On International Workers’ Day, Unions and Worker Justice Groups Call for Passage of New York For All Act

NEW YORK: Unions and worker justice organizations are joining the call for lawmakers in Albany to pass the New York for All Act, which would broadly prohibit local and state agencies from assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) in searching for, arresting and deporting immigrant New Yorkers.

Twenty-five labor unions and worker justice groups, who represent tens of thousands of New York workers, today sent an open letter to Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie and all of the New York State Senate and Assembly calling for passage of the bill.

“For far too long, [ICE and CBP] have demonized and demoralized immigrant New Yorkers with raids and scare tactics that have cruelly separated families and harmed communities… Employers often exploit immigrant workers’ fear of deportation to discourage them from advocating for themselves against workplace abuses and to suppress organizing efforts, depressing standards for all working people. The New York For All Act offers protections that address this, by prohibiting local and state agencies from funneling people into ICE and CBP custody, sharing sensitive information, and using local resources to undertake a federal political agenda,” they said in the letter.

The groups say passage of the bill is long overdue and note that New York is lagging behind California, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, Washington, and other states which have all passed similar legislation.

The signatories to the letter represent a diverse group of workers from across the state, across different industries, immigrant communities, and in both the private and public sector.

The groups’ call for the bill adds to the momentum behind it. New York for Alll already has majority support in the State Senate, with 32 cosponsors on the bill. It has also passed through the Codes Committee in the Assembly.

The unions and worker groups join many other community-based and legal advocacy groups calling on lawmakers in Albany to pass the bill without delay.

"Immigrants are a part of the fabric of society and make New York the vibrant state we all call home," said Michael Prohaska, Business Manager of the Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York and Laborers Local 79. "Sadly too many of our immigrant neighbors go about their daily lives in fear of ICE and other immigration agencies taking them away from their families and communities they call home. No one should leave for work or school fearing they may not return home - that's why Local 79 is proud to support and urge our elected leaders to pass New York For All legislation to prohibit state agencies from assisting ICE and Customs Border Patrol." l