PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sierra Kraft, Executive Director of Immigrant Children Advocates' Relief Effort (ICARE)
5:02:59
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Sierra Kraft, Executive Director of ICARE, testified on the urgent need for increased protections and resources for immigrant youth in New York City. She highlighted the importance of legal representation for unaccompanied children facing deportation and called for bold action from the City Council.
- Emphasized that nearly 2 million children in NYC have at least one immigrant parent
- Expressed support for the Access to Representation Act and New York For All legislation
- Urged for increased funding for immigration legal services, stronger protections for immigrant communities, and investment in community education and outreach
Sierra Kraft
5:02:59
Hi.
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Good afternoon, Chairperson Aviles and members of the Committee on Immigration and for the opportunity to speak today and for holding this hearing and the very invigorating rally this morning.
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I really didn't realize how much I needed that and, just feel very much part of this community.
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So thank you for taking the time to do that.
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My name is Sierra Craft, and I'm the executive director of the of ICARE.
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We're a coalition of legal service organizations providing free legal representation to unaccompanied children facing deportation in New York City.
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Today, I wanna highlight the urgent need for increased protections and resources for immigrant youth.
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Nearly 2,000,000 children in New York City, that's 1 in 2, have at least 1 immigrant parent.
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These children and families are vital to our city's strength, and yet they walk around with targets on their backs as they face the escalating threats from federal policies designed to harm and divide.
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No child should fear going to school and no family should live in constant fear of being torn apart.
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Bold action and increased investment are needed in this moment.
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And we're proud to stand alongside the council in supporting the transformative legislation like the Access to Representation Act and the New York For All.
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These measures are vital to ensuring immigrant communities remain safe and protected.
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But beyond this legislative advocacy, we need immediate and substantial investments to address the growing need and demand for legal services.
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At eye care, we've seen firsthand what legal representation means for unaccompanied children.
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Most most of the people we serve have the right to remain in this country, but without a lawyer, navigating the immigration system is nearly impossible.
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But with legal representation, their chance of success jumps to over 90%.
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Last year, ICARE served over 2,000 children, but the demand far exceeds the available resources.
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So we urge the council to take bold action in 3 key areas, increase funding for immigration legal services, legal representation saves lives and keeps families together, and expanding funding ensures that no child has to face immigration court alone, strengthen protections for immigrant communities, and invest in community education and outreach.
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So increase funding for Know Your Rights training and language access programs.
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Thank you for your ongoing commitment to uplifting immigrant communities, and we look forward to our continued partnership together.