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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Catherine Gonzalez, Supervising Attorney and Policy Counsel at Brooklyn Defender Services

3:51:19

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Catherine Gonzalez from Brooklyn Defender Services testifies about the importance of the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP) in providing legal representation for immigrants facing deportation. She emphasizes the critical need for a strong immigration defense program in light of increased enforcement efforts and potential changes to deportation processes.

Highlights the complex nature of immigration cases and the need for specialized expertise
Expresses concern about due process rights being affected by new expedited removal processes
Stresses the need for flexibility and resources to respond quickly to fast-moving deportation cases

Catherine Gonzalez

3:51:19

Good afternoon.

3:51:20

My name is Catherine Gonzalez.

3:51:22

I am a supervising attorney and policy counsel at Brooklyn Defender Services along with the Legal Aid Society of Bronx Defenders.

3:51:29

Brooklyn Defender Services has provided robust and comprehensive legal representation and wraparound support services for people in detained proceedings for over a decade.

3:51:39

I'd like to thank the City Council for its consistent support of the NIFA program, the nation's first publicly funded universal representation program for immigrants in deportation proceedings.

3:51:49

And also thank you, Chair Aviles, for your strong support and for today's opportunity to testify.

3:51:56

I wanna highlight the ways in which advocacy of the NIFA up program has continued to be vitally important for New Yorkers facing deportation.

3:52:03

Now more than ever, New York needs a strong and steadfast immigration defense program to meet the current unprecedented increase in enforcement and use specifically.

3:52:13

As my colleague stated, mass detention and deportation efforts have begun across this country, with New York City and those with criminal legal system involvement being particular targets.

3:52:23

NYF UP serves New York immigrant communities in complex immigration matters in a rapidly changing legal immigration landscape.

3:52:31

The complex nature of the cases our offices handle required specialized expertise and extensive preparation of resources.

3:52:39

We anticipate a rapid change in the size, scope, and the pace of our work based upon the stated intention to really quickly detain and deport thousands of New Yorkers.

3:52:53

We are also concerned about the due process rights that will be taken away from New Yorkers who are gonna be subjected to the new expedited removal expansion and processes.

3:53:04

When ICE arrest immigrant New Yorkers prior to the resolution of their pending state cases here in New York City, it infringes upon their ability to participate in their local family or criminal court cases.

3:53:15

Detained detention detained deportation cases move really fast, sometimes going to trial within weeks.

3:53:21

And so we just want the council to know that our programs must remain flexible and have the resources needed to respond as quickly as needed.

3:53:30

Thank you very much.

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Testimony by Karla Ostolaza, Managing Director of Immigration Practice at The Bronx Defenders

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Testimony by Deborah Lee, Attorney in Charge of the Immigration Law Unit at Legal Aid Society