Velázquez Leads NY House Democrats in Urging Passage of New York for All Act

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) led nine members of New York’s Congressional delegation in a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie urging the immediate passage of the New York for All Act. The legislation would prohibit collaboration between local and state government agencies and federal immigration enforcement, helping to protect immigrant families in New York from Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.

“As members of New York’s Congressional Delegation, we believe that all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, must be able to participate in their communities, provide for their families, and access critical support without intimidation,” the lawmakers wrote.

In the letter, the lawmakers urge state leaders to protect immigrant communities in New York in the face of a nationwide immigration crackdown and increasingly aggressive tactics by the Trump administration.

“We cannot stand idly by while our constituents and colleagues are ensnared by the Trump Administration’s mass deportation dragnet,” the lawmakers continued. “New York must be clear that it will establish critical guardrails to prevent local and state resources from being used for Trump’s mass deportation agenda.”

The New York for All Act would ensure that no New Yorker has to fear detention or deportation when accessing essential services, working with local government, or interacting with law enforcement. It does not prohibit ICE from enforcing federal law, nor does it limit local police from addressing criminal matters—it simply ensures New York’s resources are not diverted for federal deportation operations.

“We urge the New York State Legislature to reject Trump’s efforts to scapegoat our most vulnerable neighbors as a pretense for dismantling our core democratic institutions,” the lawmakers concluded.

In addition to Rep. Velázquez, the letter was signed by Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), George Latimer (NY-16), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Yvette Clarke (NY-11), Grace Meng (NY-06), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15).

For a full copy of the letter, click here.

We are deeply thankful for today’s call by Congresswoman Velázquez and eight additional members of the New York Congressional delegation for standing with us in imploring our state legislature to pass the New York for All Act now to protect New Yorkers from Trump’s mass deportation agenda,” said Linda Flor Brito, Senior Policy and Campaigns Organizer with the Immigrant Defense Project. “ICE entanglement with state and local agencies enables the separation of families, and further perpetuates a cruel double punishment of New Yorkers who are funneled from state prison sentences to ICE. To stop being complicit in this suffering, the legislature must pass New York for All - today - to create meaningful safety for all.”

“We thank Congressmember Velázquez and her New York colleagues for urging State lawmakers to pass the New York for All Act before session ends,” said Rosa Cohen-Cruz, Immigration Policy Director at The Bronx Defenders. “As public defenders who helped build the nation's first immigrant defense program in New York City, we know that disentangling local law enforcement from ICE builds trust and makes all New Yorkers safer. It’s time for New York to lead with dignity and stand against the Trump-era playbook of fear and disappearance.”

Rosie Wang, program manager at the Vera Institute of Justice's Advancing Universal Representation initiative, said: “We applaud the members of the New York Congressional delegation who have shown up for immigrant communities and urged state leadership to swiftly pass the New York for All Act. New York for All would prevent state and local resources from being diverted to assist cruel and escalating federal immigration enforcement. These resources should be invested in strengthening our communities and keeping families safe, rather than tearing them apart. This legislation has never been so urgently needed, and time is running out to protect New York families and preserve trust in state and local institutions. New York State must pass New York for All now, before this legislative window closes, to take this critically needed step in defense of our values and immigrant communities.” 

“Leaders can’t just let the Trump administration wreak havoc on New York’s immigrant communities — the New York For All Act must pass now,” said Zach Ahmad, Senior Policy Counsel at the New York Civil Liberties Union. “Between raiding workplaces, detaining children, and busting down people’s doors without a warrant, this anti-immigrant administration is hellbent on terrorizing New York’s immigrant communities. The Congressional leaders supporting New York 4 All are spot on: New Yorkers deserve to feel safe and protected — not watch the very people who are elected to keep them safe prioritize political interests over their wellbeing.”

Luba Cortes, Civil Rights and Immigration Lead Organizer at Make the Road New York, said, “In a climate of unprecedented ICE enforcement, and the administration’s reckless abuse of power to carry out its mass deportation agenda, state officials must take strong measures to ensure that our immigrant neighbors are safe. We thank the members of the New York Congressional Delegation for showing tremendous leadership by urging state lawmakers to pass the New York for All before the end of the legislative session. All New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, should be able to go to school, work, church, and the hospital without fear that any interaction with law enforcement could lead to them being ripped away from their loved ones and funneled into deportation proceedings.”

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