Immigration (Immigrant Services)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4737: Ensures language assistance services by state agencies and requires state agencies to maintain records and to submit an annual report on language services

Ensures language assistance services by state agencies; requires state agencies to maintain records of the primary language spoken by any individual seeking such assistance; requires state agency to submit an annual report on language services.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill ensures language assistance services for state agency clients, aiding immigrants in accessing services and supporting integration, aligning with immigrant service indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4014: Enacts the "Equal Access to Health and Human Services for Limited English Speaking Individuals Act"

Enacts the "Equal Access to Health and Human Services for Limited English Speaking Individuals Act"; directs certain state agencies to provide language assistance services for persons seeking family assistance, health or labor services; requires record keeping; requires free translation for 22 languages.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates language assistance for health services access, removing barriers for limited English speakers and improving patient access to healthcare services.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationMandates language assistance for limited English speakers accessing state health/human services, directly aiding immigrant access to essential services without restricting immigration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 864: Establishes an immigrant integration advisory board for each economic development region

Bill A 864 requires each regional economic development council in New York to establish an immigrant integration advisory board. Each board, composed of nine members appointed from immigrant communities within the region, must meet quarterly and submit annual reports to the council with specific recommendations. These reports must address improving educational opportunities, English language learning, workforce development, job access, and entrepreneurship support for immigrants. The boards advise councils on policies to advance economic, social, and civic integration of foreign-born residents in their region.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationCreates immigrant integration advisory boards to improve education, language, workforce access for immigrants per bill summary95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates immigrant workforce development, job access, and entrepreneurship support through regional advisory boards, directly advancing employment standards and job opportunities for immigrants.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Workforce Development

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 2, 2026

A 176: Provides eligibility for state or local public benefits regardless of immigration status

This bill allows New York state agencies, municipalities, and public authorities to provide state or local public benefits (like food assistance or housing support) to people regardless of their immigration status, as long as they would qualify under federal law if not for immigration restrictions. It gives these entities discretion to offer such benefits to individuals who would otherwise be eligible under federal definitions (specifically referencing the federal PRWORA law). The policy change directly affects immigrants and local governments by removing a barrier to accessing essential services within New York State.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands housing support eligibility to all qualifying individuals regardless of immigration status, directly increasing access to affordable housing programs under state/local benefits.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly removes immigration status barriers for state benefits, enabling access to services like food/housing support and overriding federal PRWORA restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Immigrant Services Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1650: Provides for support and services for unaccompanied minors with no lawful immigration status

S 1650 creates new state-funded support services for unaccompanied minors in New York - defined as children under 18 without lawful immigration status who entered the U.S. without a parent/guardian or were separated from them. The bill requires New York to provide legal representation in immigration court and appeals, along with health services, counseling, language assistance, school enrollment help, and employment support - all delivered in a culturally competent, trauma-informed way. It mandates informational materials in multiple languages for agencies and explicitly states these services won’t count as "public benefits" that could harm immigration status under federal law. The law applies directly to unaccompanied minors in New York’s care, including those under federal custody before being released to sponsors.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly includes 'school enrollment help' for unaccompanied minors, directly expanding educational access for a vulnerable population as defined in the topic.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill creates state-funded support services including legal representation, health, counseling, and school enrollment for unaccompanied minors without lawful immigration status, directly providing immigrant services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6145: Provides for the regulation of the licensure and practice of immigration providers by the department of state

Provides for the regulation of the licensure and practice of immigration providers by the department of state in order to protect immigrants from exploitation.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRegulates immigration providers to protect immigrants from exploitation, directly aligning with 'protects immigrant rights' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2025

S 791: Relates to the Alex R. Jimenez New York state military immigrant family legacy program

This bill establishes the "Staff Sergeant Alex R. Jimenez New York State Military Immigrant Family Legacy Program" within New York's Office for New Americans. It creates designated liaisons between the Office for New Americans, the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, and the Department to refer military-connected immigrants (including active service members, veterans, reserve members, and their families) needing immigration assistance. The program coordinates access to existing legal services, maintains a multilingual hotline/website for resources, and tracks referrals to help intended recipients secure legal immigration status, including U.S. citizenship. The bill clarifies and operationalizes this coordination mechanism without changing eligibility or benefits.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEstablishes program providing immigration legal assistance coordination for military-connected immigrants, directly advancing immigrant services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 958: Relates to making certain housing programs available regardless of immigration status

Relates to making certain housing programs available regardless of immigration status; provides that local social services districts in a city with a population of five million or more shall be permitted to offer certain housing programs to individuals or families who would be eligible but for a federal law restricting eligibility based on immigration.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves immigration status barriers to housing program eligibility, expanding access to affordable housing services for eligible individuals/families.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill enables housing programs for immigrants barred by federal law, expanding access to state services regardless of immigration status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4538: 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 ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides competitive grants for immigrant legal defense, increasing public service funding allocation under budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProvides grants to expand legal representation for immigrants facing deportation, strengthening access to defense services and legal infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Immigrant Services Sanctuary Policies

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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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