NEW YORK, Apr. 23, CMC – Caribbean immigration advocates and New York legislators on Thursday called for an inclusive city budget that addresses the needs of immigrant communities, citing increased federal enforcement measures.
Speaking at a rally on the steps of City Hall in lower Manhattan, advocates urged the allocation of US$188 million for immigration legal services, US$50 million for adult literacy programmes, US$4.5 million for Access Health NYC, US$5.8 million for the Community Interpreter Bank and Language Services Cooperative, and US$4 million for the Immigrant Family Communications and Outreach Initiative.
They also called for expanded funding for civic engagement and census programmes, stronger protections for immigrant students, reinforcement of sanctuary policies, broader access to housing vouchers regardless of immigration status, and a halt to cooperation between city agencies and federal immigration enforcement.
Murad Awawdeh, president and chief executive officer of the New York Immigration Coalition, said urgent action is needed to ensure protections and resources for all residents, warning that immigrant families face growing barriers to legal services, housing, and basic support.
New York City Council Member Rita Joseph said immigrant justice is central to the city’s identity and urged measures to guarantee access to education, employment opportunities, and civil rights protections.
Advocates also underscored the importance of language access and adult education. Darnell Benoit of the Flanbwayan Haitian Literacy Project said language access is key to equity, while Janay Cauthen of Families For Freedom highlighted the impact of inadequate legal representation on immigrant families.
Ira Yankwitt, executive director of the Literacy Assistance Center, called for an increase in city funding for adult literacy from US$26.5 million to US$50 million to reduce reliance on federal support.
Advocates said the proposed investments are essential to safeguarding immigrant communities and ensuring their full participation in the city’s social and economic life.
