Immigrant Protection Act Passed in Westchester

WHITE PLAINS – Recently, the Immigrant Protection Act passed the Westchester County Legislature with bipartisan support. This historic bill – the first such legislation of its kind passed in the County – provides vital new tools for County and local law enforcement to build trust with immigrant communities, and is fully compliant with federal law regulating the voluntary cooperation between county agencies and federal immigration agents. Make the Road New York, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Neighbors Link, and John Jay Legal Services celebrated with main sponsor County Legislator Catherine Borgia, and community members outside of the Westchester Government Building.

Studies have long shown that immigrants are more reluctant to report crime when they fear that police are acting as immigration agents. The Trump administration’s indiscriminate and aggressive immigration crackdown has led to dramatic decreases in crime reporting among immigrants across the country. Decreased reporting makes criminals harder to catch, endangering the safety of all local residents.

Neighbors Link, John Jay Legal Services, the New York Immigration Coalition, and Make the Road New York collaborated with other Westchester-based member organizations, to advocate for the bill’s passage and engage community members on the issue.

Danny Ortega, member of Make the Road New York and Westchester resident: “As a survivor of domestic violence, I know first-hand what it’s like to be too afraid to come forward to the police because they might be working with ICE. I’m thrilled that County legislators are showing such strong leadership by passing the IPA, which shows immigrants like me that this County is finally on my side. This is an important step towards restoring the trust in local law enforcement to make everyone safer.”

“For over seventeen years, Neighbors Link has been dedicated to the mission of strengthening the whole community through the healthy integration of immigrants. When that happens, society is improved for all residents. We consider the Immigrant Protection Act to be important for the entire community, and we are deeply gratified that the Westchester County Legislature has passed this measure to help everyone, in all of our towns, be safer and more secure. This Act was designed to protect us all, to ensure public safety and protect the rights of all those who call Westchester County home. We are committed to our unyielding conviction to celebrate and cultivate diversity and inclusion – and the passing of this strong legislation is a key step toward that vision. It is our honor to have been part of a consortium of dedicated community leaders, visionaries and legislators who made the passing of this bill possible,” said Carola Otero Bracco, Executive Director of Neighbors Link.

“Strong, safe communities depend on good relations between law enforcement and locals. Yesterday, Westchester became the first county in the state to put public safety first for all residents, regardless of immigration status. We applaud Legislator Borgia for her leadership, and eagerly await County Executive George Latimer’s signature to turn this crucial legislation into law,” said Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition.

“The Immigration Justice Clinic at Pace Law School is pleased to support the comprehensive and thoughtful legislation known as the Immigrant Protection Act of Westchester County, which will enhance public safety and security by improving communication between County law enforcement and our local communities. Federal law enforcement is not the job of County personnel. The Federal government has all the resources it needs and should not commandeer County facilities or demand allocation of County personnel to perform federal work. County agencies should not be required to enforce federal immigration regulations any more than they enforce federal tax regulations. This bill is carefully crafted to avoid any conflict with the very limited federal mandate to permit non-federal government employees – if and only if they choose – to transmit information about citizenship or immigration status to federal authorities. This bill is in complete compliance with all applicable federal law,” said Vanessa Merton, Director of the Immigration Justice Clinic.

“Local government can and should be focused on providing services and support to all residents, regardless of immigration status, rather than aiding the federal government in its efforts to deport and divide families,” said Shannon Wong, director of the NYCLU Lower Hudson Valley chapter. “With this legislation, Westchester County is making clear that it wants no part in the Trump administration’s deportation regime.”

“Immigrant families are a large and fundamental part of our communities. Far from being criminals, they contribute to our prosperity. Yet today, far too many of them live in insecurity and fear that a neighbor, a loved one, a child’s playmate may–without warning–be deported. It is time to start treating them with the respect they have earned and deserve. We cannot ensure their safety; federal law limits what we can do, but the Immigrant Protection Act asserts Westchester County’s right to treat immigrants humanly; it is a common sense policy that adds to the safety of everyone in our community, immigrant and native-born alike. We need to get it passed,” said Jirandy Martinez, Executive Director at the Community Resource Center of New York.

“Our immigrant community is being attacked every day with more cruelty. Homes are being destroyed by arrests and deportations. It’s time together to say ENOUGH. No more deportations. That our local authorities act and a moral moratorium is achieved so that ICE stops terrifying our communities. We need real protection and support for our brothers who are facing deportation proceedings today. This is our home, here is our family, here is our future,” said Luís Yumbla, Executive Director of the Hudson Valley Community Coalition.

“We are delighted for our members and all the Westchester residents that the Westchester County Board of Legislators has passed the Immigrant Protection Act,” said John Santos, Vice-President of the 32BJ SEIU. “By committing the county to the principles of equal treatment and due process for all, and by clarifying the separation of county duties from federal immigration enforcement, the Immigrant Protection Act will solidify relations between immigrants and county officials, thereby increasing the safety of everyone. The Act testifies to the spirit of inclusion that has made Westchester such a diverse and prosperous community for so many.”

Background
The IPA, which County Executive George Latimer is widely expected to sign into law, prohibits county officials from using resources to do the job of federal immigration authorities; prevents county officials from asking for immigration status or country of birth when it is not necessary to the job the function they are performing; and prevents County Corrections and Probation officers from handing over Westchester residents to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unless there is a judicial warrant.

The Westchester County Legislature first voted to pass the Immigrant Protection Act in August 2017, but former County Executive Rob Astorino vetoed it. Since then, a coalition of Westchester-based advocates have been working with legislators to reintroduce the bill for another vote.

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