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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Vladimir Tlali, Senior Policy Strategist at New York Immigration Coalition
4:32:39
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171 sec
Vladimir Tlali, representing the New York Immigration Coalition, testifies against Mayor Eric Adams' proposed budget cuts and collaboration with the Trump administration. He urges the City Council to restore and expand funding for immigrant services, emphasizing the need to support asylum seekers and protect immigrant communities.
- Highlights specific budget priorities, including $59 million for immigration legal services, $40 million for the Immigrant Opportunity Initiative, and $25 million for the Citywide Rapid Response Fund.
- Calls for policy actions such as the introduction of Intro 214 (NYC Trust Act) and the street vendors package to protect vulnerable immigrants.
- Emphasizes New York's legacy as a welcoming city and the importance of supporting all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status.
Vladimir Tlali
4:32:39
Hello, everyone.
4:32:42
My name is Vladimir Tlali, and I am the senior policy strategist at the New York Immigration Coalition.
4:32:48
Thank you, chair Aviles, and members of the immigration committee for the opportunity to testify.
4:32:53
Today, I speak on behalf of over 200 immigrant serving organizations and the millions of New Yorkers who depend on a budget that reflects our city values, not one that abandons them.
4:33:03
Our communities are outraged by mayor Eric Adams back from deals with the Trump administration, trading away the safety and dignity of immigrant New Yorkers in exchange for his federal corruption charges being dropped.
4:33:15
The actions of this administration have eroded trust in city government, spread fear in our communities, and intentionally collaborated with a federal agenda of cruelty, scapegoating, and neglect, one that targets our hardworking neighbors and separate our families.
4:33:31
We are deep deeply disappointed by this administration proposed budget cuts, gutting legal services, eliminating funding for asylum seekers, and slashing programs that sustain working families is a direct attack in our communities.
4:33:44
Since 2022, New York has welcomed over 230,000 asylum seekers.
4:33:49
Taking away their support is not just physically reckless.
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It is morally indefensible.
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The city council must act now.
4:33:56
Council member Abiles, members of the Immigration and Finance Committee.
4:33:59
Today, we urge you to restore and expand funding for legal services, childcare, education, and housing programs.
4:34:06
These programs are not luxury.
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They are the foundation of a fair and a just society.
4:34:12
Among our budget priorities, I want to highlight a few.
4:34:15
59 millions for million dollars for immigration legal services.
4:34:20
40 millions for the immigrant opportunity initiative, and 25,000,000 for the citywide rapid response fund.
4:34:26
Additionally, we must protect and uplift working families by ensuring funding for adult literacy, two k, pre k, three k, and universal childcare.
4:34:35
Beyond the budget, we also demand bold policy action to protect the most vulnerable within us.
4:34:40
This includes the introduction two fourteen, the New York City Trust Act, which could grant immigrant New Yorkers the right to sue if their legal protections are violated, and the street vendors package, which could increase permits, eliminate criminal liability, and create work opportunities for hardworking vendors.
4:34:56
New York has always been a beacon and a century for those seeking a better life.
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Where someone has been here thirty years or thirty days, they deserve our support.
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This is who we are, and this is what we believe.
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Now we must act.
4:35:09
In times of national darkness, the city budget must reflect our legacy as a welcoming city.
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We cannot allow fear or political arrangements to dictate our policies.
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New York must lead lie the way forward.
4:35:21
We urge the council to stand firm, fight back, and ensure that every New Yorker, regardless of immigration status, can thrive and call this city home.
4:35:29
Thank you so much.