PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dhaliem, Youth Leader from Make the Road New York
3:02:21
ยท
4 min
Dhaliem, a youth leader from Make the Road New York and a senior at International High School, testified about the need for immediate action to support and protect immigrant youth in New York City. She shared her personal experiences as an immigrant student and expressed concerns about increased police presence and potential ICE enforcement in schools.
- Called for strengthening detainer laws and ICE protocols in schools to protect immigrant students
- Emphasized the need for mental health support and restorative justice instead of increased police presence in schools
- Urged city officials to take action to protect the rights of all New Yorkers, especially young immigrants
Dhaliem
3:02:21
Thank you for having me here.
3:02:23
My name is Alea Malvan, and I am youth leader of Make the Road New York and a senior in International High School.
3:02:30
I missed the school today, so I could come here to testify in north the city council, Major Adams, and chancellor Aviles Ramos to take immediate actions to support and protect immigrant young people like me in our city.
3:02:45
I came to this country about 2 years ago in search of more opportunities and a better education and safety.
3:02:54
It was very scary to be alone in this new country with just my grandmother.
3:03:00
With all these things and these change going on, my teachers help me orient me a new school and new language.
3:03:09
The one thing I can adjust to is the amount of the school police always present.
3:03:16
It makes me students feel like we did something wrong.
3:03:20
Every afternoon, the school cops get loud and aggressive, urging us to immediately leave to school property.
3:03:28
Signs arriving, I've seen major, major items increase local and state police presence through the city.
3:03:36
Racism is at the core of the United States.
3:03:40
System of policing, incarceration, and immigration.
3:03:44
All of this enforcement system use discrimination and violent tactics to criminalize black, brown, Latin, and immigrant people.
3:03:53
Just yesterday, governor Hochul said in her state of the state that even more police will be added to train station.
3:04:02
Seeing state troopers makes me feel like war is going to happen at any point.
3:04:08
This summer, a state trooper at the train yelled at me because I was passing a coffee to my friend through the metal gate.
3:04:15
It is terrifying to be surrounded by so many cops because I know any interaction is more likely for us to get pushed into the school to deportation pipeline.
3:04:26
Donald Trump will take office in 4 days.
3:04:29
He has been bringing about launching dozens of effective orders to target my community.
3:04:35
Mass deportation in Rolly Bag's eyes, sensitive locations politicized him for his first day in office.
3:04:42
At this moment, the city council must hold the line with our detainer laws.
3:04:48
So immigrants are not afraid of interacting with city agencies or schools.
3:04:53
So that I'm not afraid to go to school.
3:04:57
While the chancellor has sent guidance to school around ICE, she can take steps right now to make the protocols stronger.
3:05:07
I shall not be able to come into schools without a judicial warrant.
3:05:12
All school staff should be training to protect students.
3:05:16
My data should be protect.
3:05:19
There should be signs at the front entrance of a school saying ICE is not welcome in our schools.
3:05:25
The chancellors has the power to make all of these protocols into regulations.
3:05:31
Protecting young people from ICE is not just red type prosecutor.
3:05:35
It is the job of New York City Public Schools.
3:05:38
Every student deserves to feel safe in schools, regardless of their immigration status.
3:05:44
And let it be clear, when my friends and my talk talk about what safe schools look like, it never includes more school cops.
3:05:53
We want more mental health support and restorative justice.
3:05:58
We want New York City to invest in us, not school cops.
3:06:03
Police nights are not welcome in our schools.
3:06:07
Major Adams, city council chancellor Abeles Ramos, we need to step up and do everything in that in your power to protect the rights of all New Yorkers, especially young people.
3:06:20
I don't want to wonder if it's safe to finish my senior year because I came here with the idea in how to feel safe and a better future.
3:06:29
I want to be able to walk into my school knowing that my school has my back.
3:06:34
I want to continue planning for my school dreams and planning for my future career in psychology.
3:06:40
Protect me, protect young people, and protect all immigrants.
3:06:44
Thank you so much.