Ensure legal representation for New Yorkers facing deportation

The Trump administration has made it clear that it wants to deport as many non-white immigrants as possible, as quickly as it can, regardless of how many lives are shattered in the process. Yet many New Yorkers can’t afford to hire immigration attorneys who can help with their cases.

No one should be separated from family and have their life upended without their day in court – 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.

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The federal government has made it clear that it wants to deport as many non-white immigrants as possible, as quickly as it can, regardless of how many lives are shattered in the process. Yet many New Yorkers can’t afford to hire immigration attorneys who can help with their cases.

No one should be separated from family and have their life upended without their day in court – 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 isn’t available to everyone, and it is too vulnerable to Albany horse-trading.

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 (S7261 / A9125) 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]

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