New Immigrant Defense Coalition formed by State Senate IDC

ALBANY, NY — The eight members of the New York Senate Independent Democratic Conference are starting an initiative to protect immigrant communities across New York State in the wake of President Donald Trump's anti-immigration policies.

The IDC’s new Immigrant Defense Coalition is now operating out of each member’s district office to provide legal services, resources and any assistance to immigrants and their families.

The eight-member IDC is led by State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) and includes Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester).

The new service in each of the eight offices represents real action and help for New Yorkers on a day when other Senate Democrats took a soft, indirect approach of attaching hostile amendments to Senate resolutions in protest, the IDC said in its announcement.

“Providing important services is taking action directly to community members who are affected by the president’s executive orders. I am proud to take these important steps towards protecting immigrant New Yorkers and I look forward to continuing to find innovative ways towards combatting these destructive actions from the President,” said Carlucci.

• Carlucci's district offices are at 20 South Main St., New City , NY 10956, Phone: 845-623-3627; and 2 Church St., Ossining , NY 10562, Phone: 914-941-2041
• Klein's District Office is at 1250 Waters Place, Suite 1202, Bronx , NY 10461. Phone: (718) 822-2049

IDC member’s district offices will provide legal services from partner immigration organizations to assist immigrants one-on-one with immigration related issues such as visa, green cards, deportation and questions on the impacts of the President Trump’s immigration related executive orders. In addition, the IDC will again in this year’s budget prioritize funding for immigration groups that provide necessary services for New Yorkers.

Each IDC member will also hold a “Know Your Rights” workshop in their respective districts on the same day so that community members know the services that they are providing and that their Senate offices are a place to find help.

“President Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric came to life this weekend through his un-American executive order banning immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States and through his demonization of Mexicans with renewed vigor and plans to build a wall on our border," said Klein. "This level of intolerance starkly contrasts with the core values of our nation, one which has always embraced those who seek refuge here. All eight members of the Independent Democratic Conference will create the ‘Immigrant Defense Coalition’ to protect and defend immigrants in New York. Our offices will each offer services to immigrants who need assistance during this troubling time. Already, the IDC provided the Vera Institute of Justice’s New York Immigrant Family Unity Project with $250,000 to provide legal assistance to immigrants facing deportation, and this year the IDC will prioritize funding for other groups that provide similar services to immigrants in New York."