WHAT: Press conference to discuss the Immigrant Assistance Service Enforcement Act, which will go into effect throughout the state on February 2nd. The Act, championed by Assembly Member Marcos Crespo and State Senator Ruben Diaz, and signed into law last August by Governor Cuomo, creates new protections and rights for immigrants seeking legal assistance and new penalties and restrictions against those who seek to defraud immigrant New Yorkers. It also establishes the New York State Office for New Americans as a permanent part of State government dedicated to promoting and enhancing the welfare of immigrant communities. Government, law enforcement, and community leaders will discuss the new protections and rights, and how immigrants can benefit from them. Press conferences will take place simultaneously in New York City and Albany to highlight the new law and explain its impact for communities statewide. WHY: In an effort to crack down on dishonest providers (“notarios”) who seek to take advantage of New York’s vulnerable immigrant communities, New York State has taken a unique approach by creating new penalties against these providers and new rights for immigrants who have become victim to unscrupulous schemes. New York State has become the first state in the country that has a state-wide Office for New Americans as a permanent part of state government. WHEN & WHERE: Monday, February 2, 2015 at 11:00 AM NYC press conference: New York Immigration Coalition, 137-139 W. 25th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10001 Albany press conference: Room 315 of the Capitol Building, Senate Democratic Conference Room WHO: Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Chair of the Assembly Task Force on New Americans
State Senator Ruben Diaz
Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance
Phyllis Coven, District Director, USCIS New York District
Steve Choi, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition
Monsignor Sullivan, Executive Director, Catholic Charities Community Services
Rachel Rinaldo, Program Coordinator, New Americans Welcome Center, Neighborhood Opportunity Center YMCA, Staten Island
Sarah Rogerson, Assistant Clinical Professor of Law, Albany Law School
Barbara Weiner, Senior Staff Attorney, Empire Justice Center
Dan Irizarry, Chairman of Capital District Latinos