No Borders NewsNew York’s governor, along with the city mayor and the state attorney general, said they are pushing back against what they call aggressive federal immigration enforcement. They also reiterated that New York will work to protect immigrant communities in the state.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $7.25 million in new state funding to provide legal services to about 1,400 unaccompanied immigrant children and young people in New York who are in ongoing deportation processes. The announcement includes more than 250 children who are currently detained.
The governor said the funding is meant to keep legal representation available after a federal contract ends. According to the release, the contract was set to expire on July 31, and the state is stepping in to reduce disruption for children who rely on those services.
The release says New York’s Office for New Americans (ONA) will sign contracts totaling $7.25 million with a coalition of legal service providers, led by the Hispanic Federation. The goal is to help children who previously received services under the federal program continue getting representation.
The statement also notes that unaccompanied minors face heightened risks, including exploitation and abuse, and argues that legal representation is important for protecting vulnerable children during immigration proceedings. The release points readers to New York’s broader efforts to support immigrant communities through ONA and its network of providers.