PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Maggie Sanchez, Public Advocate Appointee to the Citywide Council on Special Education, on Immigrant Protections and Education Concerns
6:12:06
ยท
175 sec
Maggie Sanchez, speaking in her personal capacity, expressed concerns about recent charter amendments granting more power to the mayor and reducing City Council oversight. She urged the Council to support various legislative measures to protect immigrants and street vendors.
- Highlighted the fear and discrimination faced by undocumented families, particularly in the education system
- Shared an example of a school district representative inappropriately discussing birthright citizenship with a newly arrived family seeking services for a disabled student
- Called for accountability and protection for immigrant families, especially those with students with disabilities
Maggie Sanchez
6:12:06
Hi, everyone.
6:12:08
My name is Maggie Sanchez.
6:12:10
I'm speaking here in my personal capacity.
6:12:14
I am a public advocate appointee to the citywide council on special education.
6:12:20
Cruelty is the point.
6:12:23
And, unfortunately, perhaps 2 through 6, the from the NYC charter amendment proposals were passed this last election in November, which granted even more powers to the current mayor and to any mayor in the future, including the Department of Sanitation and the NYPD.
6:12:50
It also gives a less NYC council oversight and the counts and impedes the council's ability to protect New Yorkers when it comes to harmful policies impacting outside vendors and undocumented immigrants.
6:13:06
This is the reality and unfortunately it passed.
6:13:09
I am asking the New York City Council to push for the New York for all act to straighten straighten New York City detainer laws, pass the intro to 214, push for access to wall, expand NYFA funding, call state call the state legislature to pass the youth justice and opportunities act, fund know your rights trainings with equitable language access, and please pass street vendor reform package.
6:13:47
An example of what families are already going through, here's one example of the fear and the discrimination and racism that that undocumented families are going through.
6:14:00
A school district representative told a parent they had to wait until the Trump administration because the city will be trying to save money.
UNKNOWN
6:14:10
The time has expired.
6:14:11
Thank you.
Alexa Aviles
6:14:12
If if you could, finish up.
6:14:16
Miss Sanchez, thank you.
6:14:17
Go ahead.
6:14:21
Go ahead, miss Sanchez.
6:14:22
Oh, I'm sorry for the delay.
6:14:23
Go ahead.
Maggie Sanchez
6:14:26
When the parent asked about, services for their, severely severely disabled student.
6:14:34
This is a newly arrived family, and birthright citizenship was brought up by a New York City DOE district representative in Queens.
6:14:44
So this is one of the examples, as many others, that is happening to, students with disabilities, in newly arrived, students with disabilities and their families.
6:14:56
Please protect them.
6:14:57
We need to stay together and and hold the New York City mayor accountable.