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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Meetu Dhar, Managing Attorney of City Council Program at CUNY Citizenship Now
3:58:06
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168 sec
Meetu Dhar, representing CUNY Citizenship Now, advocates for increased funding for immigrant legal services in New York City. She highlights the organization's impact, serving over 74,000 immigrants since 2010, and requests $5 million in funding for fiscal year 2026 to meet growing demands and expand services.
- CUNY Citizenship Now provided assistance to nearly 5,000 New Yorkers in the last fiscal year, offering free services such as citizenship events, immigration consultations, and application assistance.
- The organization emphasizes the need for expanded services due to increased deportations and policy changes causing fear and confusion in immigrant communities.
- Proposed service expansions include additional "Know Your Rights" presentations, extra service days for council members, creating a hotline, and holding more citizenship events throughout the city.
Meetu Dhar
3:58:06
Thank you chair Aviles and honorable members of the immigration committee for holding this hearing at a time when immigrants need our assistance now more than ever.
3:58:13
My name is Mithya Darin.
3:58:15
As the managing attorney of the City Council Program for CUNY Citizenship Now, I'm here on behalf of our interim director Monique Francis and the staff of CUNY Citizenship Now to advocate for funding for immigrant legal service providers.
3:58:27
CUNY Citizenship Now has been a beacon of hope and support for thousands of immigrants in New York City.
3:58:33
Since the expansion of services to New York City Council members in 2010, we've assisted over 74,000 immigrants by providing free, high quality, and confidential immigration services.
3:58:44
As frontline providers, we serve constituents from all 51 New York City Council districts and provide in person assistance at council member district offices and community based organizations throughout the city.
3:58:56
We also provide remote services as needed.
3:58:59
Our program serve as a lifeline for immigrants who want to remain in The United States and build a better future in the city.
3:59:05
In the last fiscal year, CUNY Citizenship Now assisted close to 5,000 New Yorkers.
3:59:10
In addition to our large scale citizenship events sponsored by council members, constituents receive one on one immigration consultations and assistance completing applications in the areas of naturalization and family based immigration.
3:59:24
These services are provided free of charge ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent individuals from accessing the help that they need.
3:59:31
Under the new administration, there's been an increase in deportations carried out by ICE, creating fear within the immigrant community.
3:59:38
Reports indicate that on average, since January 20, ICE has removed 9,400 immigrants per week with plans to increase these numbers.
3:59:47
Additionally, the rapid onslaught of executive orders and policy changes has caused confusion, turmoil, and panic.
3:59:53
Many immigrants are finding themselves in harrowing situations, unsure of their rights and options.
3:59:59
To address the needs of constituents, CUNY Citizenship Now is offering workshops that provide valuable information and resources to help immigrants understand their rights and protections.
4:00:09
The demand for our services continue to grow exponentially.
4:00:12
Our current funding will not allow us to meet these increased needs.
4:00:15
We're seeking 5,000,000 in funding for fiscal year twenty twenty six, a restoration of our current 3,100,000.0 allocation and an enhancement of 1,900,000.0.
4:00:24
Increased funding will allow the program to expand services at a time when it's needed most, including offering know your rights presentations, additional know your rights presentations providing an extra day of service to council members, creating a hotline, and holding more citizenship events throughout the city.
4:00:41
We urge you to continue supporting funding for immigration services.
4:00:44
Together, we can ensure that invaluable programs like CUNY Citizenship Now continue to provide the assistance and services that so many New Yorkers rely on.
4:00:53
Thank you.