Strengthens protections against discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on actual or perceived immigration status, and to improve implementation and oversight under the Dignity for All Students Act.
This bill (S 4260) allows unaccompanied immigrant children in federal custody (e.g., shelters or foster care under U.S. agencies like ORR) to directly petition New York family courts to seek a "dependency" status. If granted, courts can issue orders ensuring the child’s safety and care - including placing them in appropriate settings - while maintaining their current federal custody without altering it. The law requires courts to consider the child’s best interests and prohibits automatic referrals to child abuse registries for events occurring outside New York or the U.S. It also mandates legal representation for these children in court proceedings. The bill does not change federal custody arrangements but provides a new legal pathway for children to access court oversight of their care.
This bill establishes a legal right to counsel for eligible immigrants in New York during immigration proceedings. It applies to income-eligible non-citizens or those with significant New York ties (like residents or cases tied to NY courts) facing removal or detention under federal immigration law. The New York State Office for New Americans will administer the program, providing initial consultations and ongoing legal representation starting when a case begins (e.g., upon receiving a "Notice to Appear") and continuing until the case concludes. Legal services must be offered regardless of the proceeding's location, including federal immigration courts outside New York.
Enacts the building up immigrant legal defense or BUILD act to provide competitive workforce development and capacity building grants to eligible entities that are seeking to expand access to representation for individuals facing deportation by increasing the workforce and strengthening the legal services infrastructure needed to provide such representation.
Establishes the New York state ICE-free zones act to prohibit the use of state or municipal property for civil immigration enforcement activity; requires signage to be posted at the entrance to state or municipal property or other areas that are accessible to the public stating that civil immigration enforcement activity is not allowed; provides an exception that civil immigration activity may be conducted on such property pursuant to a valid judicial warrant specifying that such activity may be conducted on such property for a specified purpose.
Enacts the empire state licensing act to provide all New Yorkers with access to professional, occupational, commercial, or business licenses, permits, certificates, or related registrations regardless of an applicant's citizenship or immigration status.
This bill requires businesses selling alcohol and tobacco to accept New York City identity cards as valid proof of age or identification, alongside traditional forms like driver's licenses or passports. It directly affects NYC residents who use the city-issued ID (available to all city residents regardless of immigration status) and businesses that sell age-restricted products. The law amends specific sections of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and Public Health Law to explicitly include "a valid New York city identity card" as an acceptable form of ID for verifying customers are 21+ for alcohol and tobacco purchases. It does not change who can obtain the NYC ID card but expands the types of ID businesses must accept. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Requires certain documents and forms to be provided in the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by limited English proficient immigrants of five years or less according to the American community survey, as published by the United States census bureau.
Prohibits public entities from contracting with airlines that transport individuals who have been detained by U.S. immigration and customs enforcement without being afforded due process rights; prohibits certain sales and use tax exemptions on fuel sold to an airline that transports individuals who have been detained by U.S. immigration and customs enforcement without being afforded due process rights.
Establishes the detention support program in the office for new Americans to provide financial assistance to individuals and families of detained persons, including for bond payments to secure release from detention and travel stipends to facilitate visitation with detained individuals; establishes the detention support program fund.
