REMARKS
Council Member Crystal Hudson reintroduces resolution on immigrant legal representation
0:57:10
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Council Member Crystal Hudson reintroduces a resolution urging Albany to approve the Access to Representation Act, which would guarantee legal representation for all New Yorkers regardless of citizenship status. She emphasizes the growing urgency of this issue in light of rising xenophobia and introduces an additional resolution to protect New Yorkers' safety and rights.
- Resolution 556 from 2023 is being reintroduced due to increased urgency
- A new resolution, 717, urges state legislators to pass A270 and S141
- Hudson calls on colleagues to cosponsor Resolution 717
Crystal Hudson
0:57:10
Thank you, majority leader.
0:57:11
Today, I'm reintroducing a resolution that this body approved 2 years ago, not because we didn't get it right the first time, but because the urgency has only grown.
0:57:19
And I wanna thank speaker Adams for your unwavering and resolute message earlier.
0:57:24
In 2023, we passed resolution 556, which urged Albany to approve the access to representation act, which guarantees the right to legal representation to all New Yorkers regardless of citizenship status.
0:57:36
As a city, we have rejected the idea that immigrants facing deportation or detention should be denied civil and legal protections.
0:57:42
And now more than ever, we need the state to pass this vital legislation and show that it too still stands strong with immigrant communities across New York.
0:57:51
We're witnessing a troubling rise in xenophobia across the nation and a new presidential administration that has quite literally campaigned on dehumanizing immigrants.
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But here in New York, we know the truth.
0:58:01
Without immigrants, this city and this nation would not thrive.
0:58:05
That's why alongside chair Aviles, I'm introducing another resolution, resolution 717, urging our state legislators to pass a 270 and s 141, which is crucial to protecting all New Yorkers from the threats that endanger their safety and fundamental rights.
0:58:21
I urge you to join me once again and cosponsor resolution 717.
0:58:26
Thank you.