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Q&A

Handling language barriers and immigration status in discrimination cases

1:23:01

·

150 sec

Council Member Williams inquires about CCHR's approach to language barriers and immigration status in discrimination cases. The commission offers services in multiple languages and takes measures to protect individuals' immigration status.

CCHR provides trainings in various languages, including efforts to reach new arrivals
The commission uses translation services for non-English speakers and ASL interpretation
Staff are instructed never to ask about immigration status
CCHR treats discrimination based on perceived undocumented status as a protected class

Nantasha M. Williams

1:23:01

Thank you.

1:23:02

Discrimination in employment can be particularly insidious for those dealing with language barriers or for employees who are worried about their immigration status.

1:23:11

This is a really good question.

1:23:13

Thanks, committee.

1:23:15

And I'm thinking about this incoming elect this incoming, federal government we have here.

1:23:21

Can you please describe how the commission works with people who prefer to speak a language other than English when making an inquiry or filing a complaint?

JoAnn Kamuf Ward

1:23:30

I will let Cathy respond, to that piece.

1:23:33

I will say that our trainings themselves are offered in an in an array of languages very much for the reasons that, that many people prefer, to receive, information in another language.

1:23:47

And I would say in in the past year or 2, we've made special efforts to also reach new arrivals in, in languages like Wolof and others through, working with CBOs and other sibling agencies, just very basic these are your rights in New York City efforts.

1:24:04

And so we are constantly thinking about language accessibility and other forms of accessibility in our work.

1:24:10

But I'll let Cathy answer about enforcement.

Nantasha M. Williams

1:24:13

Are you saying that you all did do some forms of outreach at, like, some of the shelters and that schools?

JoAnn Kamuf Ward

1:24:20

A lot of it was we did in shelters, but also a lot of faith spaces throughout New York City, through our Community Relations Bureau.

Nantasha M. Williams

1:24:26

Specifically to, like, new migrants?

Katherine Carroll

1:24:31

In terms of providing services through the law enforcement bureau, we have access to a translation service that we use whenever someone comes to us and requires, to speak in a language that we don't currently have on staff.

1:24:45

That goes for people who rely on ASL interpretation as well.

1:24:50

And on immigration status, our law enforcement staff are instructed to never ask about immigration status.

1:24:57

We take great pains to make sure that we don't have any records related to anyone's immigration status.

1:25:03

Excuse me.

1:25:03

If someone feels they've been discriminated against based on their status as being undocumented, we will treat that as a perceived protected class to ensure that there are no public records to that.

1:25:15

We continue to work with our general counsel and with advocates to certify for U Visas where it's appropriate, but that's an entirely separate process from the law enforcement materials that might be subject to freedom of information lawsuits and other avenues that might make their immigration status public.

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Potential challenges from changes in federal government