PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Juan Diaz, Policy Associate at Citizens' Community for Children
5:25:10
ยท
3 min
Juan Diaz, a policy associate at Citizens' Community for Children, testified about the potential impact of the incoming federal administration's immigration policies on New York City's immigrant communities, especially children and mixed-status families. He emphasized the need for supportive policies, increased funding for legal services, and better language access.
- Called for implementing and funding the city FEPs expansion and eliminating the 60-day short-term limits for migrant families
- Urged increased funding for legal defense and enforcement of translation services requirements
- Supported Resolutions 2970 (New York for All Act) and 2971 (Access to Representation Act)
- Shared personal experience as a formerly undocumented immigrant to highlight the importance of supporting immigrant communities
Juan Diaz
5:25:10
Thank you, chair Aviles.
5:25:13
My name is Juan Diaz.
5:25:14
I'm a policy associate, a citizen for community for children, a multi issue children, organization.
5:25:21
We are also co conveners of the Family Homeless Coalition, FHC, appointed members of the incoming federal administration, which will take office in less than a week, have opened shared intentions of mass deportations and immigration and forms nationwide.
5:25:38
The impact on recently Iraq migrants and mixed status families in New York City will be devastating, especially in New York City, where close to half of the children have at least 1 immigrant parent.
5:25:49
We cannot forget the impact that it will have, not just on immigrants, but on American citizens, right, which impact.
5:25:56
They're everywhere.
5:25:58
They're they're social workers.
5:25:59
They are, teachers.
5:26:01
They have family members that are impacted by by, deportations.
5:26:05
And I'm really interested in money.
5:26:06
I will highlight more recommendations, but today, I really wanna highlight, policies that will support mixed status families and recently arrived migrants, such as implementing and funding the city FEPs expansion, which will allow more and more families to relocate and also remain at home to eliminate eliminate the 60 day, short term limits for migrant families.
5:26:28
60 days is not enough time for case managers to provide resources and and exit plans as well.
5:26:35
And also for students, our partner organizations, I mentioned that students are missing 60 days and or more migrant students when they're they have to transfer.
5:26:44
Additionally, as several partners have mentioned, the the the need for legal immigration services is huge.
5:26:51
So we encourage we urge the city council to support more funding for legal defense.
5:26:56
Also, enforce translation services requirements at city agencies and also at, agencies that have contracts with the cities.
5:27:06
It is a recent CCC report found that immigrants are 5 times less likely to receive health services because of language barriers, and this impacts severely.
5:27:18
Also, we start investing workforce development for for migrants so they they become can become financially independent.
5:27:25
But most it's also important for city council to partner with the state government to pass legislation that will have, huge impact on mixed status families.
5:27:34
And we also, CCC, support resolution 29, 70, the new which supports the New York for All Act and Resolution 2971, the Access to Representation Act.
5:27:46
Chair, Ables, I sympathize with many advocates today and individuals.
5:27:52
I'm a formerly undocumented immigrant.
5:27:55
I grew up undocumented.
5:27:56
I'm from Ecuador, and I I see all those reports.
5:28:00
I was I'm also a researcher.
5:28:02
I teach at Silverman, and I see the students, how fearful they are, and I recognize all those fears about anxiety, especially in low income communities where there's high concentration of poverty, and therefore, it's hugely important for the city council to support not just funding and legislation, but also to enforce the and change the narrative of city agencies, who oftentimes, many immigrants feel this isolated because of lack of services and lack of language access.
5:28:32
Thank you so much.