New York, NY (February, 7 2022) – As New York’s 4.4 million immigrants continue to serve on the front lines against a pandemic entering its third year, the New York Immigration Coalition’s sister 501 (c)4 organization, NYIC Action, announced its first round of endorsements for the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly. The endorsements came after Albany legislators released new Congressional, Assembly, and state Senate district maps.
NYIC Action’s slate of candidates includes first-term state representatives like Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas whose championing of the Coverage for All Act vastly expands healthcare coverage for immigrant New Yorkers. Similarly, Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes and Senator Samra Brouk have both seized upon their first terms in office to deliver tangible results for New York’s immigrant communities. The C4’s first round of endorsements also included legislators with proven records on immigrant rights, such as Senators Jessica Ramos, Brad Hoylman, and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz. Finally, NYIC Action endorsed Manny De Los Santos in the Special Election for Assembly District 72.
“To our state leaders, we want to be crystal clear–’thanking’ our dairy farmworkers, or the countless other immigrant essential workers for keeping us fed, safe, and healthy during two years of a global pandemic is not nearly enough, anymore,” said Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, NYIC Action. “At a minimum, immigrant New Yorkers deserve and demand true access to affordable healthcare, inclusive economic relief, and basic protections from ICE and being torn away from the state and communities into which we have put so much love, sweat, and tears. All of these NYIC Action-endorsed candidates, whether they are veteran representatives occupying significant leadership positions or first-time legislators, recognize the sacrifice of New York’s immigrant essential workers and that New York State cannot recover without them. These leaders will ensure that the experiences and needs of immigrant New Yorkers will continue to be heard in the halls of power from election day and throughout their service. These leaders recognize that New York is stronger because of New York’s 4.4 million immigrants.”
“In 2021, we won a $2.1 billion dollar relief fund for excluded workers,” said Senator Jessica Ramos. “In 2022, we’re coming back for $3 billion more to cover anyone who lost income during the pandemic and wasn’t able to access funds in the first round. There is no excuse for essential workers who kept New York running during the worst of the pandemic to go without a safety net and that's why we're also proposing a permanent solution to this injustice with my new Excluded No More bill.”
“I am proud to once again be endorsed by NYIC Action. Immigrant New Yorkers have depended on us during this pandemic, and we will continue to fight for them by guaranteeing access to health care and legal services, as well as resources to support workers and small businesses recovery,” said Assemblymember Catalina Cruz. “Our immigrant communities are this City and State's lifeline and I look forward to my continued partnership with NYIC Action to ensure that they thrive.”
"I'm thrilled and honored to have regained the support of NYIC Action for my re-election. During my first year in office, I'm proud to have worked alongside NYIC Action and the movement for immigrant rights to advocate to provide healthcare coverage to our undocumented siblings. No one should be excluded from our healthcare system because everyone should receive the care they need. I'm excited to continue our work together to advance immigrant justice in New York State and push our federal partners to do the same. We will win," said Assemblymember Jessica Gonzáles-Rojas.
“As a former undocumented immigrant, I am honored to be endorsed by the New York Immigration Coalition Action, a group of grassroots organizations that are effective advocates for immigrants across New York,” said Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes. “Whether it be fighting for quality education or against deportations, NYIC has fought tirelessly for our immigrant communities. This session I am particularly excited to work alongside NYIC to pass bills such as the New York for All Act and the Access to Representation Act to reduce state cooperation with ICE and ensure immigrants facing deportation have a right to counsel.”
"As the daughter of Haitian immigrants, I’m committed to making New York state a sanctuary for all people, regardless of their imigration status,” said Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest. “ In the Assembly, I am fighting to protect New Yorkers from ICE. I am fighting to extend voting rights and the right to social services to all New Yorkers by passing the New York Is Home Act. And I am fighting to protect immigrant workers by ending wage theft, allowing workers to bring public enforcement action to stop labor violations, and extending labor rights to domestic workers."
This first round of endorsements from NYIC Action also includes:
For the New York State Assembly:
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes
Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes
Assemblymember Catalina Cruz
Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas
Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest
Assemblymember Pamela Hunter
Assemblymember Latoya Joyner
Assemblymember Phil Ramos
Assemblymember Karines Reyes
Assemblymember Michelle Solanges
For the New York State Senate:
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris
Senator Gustavo Rivera
Senator Julia Salazar
Senator Brad Hoylman
Senator Jessica Ramos
Senator Samra Brouk
Senator Jeremy Cooney
Senator Andrew Gounardes
Senator Tim Kennedy
For Special Election in Assembly District 72:
Manny De Los Santos
The endorsements were made following a thorough review of each candidates’ records on immigration. Only candidates with a consistent history of championing and securing advancements in immigrant rights received an endorsement.
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