New York state lawmakers approved a fiscal year 2027 budget that increases funding for immigrant legal services, but advocacy groups say the investment falls far short of what is needed as immigrant communities face mounting legal and economic pressures.
The $268.5 billion budget, finalized Wednesday in Albany, includes about $82.4 million for immigrant legal services through the Office for New Americans. That total reflects a $10 million increase from the previous year’s $64.2 million baseline for core legal defense programs.
The CARE for Immigrant Families coalition, a group of more than 100 organizations, said the increase ends several years of largely stagnant funding but remains “dangerously insufficient” amid what it described as an escalating immigration crisis.
“Anything short of doubling current funding would fail our immigrant communities,” the coalition said in a statement, noting that advocates had pushed for a $175 million investment during budget negotiations.
The coalition warned that limited funding could leave many immigrants without legal representation as deportation cases rise and detention conditions worsen. It urged state lawmakers to pass the Building Up Immigrant Legal Defense (BUILD) Act and the Access to Representation Act, which would create a right to counsel for immigrants facing deportation and expand legal service capacity statewide.
Separately, the New York Immigration Coalition said the budget reflects progress but does not fully meet the needs of immigrant New Yorkers facing what it called an increasingly hostile federal policy environment and ongoing affordability challenges.
“Albany increased its investments in immigration legal services … yet the FY27 budget falls short of meeting the urgent need facing thousands of families,” said Murad Awawdeh, the group’s president and CEO.
Beyond legal services, the budget includes $50 million for a Housing Access Voucher Program pilot, $3 million for a census planning commission, and increased funding for childcare, education and public schools.
Advocates praised provisions aimed at protecting immigrant students, including codifying access to education regardless of immigration status, along with expanded early childhood education funding. However, they said broader investments are still needed to help immigrant families facing rising living costs and reduced federal support.
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.
