A diverse coalition of immigration advocates, elected officials, and community members gathered at the New York State Capitol to rally in support of the New York For All Act (A3506/S2235) for the 2025 Legislative Session. The proposed legislation aims to safeguard immigrant communities by prohibiting state and local government agencies, including law enforcement, from collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sharing sensitive personal information, or diverting resources to assist federal immigration enforcement.
The New York For All Act seeks to create a clear separation between local governance and federal immigration policies, ensuring that all New Yorkers—regardless of immigration status—can access public services, seek medical care, and engage in community life without fear of deportation. By preserving state and local resources for community needs, the bill also prevents taxpayer dollars from supporting what advocates describe as a punitive federal immigration agenda.
The rally, organized by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and supported by elected officials like State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Karines Reyes, highlighted the urgency of passing the legislation amid escalating federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Advocates cited recent incidents of warrantless detentions, family separations, and deportations of U.S. citizens and non-citizens alike as evidence of the need for state-level protections.
“This is a basic truth: tearing apart immigrant families will cause chaos and tank our economy, but it does nothing to keep our communities safe,” said Senator Gounardes. “The New York For All Act creates a clear statewide standard for immigration enforcement and prioritizes true public safety over fearmongering.”
Assemblymember Reyes emphasized the economic and social contributions of immigrants, stating, “New Yorkers, no matter their status, deserve protection from the federal government’s harsh enforcement of immigration law. This legislation ensures our communities’ economic life and social fabric are secured.”
The bill has garnered support from a growing coalition of labor unions, worker justice organizations, and businesses, reflecting widespread concern about the impact of federal immigration policies on New York’s diverse communities. Advocates argue that the legislation is critical to counter what they describe as an “unprecedented attack” on immigrants, including surveillance, criminalization, and deportations to foreign detention facilities without due process.
“New York will not do Donald Trump’s dirty work,” said Murad Awawdeh, CEO of the NYIC. “With renewed promises of mass deportations, it is more urgent than ever to pass the New York For All Act to protect our neighbors and keep our economy strong.”
Personal stories underscored the human toll of current policies. Jesus Mendoza, an agricultural worker and member of Alianza Agrícola, spoke of the fear and hardship faced by families separated by deportation. “Parents suffer from the worry of who will care for their children if they’re deported,” he said. Similarly, Jax, a youth member of Make the Road New York, shared their fear of family separation, urging state leaders to follow the example of states like California and New Jersey, which have passed similar protections.
Critics of federal immigration enforcement also pointed to the strain on local resources when agencies collaborate with ICE. “Our state should not be helping ICE conduct its campaign of terror,” said State Senator Julia Salazar. “That means no more information sharing and no more allowing ICE to detain people at our facilities.”
The rally concluded with a call to action for legislative leaders to prioritize the bill. “Every New York family separated due to collusion with ICE is in the hands of legislative leadership,” said Bryan MacCormack of the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement. “Failure to pass this is an abdication of leadership.”
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
