New York State (March 23, 2022) –With control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Albany on the ballot this election cycle, the New York Immigration Coalition's sister 501 (c)4 organization, NYIC Action, announced its second round of endorsements for the New York State Senate, New York State Assembly, and U.S. Congress. The endorsements come three months before the June primary elections and amid a completely redrawn series of Congressional, Assembly, and State Senate district maps.
NYIC Action's second slate of endorsed candidates embraces the growing diversity of New York State. The C4 endorsements include insurgents like military veteran, long-time activist, and Staten Islander Brittany Ramos DeBarros seeking the hyper-competitive 11th Congressional district in New York City. In Queens and Brooklyn, Kristen Gonzalez and Samy Nemir Olivares, two bold first-time candidates, seek to win heavily immigrant districts for the Senate and Assembly. Alongside these new faces to the political scene are a solid set of legislators and political leaders with long histories of immigrant rights advocacy, including Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, and State Senator Roxanne Persaud.
"This year's midterm election cycle will determine everything from control of Congress, Albany, President Joe Biden's agenda, and, ultimately, the future of immigrant rights in New York and the country," said Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, NYIC Action. "To meet the enormity of this moment, our second round of candidates embody the power of American diversity. Whether they are running for office for the first time or they possess years of political experience, all of these individuals have proven themselves to be bold and courageous champions of immigrant rights. Whether in Congress or Albany, we do not doubt that these candidates possess the drive and passion for helping NYIC Action build a bold and inclusive agenda for everyone who calls America home."
“I've seen with my own eyes violent wars overseas which cause massive displacement, and cruel border policies that criminalize those fleeing for safety,” said Brittany Ramos DeBarros (CD 11). “If we want our country to live up to its promise as a 'refuge for huddled masses yearning to breathe free' we must end unjust U.S. military operations around the world. We must expand our refugee visa programs to be truly welcoming and create easier pathways to citizenship for our immigrant communities at home. I look forward to working with NYIC to build a future where everyone, regardless of immigration status, can live in dignity.”
"Immigrants are central to the New York story, that's why I am honored to have the support of NYIC Action," said Sarah Blas (SD 23). "It is impossible to talk about healthcare for all, language justice or accessibility without including the thousands of immigrants we call friends, family and neighbors."
"As the son of an immigrant who lived here undocumented for 20 years, I'm proud to be endorsed by NYIC Action. I believe in creating a New York for all," said State Senator Jabari Brisport (SD 25). "That means I'm committed to fighting alongside our immigrant communities and pushing for legislation that ensures immigrants can lead safe, fulfilling lives, such as the New York for All Act and the Access to Representation Act."
"I am proud to receive the endorsement of NYIC and work alongside them to build a more equitable New York for immigrant communities," said State Senator Cordell Cleare (SD30). "Fair Pay for Home Care, Universal Childcare for All, and the New York Health Act are among the priorities that I look forward to continuing to work on with NYIC."
"Thank you, NYIC Action for your leadership on behalf of thousands of my constituents, from Yonkers to Bedford," said State Senator Shelley Mayer (SD39). "Your advocacy on housing, immigration, employment, and other critical issues facing our Westchester immigrant communities continues to result in real improvement for our residents."
"As an immigrant and a representative in a district of immigrants, I am honored to receive the endorsement of New York Immigrant Coalition Action. I have an incredible respect for the grassroots organizing that has made NYIC-ACTION a leader in amplifying the values and voices of our immigrant communities," said Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou and candidate for NYS Senate District 26. "We are making real progress, but this is just the beginning. I look forward to working closely with them to advance the NYIC-ACTION Blueprint for New York State in Albany, and to create a more just and fair New York for everyone who calls our state home."
"It is undeniable the immense contributions immigrants have made to our state. It is these communities who put their wellbeing on the line during the pandemic and are still paying the cost,” said Vanessa Agudelo (AD 95). “No longer can we afford to overlook the very people whose labor has held up our economy. The days of stopgap measures must end. We must fully fund the Excluded Workers Fund to ensure no family is left behind as we work together to recover from this crisis. I am proud to be receiving NYIC Action's endorsement and be part of this greater movement to build a future where all New Yorkers can thrive and where immigration status is no longer a barrier to living a life with dignity."
"I'm honored to receive the endorsement of NYIC Action," said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein (AD 74). "It has been great partnering with members to ensure we pass Coverage For All and push for funding in the Excluded Workers Fund. Our state needs to be accessible for every New Yorker, and we will continue organizing until we get our priorities met."
"I am honored to have earned the endorsement of NYIC Action as I seek my third term to the New York State Assembly," said Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus (AD 46). "I deeply admire their work to support immigrant communities, especially their advocacy to ensure that those communities have economic justice and good jobs. I echo their call for New York State to allocate an additional $3.1billion to the existing Excluded Worker Fund, which would serve an additional 173,000 excluded workers -- bringing the total to 295,000 beneficiaries across the state."
"We're so proud to have the endorsement of NYIC Action, and we can't wait to fight alongside their members for policies like Coverage for All, which allocate funds towards expanding healthcare coverage to our low-income neighbors who are currently excluded from the Essential Plan due to their immigration status," said Samy Nemir Olivares (AD 54). "We're also excited to work alongside NYIC Action Members to win a fully funded, permanent Excluded Workers Fund so all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, can access key benefits."
This second round of endorsements from NYIC Action includes:
For the New York State Assembly:
Charles Lavine (AD 13)
Taylor Darling (AD 18)
Khaleel Anderson (AD 31)
Juan Ardila (AD 37)
Zohran Mamdani (AD 36)
Rodneyse Bichotte (AD 42)
Jelanie DeShong (AD 43)
Mathylde Frontus (AD 46)
Emily Gallagher (AD 50)
Samy Nemir Olivares (AD 54)
Al Taylor (AD 71)
Harvey Epstein (AD 74)
Nathalia Fernandez (AD 80)
Kenny Burgos (AD 85)
Vanessa Agudelo (AD 95)
For the New York State Senate:
Kristen Gonzalez (SD 17)
Roxanne Persaud (SD 19)
Sarah Blas (SD 23)
Jabari Brisport (SD 25)
Yuh-Line Niou (SD 26)
Cordell Cleare (SD 30)
Shelley Mayer (SD 37)
Neil Breslin (SD 44)
Michelle Hinchey (SD 46)
Lea Webb (SD 53)
For the U.S. Congress:
Grace Meng (CD 6)
Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (CD 14)
Jamaal Bowman (CD 16)
Hakeem Jeffries (CD 8)
Brittany Ramos DeBarros (CD 11)
Adriano Espaillat (CD 13)
Yvette Clarke (CD 9)
Jerrold Nadler (CD 10)
Nydia Velázquez (CD 7)
The endorsements come after the announcement of a first round of candidates in February. The choices 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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