Ensure legal representation for New Yorkers facing deportation

No one should be separated from family and have their life upended without their day in court. But many New Yorkers can’t afford to hire immigration attorneys who can help with their cases. New York must guarantee legal assistance to immigrant New Yorkers facing deportation. Since 2017, New York State has offered immigrant legal services through the Liberty Defense Project, but it’s not enough to meet the legal needs of everyone across the state, and Albany isn’t required to keep funding it year after year.

Tell lawmakers to make legal representation a right for New Yorkers facing deportation.

Message Recipients:
Sender's Legislative Representatives

[The Form Label field is hidden on ACLU message action forms]

Your Message

Subject

Message

Since 2017, New York State has offered immigrant legal services through the Liberty Defense Project, but it isn’t available to everyone, and it is too vulnerable to Albany horse-trading.

New Yorkers have a right to an attorney in criminal court cases if they can’t afford one -- it’s past time that we gave undocumented people in immigration proceedings those same protections. Without access to a lawyer, undocumented New Yorkers are being denied a fair day in court.

Having a lawyer in deportation proceedings significantly increases the chances of undocumented New Yorkers winning their cases. Without an attorney, approximately 85 percent of people lose their court cases and are ordered deported -- often to dangerous situations in the countries from which they emigrated. With a lawyer, the result is far more positive -- nearly 80 percent of people win their cases, meaning they can remain safely in New York with their families and communities.

I urge you to pass the Access to Representation Act (S. 81B/A. 01961A) this session. The threat to immigrants from the Trump administration is too great, and the stakes for families too high to subject anyone to deportation without representation.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

Your Information

Already a supporter?

If we already have your information, just enter your email address and click to send this message now.

This system requires that you provide your name and contact information. This information will not be used for any purpose other than to identify you to the recipient.

(required by some officials)

ABOUT HONORIFIC TITLES

Many public officials use "web mail forms" that this system will send your message to, so you don't have to visit their web sites to communicate with them. The systems that some of these officials use requires that the honorific field be used (Mr., Mrs., Miss, etc.).

Unfortunately, we do not have control of which honorific titles are presented as options. We must adhere to what the officials are using in order for your message to be delivered.

Salutation *

First name *

Last name *

E-mail address *

Address *

Address Line 2

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Phone *

Phone Type *

Show my name in a list of action takers.

If I've entered a mobile phone number, I allow the ACLU and its representatives to contact me via text messages and mobile phone calls about ways to take action and support the ACLU.

Leave this field blank

Ensure legal representation for New Yorkers facing deportation

Recent participants