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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sophie Dalsimer, Co-Director of Health Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI)
3:55:49
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Sophie Dalsimer, Co-Director of the Health Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), testifies about the importance of the Immigrant Health Initiative and requests increased funding to address urgent needs in immigrant healthcare and legal representation. She highlights the challenges faced by immigrants in accessing healthcare and legal services in the current political climate.
- NYLPI is seeking a $650,000 allocation from the City Council's Immigrant Health Initiative for fiscal year 2026.
- The organization focuses on medical advocacy for detained immigrants and provides culturally competent legal representation for transgender immigrants and those living with HIV.
- NYLPI is responding to concerns from healthcare providers about ICE enforcement in medical facilities following the rescission of the sensitive locations memorandum.
Sophie Dalsimer
3:55:49
My name is Sophie Dalsimer and I'm co director of the Health Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest.
3:55:55
Thank you Chair Aviles and members of the council for the opportunity to testify today.
3:56:00
New York lawyers for the public interest is privileged to be part of the city council's immigrant health initiative and we thank you for that support.
3:56:07
We ask the council to continue and enhance support for this initiative which continues to save lives and improve health across our city.
3:56:15
Due to the growing complexity of immigration representation and healthcare access in this political moment, we are seeking a $650,000 allocation from city council's immigrant health initiative in the fiscal year 2026.
3:56:29
This work takes on heightened urgency in the face of a hostile federal administration and a lack of mayoral leadership where we have seen that adverse immigration actions can be a matter of life or death.
3:56:40
As increasing numbers of New Yorkers are detained in immigration jails, we are one of few organizations focused on medical advocacy and the acute health hazards of immigration detention.
3:56:51
Similarly, in the face of continued attacks on people of transgender experience, we continue to offer culturally competent legal representation and connections to gender affirming healthcare to immigrants who identify as transgender, gender non conforming, and those living with HIV.
3:57:07
In addition, we are a trusted resource for immigrants in New York City who have serious medical conditions or disabilities through holistic direct legal representation, litigation, community education, strategic partnerships with public hospitals, and non legal advocacy.
3:57:21
And most recently, our office has responded to demand from medical providers on how to ensure that their facilities remain safe for immigrant patients now that the Trump administration has rescinded the sensitive locations memorandum, which historically limited ICE enforcement at healthcare settings.
3:57:39
Doctors and healthcare workers have come to us and they are overwhelmed and panicked about how to serve their immigrant patients.
3:57:47
Community members are foregoing vital services out of fear that they will be detained or deported.
3:57:54
With your continued and enhanced support, we look forward to continuing to respond to these urgent needs and advocating for our immigrant communities.
3:58:02
Thank you.