Immigration (Immigrant Services)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 8, 2025

S 141: Establishes the right to legal counsel in immigration court proceedings and provides for the administration thereof

This New York state bill (S 141) establishes a right to free legal help for eligible immigrants facing removal proceedings in New York. It directly affects income-eligible non-citizens detained in New York, those with strong New York ties (like being a state resident or having a case heard there), or those transferred from New York to federal immigration detention. The law requires the state to provide ongoing legal representation starting when a case begins (e.g., upon receiving a "Notice to Appear") and covers all immigration court stages, including appeals. Legal services must be provided by state-designated providers to individuals earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationThe bill establishes a right to free legal counsel for eligible immigrants in removal proceedings, directly protecting immigrant rights and providing services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Immigrant Services Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 168: Makes migrant youth under the age of 25 eligible to receive housing vouchers under the family homelessness and eviction prevention supplement ("FHEPS") program

Makes migrant youth under the age of 25 who are receiving runaway and homeless youth services eligible to receive housing vouchers under the family homelessness and eviction prevention supplement ("FHEPS") program.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands housing voucher eligibility under FHEPS to migrant youth under 25 experiencing homelessness, directly increasing affordable housing access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationThe bill makes 'migrant youth' eligible for housing vouchers, which directly provides a service to immigrants and supports their integration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4251: Relates to providing voting materials and assistance in Haitian Creole in a city having a population of one million or more persons

S 4251 requires election boards in cities with over one million residents to provide all voting information - including registration forms, ballots, and website content - in Haitian Creole to ensure Haitian Creole speakers can participate effectively. It mandates a citywide booklet with voter registration forms (English with Haitian Creole instructions), absentee ballot guidelines, and FAQs in Haitian Creole. Additionally, polling locations in counties with at least 5% Haitian-identifying residents must offer Haitian Creole interpreters during elections. The bill applies specifically to large cities and counties meeting the population threshold, focusing on concrete language access for voters.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill S 4251 provides voting materials in Haitian Creole, enhancing civic participation for Haitian Creole speakers, many of whom are immigrants, thereby supporting immigrant integration and rights.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3989: Requires state agencies to develop plans for new Americans

Requires state agencies to develop plans for new Americans that incorporates effective training and resources, ensures culturally and linguistically competent and appropriate services, and includes administrative practices that reach out to and reflect the needs of immigrant populations and populations with limited English proficiency.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill mandates state agencies to develop plans, services, and resources for 'new Americans' and 'immigrant populations,' directly supporting immigrant integration and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Immigrant Services Refugees & Asylum

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2582: Provides for support and services for unaccompanied minors with no lawful immigration status

This New York State bill (A 2582) creates a state-funded system to provide support services for unaccompanied minors (children under 18 with no lawful U.S. immigration status who entered without parents/guardians or were separated from them). It mandates free legal representation in immigration court, health services, counseling, school enrollment assistance, and trauma-informed care - delivered through an immigration services liaison. The bill requires multilingual informational materials and ensures services won't affect immigration status under federal law. It directly affects minors in New York's custody or care who face federal immigration proceedings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates school enrollment assistance and multilingual materials for unaccompanied minors, directly enhancing educational access for a vulnerable population.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health services including trauma-informed care for unaccompanied minors, directly expanding healthcare access for a vulnerable population.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill A 2582 creates a state-funded system to provide comprehensive support services, including legal representation and health services, for unaccompanied minors with no lawful immigration status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs Immigrant Services

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 5535: 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 ImmigrationThe bill expands language access for limited English proficient immigrants, directly providing immigrant services and supporting immigrant integration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 861: Relates to services available to immigrants residing in certain family and adult shelter facilities

Relates to services available to immigrants residing in certain family and adult shelter facilities; requires the office of New Americans to establish a program to deliver comprehensive case management services to immigrants residing in certain shelters.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill requires the Office of New Americans to establish a program to deliver comprehensive case management services to immigrants in shelters, directly supporting immigrant services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Immigrant Services Refugees & Asylum

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4093: Enacts the "language barrier to justice elimination act"

Enacts the "language barrier to justice elimination act"; establishes standards for court interpreters and a procedure for waiver of a non-English speaking person's right to an interpreter in any proceeding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes interpreter standards to ensure language access for non-English speakers in court, protecting defendant rights and advancing fair criminal justice access.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationThe bill establishes standards for court interpreters for non-English speaking persons, which protects the rights and access to justice for immigrants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3404: Requires providers of insurance policies to maintain a database of health care providers offering foreign language services

S 3404 requires health insurance providers (covered under the Affordable Care Act) to create and maintain a publicly accessible database. This database must list doctors, physicians, and other healthcare providers covered by their policies, including each provider's name, location, specialty, and languages spoken. The law directly affects insurance companies and their policyholders who need language assistance when accessing care. It mandates this database be available to all customers, clients, or insured individuals under the policy. The bill does not change coverage or cost but improves access to multilingual care information.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to list multilingual providers, improving patient access to language-assisted care per ACA-covered policies.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill S 3404 mandates a database of healthcare providers' spoken languages, facilitating access to care for individuals with language barriers, directly supporting immigrant access to services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4428: Relates to establishing an immigrant workers' bill of rights

This bill (A 4428) requires New York's Commissioner of Labor to create and maintain a public website with information about workers' rights under state and federal law, regardless of immigration status - including union organizing rights. It mandates that employers provide this information to all employees by August 1, 2027, in English and any language spoken by at least 5% of their workforce, posting it visibly at workplaces and making it accessible via mobile apps or online. The bill also requires outreach to immigrant workers through hotlines, legal resources, and materials at shelters and immigration centers, with penalties of $500 for non-compliance (after a warning for first offenses). It directly affects immigrant workers, employers, and state agencies like the Division of Immigrant Policies and Affairs.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill A 4428 establishes an 'immigrant workers' bill of rights' and ensures all workers, regardless of immigration status, are informed of their rights, directly protecting immigrant rights.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employers to provide workers' rights info including union organizing rights regardless of immigration status, directly protecting workers' rights and strengthening access to legal protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Work Authorization Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

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