NY Immigrant Activists Unveil 2012 Legislative Priorities
The New York Immigration Coalition Prepares for 15th annual Day of Action
A coalition of immigrant groups in New York has outlined their top ten legislative and budget priorities for 2012.
The groups are part of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), which is preparing for its 15th annual Day of Action in Albany next week. It is where they will push legislators to pass bills that protect immigrants.
Topping their list is passage of the Dream Act. Director of Advocacy Hackie Vimo said “[it] would insure equal access to schools for students who are undocumented who would have been eligible for the DREAM Act if it had passed in Washington. Since Congress hasn’t done its job, we here in New York feel it is really important to support DREAM youths.”
Other issues on their list include affordable health care and a hike in the minimum wage. Nearly a thousand immigrants and activists from around the state are expected to attend.
Last year, Vimo said the NYIC pushed Albany to provide language assistance to immigrants and an end to the Secure Communities program which provides the federal government with information on undocumented immigrants who have been arrested for a crime.
Albany passed legislation for both initiatives, but the federal government said the Secure Communities program was not optional.
The Day of Action is scheduled for March 14th.
