In December of last year, and after a long campaign promoted by different organizations such as the NYIC (New York immigration Coalition) and political leaders such as former councilman ydanis rodriguezthe Municipal Council approved the law “Our City, Our Vote”enacted in January, which restored the right to vote for more than 800,000 non-citizen immigrants in New York City municipal elections.
Immediate opponents of the measure, mostly republicansthey put the scream in the sky, and filed a lawsuit before the Court of Richmond, on Staten Island, where this Tuesday the proceedings began where they demand that the law be overturned and defenders defend it. There, dozens of activists, community organizers and immigrants gathered to demand that the court support the conquered right.
In the midst of their claims, the protesters mentioned that the lawsuit seeks to dispossess residents, DACA and TPS recipientsholders of work visas and other migratory relief from the right to vote in elections for Mayor, Municipal Council, county presidents and other public positions in the City, which they consider a setback.
“We won’t let the far right derail New York City’s bold commitment to democracy. That is why today La Colmena takes the fight to court,” he said. Yesenia Mataexecutive director of the group La Colmena, referring to Staten Island DACA recipients who are taking the fight to the courtroom to uphold the law.
Angel Salazarstudent, and essential worker stated that he will fight to not allow the law that will allow him to vote from the 2023 elections to be overturned.
“I am here today to say to those who oppose someone like me being able to vote, that my vote and my voice matter. I will not stop fighting until all undocumented people can live in this city with dignity and respect”, said the “dacamentado”.
Emily Pradoanother young DACA recipient who wants to be able to use the new municipal right at the polls, noted that her ability to vote is also a way for her parents’ voice to be represented.
“Through the Our City, Our Vote law, I will be one of the first in my family to be able to vote in municipal elections, and through this vote, my parents will also have a voice…Today I am here to intervene and make them heard. listen to my voice,” said the immigrant.
Carlos Vargasplaintiff, who is a lawyer, said it is vital that the right to vote for non-citizens be preserved and defended as an act of justice.
“As a DACA recipient, taxpayer, homeowner, and resident of Staten Island, it is crucial to be a part of the political process to have a voice in choosing our representatives,” said the advocate. “These elected officials make policy decisions at the most local level of our government. These decisions impact my daily life as a New York City resident.”
Murad Awawdehexecutive director of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) criticized Republicans for try to take away the right to vote immigrants and assured that those communities will prevail.
“Today’s court proceedings are yet another example of Republicans trying to disenfranchise Black and Latino communities through misinformation and deception,” the activist said. “Local Law 11 would make it possible for immigrant New Yorkers who are active in their communities, work here, raise children and pay taxes here to participate in their local democracy.”
Fulvia Vargas de LeonAssociate Counselor of the organization LatinoJustice PRLDEF, mentioned that they will not allow the right to new voters, which will give more than 800,000 New Yorkers a voice in local government, is hindered and they will give battle.
“As we stand for a representative and inclusive democracy, we must include those who serve our communities on the front lines of emergency services, raise their children here, and
they call this city home,” said the community leader. “Our fellow New Yorkers who recently gained the right to vote through this law deserve the right to exercise their vote to have a voice on local issues that affect their lives.”
Ben Thomasesexecutive director of the Queens Community House organizationurged the court to do the right thing and warned that thousands of immigrants who contribute to the development of the Big Apple cannot continue to be relegated.
“Many of our neighbors in the communities we serve have not been able to vote on policies affecting their daily lives despite contributing to the economic, cultural and social development of the city,” said Thomases. “The Our City, Our Vote Act supports giving immigrants in Queens and the rest of New York City a voice in our democracy. All of our neighbors should have a say in how the City responds to the needs of the communities.”
Susan Stamlerexecutive director of United Barrio Houses (UNH)emphasized that the majority participation of the communities in the local government is a benefit for all.
“The more opportunities there are to bring eligible voters into the system, the stronger our democracy grows (…) We hope that the court will confirm this law so we can start working with voter education and registration to reach the 800,000 residents of New York City who now have the right to vote,” said the activist.
Rawaa Nancy Albilalpresident and executive director of the AAFSC organization, assured that leaving the law in the inkwell will mean the continuity of the lack of access to democratic systems that impact the lives of all immigrant New Yorkers.
“At a time when the right to vote is experiencing significant threats across the country, New York City must support greater civic engagement and a commitment to ensure equal political representation and investment in diverse immigrant communities,” said the community leader.
Jerry Vattamaladirector of the democracy program of the Asian American Legal Defense association
and Education Fund (AALDEF), put on the table the need to implement this law for the immigrant community, not only Latinos and other regions, but especially the Asian.
“Asian residents of New York City have suffered from continued and escalating violence against Asians, the highest poverty rate of any racial group, and unnecessary institutional barriers to accessing social services,” the activist said. “The Asian population in New York has grown faster than any racial group over the last decade, yet our community does not have the representation it needs to address these comprehensive community issues. Restoring voting rights to nearly a million city residents is the right thing to do and must be upheld by our communities.”
ydanis rodriguezcurrent member of the Administration of the Mayor Eric Adamswho has defended tooth and nail the voting law for non-citizen immigrants, assured that democracy becomes stronger when the voices of immigrants are included.
“As an essential part of the community, immigrants deserve to have their voices heard at the polls as well. As an immigrant, I have always valued the importance of participating in public life, even when I was unable to cast my vote. If it becomes law, the municipal vote will benefit almost a million immigrants“, said the Transportation Commissioner today.
On their day of protest in front of the headquarters of Staten Island Courtthe protesters also took the opportunity to demand to Mayor Adams and for the City Council to create a $25 million fund to boost voter registration, provide translation services, while educating voters about the new right in every county. They also called for the New York City Board of Elections (BOE) to properly and accurately implement Local Law 11.
The law of the municipal vote of non-citizen immigrants in figures
- Local Law 11 of 2022 is the name of the law approved in December of last year by the City Council and enacted in January
- Its implementation would begin in the municipal elections of 2023
- 800,000 to 900,000 non-citizen immigrants would benefit
- Residents with Green Cards, DACA recipients, New Yorkers with immigration protections, TPS, work visas and other programs that grant work permission, will be able to vote
- 30 days of living in the city will need to prove new voters to be able to register, as indicated by the current electoral rules for citizens, this does not have any type of change
- Non-citizen voters will be able to vote only for local elections
- They will be able to vote for positions such as Mayor, Municipal Comptroller, Ombudsman, Councilors and county presidents
- On June 7, proceedings began in the Staten Island Court, which is reviewing a lawsuit filed by Republicans to overturn the law and potential beneficiaries of the new vote defending it
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