Immigration

in committee · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 4260: Relates to allowing unaccompanied children in custody to petition the family court

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.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill provides legal pathway for unaccompanied immigrant children to seek court-ordered safety/care in NY, protecting their rights and welfare without altering federal custody.95% confidence

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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 · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8539: Establishes the New York state ICE-free zones act

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.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state/municipal property use for ICE enforcement, limiting federal cooperation - key support indicator for immigrant protections95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 675: Relates to enacting the empire state licensing act; repealer

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.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves immigration status barriers for professional licensing, enabling access to services for all New Yorkers per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4553: Requires New York city identity cards to be accepted as valid written evidence of age or identification

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.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAllows undocumented immigrants to use NYC ID for age verification, expanding access to services without immigration status barriers95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4456: Requires undocumented immigrants to submit to the same level of background checks as lawful immigrants in order to use certain state resources

This bill requires undocumented immigrants to pass the same background checks as lawful immigrants to access certain state benefits, including medical assistance, family support, and safety net programs. To qualify, applicants must verify they have no unaddressed substance use disorders (if receiving treatment), no ties to terrorist groups or totalitarian parties, no felony convictions, and no false claims of citizenship. These checks apply specifically to state-funded programs under the social services law, not federal benefits.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts healthcare access for undocumented immigrants by requiring background checks for state medical assistance programs, limiting eligibility.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts undocumented immigrants' access to state benefits by imposing mandatory background checks, including felony and terrorism checks, limiting service eligibility.90% confidence

Sub-Topics DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs Work Authorization

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4814: Enacts the "New York state Palestinian refugee relocation prevention act"

Enacts the "New York state Palestinian refugee relocation prevention act"; provides that no state or local agency, authority, or official shall cooperate with, or provide any assistance to, the federal government in the relocation or resettlement of Palestinian refugees within the state of New York; requires that federal funds allocated for the resettlement of Palestinian refugees in New York shall be rejected and returned to the federal government; imposes a temporary moratorium on the admission to any institution of higher education in this state of Palestinian students and scholars; makes related provisions.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill prohibits state cooperation with federal refugee resettlement, rejects related funds, and imposes moratorium on Palestinian refugee relocation, restricting state-level immigration services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Refugees & Asylum

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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 8188: Enacts the state airport facilities enforcing accountability in immigration removals (SAFE AIR) act

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.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits public contracts with airlines transporting ICE-detained individuals without due process, limiting state cooperation with federal enforcement and protecting immigrant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement

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