Q&A
City's advocacy for state legislation supporting immigrants
1:34:17
ยท
151 sec
Council Member Aviles presses MOIA representatives on the city's advocacy for state legislation supporting immigrants. The exchange reveals limited information and some frustration from the council member.
- MOIA representatives are unable to comment on specific state legislation
- The administration doesn't have public positions on legislative proposals, but teams are reviewing and briefing on aspects of these proposals
- Council Member Aviles expresses disappointment that immigrant protections don't seem to be a clear legislative priority for the administration
- The council member contrasts this with the administration's apparent focus on involuntary confinement policies
Alexa Aviles
1:34:17
So, what state legislation has the city advocated for to be passed related to immigrant New Yorkers?
Lorena Lucero
1:34:30
We can't really, comment on some of the state legislation, but we are sort of noting the 2 resolutions that are posted at this
Alexa Aviles
1:34:40
hearing.
1:34:42
Why why can't you comment on what you would be advocating for?
Manuel Castro
1:34:46
Just to clarify, we don't have a the administration doesn't have a public position on on, proposals, legislative proposals, but our policy team and other teams across the city agencies are reviewing and briefing on on the aspects of these, legislative proposals.
1:35:10
And we are advocating for funding.
Alexa Aviles
1:35:14
And while you don't have a position, the mayor is in fact and has been in Albany advocating for policies, advocating for funding.
1:35:25
Do we know if our immigrant protections of any of these policy proposals, if any are included in that advocacy or in those asks?
Manuel Castro
1:35:39
I'll have to, defer to our legislative affairs team to answer that.
1:35:45
But I do know that this is, in particular, making sure that the city has the funding to be able to support our immigrant communities, and just New Yorkers is a top priority of ours.
Alexa Aviles
1:35:58
Of ours, Moya, the agency, or the administration?
Manuel Castro
1:36:02
The administration.
Alexa Aviles
1:36:04
So but at the same time, you don't know if that has actually been a legislative priority ask at the state?
Manuel Castro
1:36:12
No.
1:36:12
I have not been part of those conversations or meetings.
1:36:16
So I'll have to defer to our legislative affairs team who's engaged in
Alexa Aviles
1:36:21
I quite frankly wish I didn't have to ask this question, that it would be clear.
1:36:24
It's the policy policies of involuntary confinement seem to be the dujour only policy that this administration seems to care about.
1:36:34
It is unfortunate that I have to ask you that.
1:36:36
I wish we could say, of course, we are at the state fully advocating for full throated protections.
1:36:45
So I think with that, I'm gonna turn it over to council member Nurse.