responsibility to protect them by doing everything we can to ensure they have access to legal representation and are kept out of harm’s way. I applaud Governor Hochul for taking swift action to stand up for the dignity and rights of children who are simply seeking a fair chance at a better life. The Department of State’s Office for New Americans has been working diligently to connect those in need with critical legal assistance and resources, because New York has always been, and will continue to be, a welcoming state.”
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “This funding is a testament to the fact that, here in New York, we will not stand idly by while immigrant communities across our state and country are targeted by the cruel actions and volatile rhetoric coming out of Washington. We will not compromise on our core values of justice, dignity and equality, and we have a responsibility to ensure that every person, regardless of immigration status, can live without fear, access essential services, and be a part of the communities that they call home. That responsibility is especially urgent when it comes to the children of our state, who should never be forced to navigate a complex and intimidating legal system alone. Every child deserves someone in their corner to protect their rights, fight for their future, and ensure they receive the due process and legal protections they are entitled to. I am proud to have secured this funding working alongside Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani and Attorney General James, as we continue to protect immigrant families and make clear that New York will remain a safe haven for our immigrant neighbors.”
Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said, “Immigrant communities are under siege by a federal government that has lost sight of the very fabric of our nation. Here in New York, we will continue to fight back, and today’s announcement of $7.25 million for the legal services of unaccompanied minors illustrates just this. Thank you to Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani and Attorney General James for their steadfast leadership in ensuring the vulnerable in our community will receive the representation they deserve as well as their strong stance against the aggressive actions of ICE agents in our state.”
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin said, “The Trump Administration's decision to strip legal representation from unaccompanied children facing immigration proceedings abandons some of the most vulnerable young people imaginable at the moment they need help most. No child should ever have to stand alone in an immigration courtroom simply because they cannot afford a lawyer or because the federal government walked away from its responsibility. I thank Governor Hochul for stepping in to ensure these children are not forced to navigate our legal system alone. New York has always stood for due process, compassion, and the rule of law, and we will continue fighting at every level of government to ensure every child has access to the legal representation they deserve.”
State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda said, “When the federal government chooses to abandon children who are among the most vulnerable members of our society, New York cannot stand by and tolerate this injustice. The Trump Administration’s decision to cancel an essential legal services contract for unaccompanied minors threatens to leave thousands of children without the legal representation they need to navigate an extraordinarily complex immigration system. That is why I strongly commend Governor Kathy Hochul’s initiative to allocate $7.25 million to ensure legal assistance for approximately 1,400 unaccompanied minors. This investment is not only necessary, but also the morally right thing to do. New York is demonstrating that when the federal government fails in its responsibility, our state is prepared to step up, protect our most vulnerable, and safeguard their right to due process. At the same time, we must remain vigilant in the face of the recent increase in operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in our communities and against any abuse or overreach of federal authority.”
State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am proud to live in New York State, where we continue to step up and stand with our immigrant neighbors during this deeply troubling and uncertain time. As the federal government pursues actions that threaten the rights and security of immigrant families, New York is protecting their rights, due process, and ensuring access to critical legal services, including for unaccompanied minors. Our nation is strongest when we remain faithful to our values, uphold the rule of law, and treat every person with dignity and humanity. New York will continue to defend these fundamental principles and ensure that the rights and liberties of all our neighbors are protected. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her continued commitment to standing with and protecting our immigrant neighbors.”
State Senator Robert Jackson said, "The true strength of a democracy is revealed not by the power it exercises, but by the humanity it refuses to surrender. Every child deserves an advocate. Every family deserves due process. Every person deserves to live without fear of arbitrary power. When the federal government abandons that responsibility, New York must be prepared to uphold it. I commend Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, Attorney General James and our immigration advocates for reminding us that New York's laws are more than statutes on a page. They are a covenant between government and the people, a promise that we will defend the vulnerable, protect due process, and draw a clear line against federal overreach."
State Senator James Skoufis said, "There are places within the public sphere that we must collectively agree remain protected. Among those are schools, hospitals, shelters, childcare centers — places where decency and privacy ought to be respected at all times. A kindergarten gate or the doors of a hospital are no place for masked individuals with zip ties, and I stand with the Governor and my colleagues in reaffirming that these protections remain in place."
