Immigration (Immigrant Services)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 270: Establishes the right to legal counsel in immigration court proceedings and provides for the administration thereof

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.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEstablishes legal counsel right for eligible immigrants in NY immigration proceedings, directly protecting rights during removal hearings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Immigrant Services Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2689: Enacts the building up immigrant legal defense or BUILD act

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands legal defense access for deportation cases, strengthening due process and civil rights in immigration courts, aligning with criminal justice reform principles of fair representation.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProvides grants to expand legal representation for immigrants facing deportation, strengthening access to defense services per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4875: Enacts the "language access expansion act"

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.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires multilingual documents for immigrant services, enhancing access and integration per language access expansion act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2243: Relates to establishing a coordinator for asylum seeker services

This bill would create a state coordinator to help asylum seekers in New York access services. The governor and NYC mayor would jointly appoint the coordinator, who would work with state agencies (like health, education, and housing departments) to streamline support. The coordinator would manage key needs including housing, healthcare, education, language services, and connections to federal programs for people seeking asylum or who are refugees under federal law. The role would also advocate for federal immigration policy changes.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill creates state coordinator to streamline asylum seeker services (housing, healthcare, education) and connect to federal programs, directly advancing immigrant support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Refugees & Asylum Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6766: Relates to providing language translation services to accommodate census self-reporting

This bill requires New York state agencies and localities to provide language translation services for census self-reporting beyond what the U.S. Census Bureau offers, directly affecting limited English proficiency communities. It mandates the Department of State to identify and expand translation services (including all languages used in census forms), connect agencies with these services, and require public notification of availability through online posts and community outreach. State agencies must report annually on translation service usage and improvements to state leaders starting in 2028. The law takes effect April 1, 2027, ensuring accessible census participation for non-English speakers.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExpands language translation services for census self-reporting, directly aiding limited English proficiency immigrant communities in accessing federal data processes and services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8861: Establishes the community accompaniment and post-release support program in the office for new Americans to provide grants to community-based organizations to offer services after immigration detention

Establishes the community accompaniment and post-release support program in the office for new Americans to provide grants to community-based organizations that offer services to individuals released from immigration detention; defines eligible services; requires the office to establish criteria for awarding grants; requires the office to submit an annual report on the program.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProvides grants to community organizations for post-detention support services, directly advancing immigrant integration and post-release assistance95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5972: Relates to providing language translation services to accommodate census self-reporting

This bill (A 5972) requires New York State to expand language translation services for census self-reporting beyond those offered by the U.S. Census Bureau, directly benefiting limited English proficiency speakers across the state. The Department of State must identify and connect communities with translation services in all languages used on census forms, mandate public notices about these services (via online posts and community outreach), and submit annual reports to state leaders starting in 2028. Key mechanisms include state oversight of service identification, mandatory public notification, and annual reporting for improvement planning. The bill takes effect April 1, 2027, and focuses on practical access to census participation.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExpands language translation services for census access, directly benefiting limited English proficiency immigrants by improving their ability to participate in census reporting, aligning with providing immigrant services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7564: Relates to establishing a coordinator for asylum seeker services

This bill establishes a Coordinator of Asylum Seeker Services to oversee and integrate support for asylum seekers in New York State. The Governor and the Mayor of New York City will jointly appoint this coordinator. The coordinator will be responsible for developing a systemic response to various needs, including housing, healthcare, education, language services, and transportation. This role involves integrating efforts across specific state agencies, as well as applicable local and federal agencies, to facilitate resettlement and access to federal programs.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationCreates Coordinator of Asylum Seeker Services to integrate housing, healthcare, and support systems for asylum seekers, advancing immigrant integration and protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Refugees & Asylum

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2466: Relates to guidance to facilities and programs overseen by state agencies on interactions with federal immigration authorities

This bill establishes a new "military immigrant family legacy program" for immigrant families with U.S. military connections, requiring state agencies to ask individuals seeking assistance about military service history. It mandates that agencies protect this information and refer eligible individuals to veterans' services for immigration and benefit assistance. Additionally, the bill requires state agencies to create guidance for handling requests from federal immigration authorities seeking access to people or records at state-run facilities. The policy directly affects immigrant families with military ties and state agencies operating public programs, while ensuring privacy for military status information shared during assistance requests.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill establishes a 'military immigrant family legacy program' providing assistance and referrals for immigrant families, indicating support for immigrant services and protections.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates state agencies to refer military-connected immigrants to veterans' services for benefits/immigration assistance, expanding access to existing veteran support programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Immigrant Services Sanctuary Policies Military Families

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8862: Establishes the immigrant in-home child care training pilot program in the office for new Americans to help immigrants establish licensed in-home daycare services

Establishes the immigrant in-home child care training pilot program in the office for new Americans to provide training, technical assistance, and other support to immigrants seeking to establish licensed in-home daycare services; requires the office to submit an annual report on the program; authorizes the office to accept gifts, grants, devises and bequests and to use monies made available to the program to implement the program.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEstablishes a program to provide training and support to immigrants for establishing licensed in-home daycare services, directly providing immigrant services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services

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