Q&A
Council Member Hudson questions MOIA on immigrant advocacy and sanctuary laws
1:47:01
ยท
4 min
Council Member Crystal Hudson engages in a Q&A session with representatives from the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), focusing on their engagement with immigration advocates and the city's stance on sanctuary laws. The discussion touches on MOIA's communication with advocacy groups, potential changes to sanctuary policies, and the administration's commitment to these laws.
- MOIA representatives highlight ongoing meetings and listening sessions with immigrant-serving organizations and advocates.
- Hudson inquires about communication with the incoming Trump administration regarding sanctuary policies.
- The conversation addresses concerns about potential exceptions to sanctuary laws and MOIA's role in advising the mayor on these issues.
Crystal Hudson
1:47:01
Thank you so much, chair.
1:47:03
Hi.
1:47:03
Good afternoon.
1:47:05
Just a couple of of questions, and apologies if anything is redundant.
1:47:10
I had to step out for a few, so just let me know if you've already answered it.
1:47:13
But how has MOIA asked immigration advocates for their feedback on how MOIA could be helpful?
1:47:20
And do you keep track of immigration legal clinics or similar engagements that are being run by immigration advocates?
1:47:26
And can Moya curate that calendar of events and make it available publicly?
Manuel Castro
1:47:34
So we've yes.
1:47:35
We've had a numerous amount of meetings with, immigrant serving organizations, including advocates.
1:47:43
We, as I mentioned, work closely with our, of course, our nonprofit contracted partners that are doing this work collaboratively with us.
1:47:53
I'll let Indica talk a little bit more about, this work.
1:47:57
But as I said at the outset, our work is ongoing, including, you know, listening to today's testimonies and feedback.
1:48:06
And we're ready to work, with with our, colleagues in other sectors to prepare for what may come next.
Enrique Chavira Cantu
1:48:15
Yeah.
1:48:15
And thank you, council member.
1:48:17
When we started, doing a lot of our work for scenario planning, we began hosting listening sessions to get an idea of how our plans and inform the work that we were doing to ensure that it was responsive to what organizations were doing on the ground.
1:48:33
This is ongoing listening session, so we're not done, and we will continue to engage in active engagement with our community.
Crystal Hudson
1:48:39
Thank you.
1:48:39
And then just one other question.
1:48:42
Have you had any communication with the incoming Trump administration about the city's sanctuary policies?
Manuel Castro
1:48:51
More yet, no.
Crystal Hudson
1:48:52
Okay.
1:48:53
And, the mayor was was quoted I just wanna read a a quote from him, following his meeting with, Homan saying, quote, the the law that was passed under the previous administration said that no ICE officer can be in any governmental building.
1:49:10
There are exceptions to that.
1:49:11
We are looking at those exceptions.
1:49:13
End quote.
1:49:14
How would you, what is what is your take on that quote?
1:49:19
And are you advising the mayor directly on the city's sanctuary laws?
Manuel Castro
1:49:30
So it's important to say that the the the mayor has outlined his perspective on addressing, his public public safety concerns.
1:49:38
However, he's also directed us to follow our sanctuary laws that are in place, and the directive is to ensure that all city agencies are adhering to the these laws, which is why we not only did we send written guidance, but are also conducting training, to these agencies so they understand that that message should be clear.
Crystal Hudson
1:50:04
So you don't think that he's trying to create or looking for ways to create exceptions, whether charter revision or any other means?
Manuel Castro
1:50:13
That is is not an analysis that we're and MoIA engaged in.
1:50:17
So I can't
Crystal Hudson
1:50:18
Are you prepared to push back on any attempts, to create exceptions to our sanctuary laws?
Manuel Castro
1:50:25
So this is something, again, at the outset I said that I I am, appreciative, that both the mayor, deputy mayors, take into account my perspective, both as an immigrant, and, an advocate, for, immigrant rights.
1:50:46
And that's something that I will continue to do.
Crystal Hudson
1:50:49
Yeah.
1:50:49
Just, you know, I'm I I understand the the sit the position that you're in and that you're not able to necessarily answer those types of questions directly.
1:50:59
But it is my job to push on behalf of our constituents and all New Yorkers who wanna make sure that we have an administration, not solely you in your role as head of MOIA, but that we have the entirety of the administration that is willing to stand up, fight back, and push back against any adverse, changes to those laws that we have.
1:51:20
So thank you for your answers.
Jonathan Lam
1:51:21
Thank you.