State Senator Andrew Gounardes said, “It's hard to imagine anything crueler than gutting legal support for unaccompanied kids, but that's exactly what the Trump Administration did. That inhumanity has been at the core of the White House's approach to immigration, and it's heartbreaking to see innocent children pay the price. That's why it's so crucial New York steps up to give these kids the resources they deserve. It's a reflection of our own values: compassion, humanity, and basic decency. Thank you to Governor Hochul for taking swift action."
State Senator Zellnor Myrie said, "For centuries, people from every corner of the world have come to know two words that stand for dignity, freedom and opportunity: 'New York'. Our state has always worked to live up to this promise, and we are more committed than ever to protecting New Yorkers from unconstitutional and unjust treatment by the federal government. Our message is simple: whether you've been here for six months or six generations, New York has your back."
State Senator Julia Salazar said, “It is shameful that several jails across New York have been actively detaining people for ICE, an agency that is ripping families apart and murdering people on the streets. But with Dignity Not Detention going into effect this month, New York’s involvement with immigration detention will finally come to an end. I’m thankful to the Governor and our State and city leaders for taking clear actions to help bolster New York against ICE, and I look forward to passing additional protections for our immigrant communities this coming legislative session.”
State Senator Cordell Cleare said, "I proudly join with the Governor, Leaders and Colleagues in this multifaceted and proactive effort to keep our communities safe, peaceful and thriving by stopping federal immigration enforcement overreach. Policies that are inhumane, vindictive and un-American have no place in New York State! Governor Hochul today again proves her commitment and mettle on this issue with direct investments and policies that will make a difference."
State Senator Nathalia Fernandez said, “Across New York, we have watched ICE agents use force against our neighbors, damage property and make arrests without explanation or due process. The result is fear that reaches far beyond one person or family. Government does not earn trust through fear; it earns trust by respecting the law, honoring human dignity and remaining accountable to the people it serves. I thank Governor Hochul for bringing us together and making clear that New York will not remain silent in the face of federal overreach. We will stand with our immigrant neighbors and defend their rights.”
State Senator Patricia Fahy said, “Protecting our children should be something that we can all agree on, but these are unprecedented times. The rogue tactics from the Trump Administration with immigration enforcement are putting our families, neighbors, and communities at risk. Between masked, armed agents prowling our neighborhoods, snatching immigrants and the detention of our overwhelmingly law-abiding, tax-paying neighbors, the federal government is undermining local law enforcement and fueling public distrust. The Trump Administration’s tactics make our country less safe, less free, and impose a regime of ‘liberty and justice for some.’ While the federal government sues New York to keep ICE officers masked and unaccountable, they have also ended a contract that provides legal services for unaccompanied minors, further proving that their priorities are not immigration enforcement, but fearmongering. Thank you to Governor Hochul for standing strong against these actions with $7.25 million to fill this gap and provide legal services to the 1,400 unaccompanied minors in New York State.”
State Senator Erik Bottcher said, “Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their community and know their rights and dignity will be protected. Thank you to Governor Hochul for standing up against federal immigration enforcement overreach and reaffirming New York’s commitment to protecting our immigrant communities. I also appreciate Senator Pat Fahy and Assemblymember Tony Simone for their work to bring greater transparency and accountability to immigration enforcement, including requiring federal agents operating in New York to remove their masks and clearly identify themselves. We will not allow the despicable actions of this federal administration to erode the fundamental rights of anyone who calls New York home.”
Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said, “Donald Trump is hurting immigrant children to score political points. Kids who are supposed to be finger painting and exploring childhood are now being tasked to navigate a byzantine immigration system without any legal support thanks to the Trump Administration. Our humanity and morality demands better of all New Yorkers, which is why both the state and the city are working in tandem to ensure that immigrant children have access to the legal resources they deserve. I am proud to work with my colleagues in government to protect the rights of the most vulnerable, and we must continue to blunt the impact of Donald Trump’s despicable actions for immigrant families across this state.”
Assemblymember Catalina Cruz said, "I want to thank Governor Hochul for ensuring that unaccompanied minors in New York continue to have access to the legal services they need. This $7.25 million investment will help ensure that 1,400 young people have access to representation and support during an incredibly difficult time in their lives. As we continue to navigate the challenges created by federal immigration policies, it remains critical that New York stays committed to protecting our immigrant communities, while also ensuring that children are not left without the resources they require."
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