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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ernie Collette, Supervising Attorney of the Immigration Law Project at Mobilization for Justice
5:23:54
ยท
171 sec
Ernie Collette, representing Mobilization for Justice, urges the New York City Council to increase funding for immigrant legal services, emphasizing the critical need for representation in both affirmative and defensive proceedings. He highlights the growing fear in immigrant communities and the importance of providing safety and support.
- Calls for enhanced funding for initiatives like IOI, legal services for low-income immigrants, low-wage workers, and Protect NYC Families
- Stresses the need for representation as many legal service organizations are at capacity
- Describes a shift in their organization's model to be more community-based due to increased fear among immigrants
Ernie Collette
5:23:54
Good afternoon.
5:23:56
Thank you so much for the committee for allowing me to testify today.
5:24:00
My name is Ernie Collette.
5:24:01
I'm the supervising attorney of the immigration law project at Mobilization for Justice.
5:24:06
MFJ applauds the prior commitments made by the council to assist migrants in New York City, particularly when responding to the demand for immediate short term pro se application assistance, which frankly is still needed.
5:24:17
Notwithstanding, MFJ is urging the city council to make deep financial investments in the city's immigrant legal services community, specifically with enhancements to initiatives that include IOI, legal services for low income immigrants, low wage workers, and protect NYC families.
5:24:31
We must increase funding to nonprofit organizations that will provide access to representation in both affirmative and defensive proceedings.
5:24:38
Our office frequently screens requests from prospective clients whose primary request is representation.
5:24:44
Many individuals are in removal proceedings and require counsel for complex immigration matters and while many of the legal services organizations that I know of including our own remain at capacity.
5:24:55
With the continued rhetoric and actions taken by the federal government against migrants in the immigrant community, funding legal immigrant legal services is critical now more than ever.
5:25:05
As many migrants who receive short term pro se application assistance get jobs, rent apartments, attend school, pay taxes, and contribute to our local economy, many worry as how the lack of representation will impact their future to remain here.
5:25:20
Not only causing their new lives and positive contributions to our communities and our city to be upended, but also the benefits that we've received from their contributions within our communities.
5:25:30
While we can be proud of the short term pro se application assistance already provided, the job is far from done.
5:25:37
While priorities may have shifted, the needs have not and likely never have.
5:25:42
Support by the council to increase funding for representation as the demand for these services will remain as necessary if we wish if we wish to combat those who seek to separate immigrant families while living up to our history as a city that seeks to support all regardless of immigration status.
5:25:59
And, if I just may for a couple of seconds, since the inauguration I've had the privilege, the honor of being able to travel all over the city and do Know Your Rights presentations in person.
5:26:08
Been doing this work for twenty years.
5:26:11
I know I'm dating myself a little bit.
5:26:13
But, the the reality is I've never seen more fear in the eyes of of people that I speak with until recently.
5:26:21
We're adjusting our model at our organization to be more in the community because we feel that more individuals need us to go to them as opposed to a hotline or having people to come to us just because of the genuine fear that they're having.
5:26:35
They need to feel safe and we need to make sure that we're providing that safety for them, and your help in these times is absolutely critical.
5:26:43
So, for anything that you can do, thank you.