what to know
- The New York State Office for New Americans will administer a total of $3 million over three years to provide immigrants arriving in New York City with free immigration-related legal services and assistance with filing critical questions and required attendance.
- The new grants will expand ONA’s existing contracts with these providers and immediately strengthen their ability to support ongoing services to ensure the legal needs of newcomers are urgently addressed and supported throughout the immigration process.
- At present, once an asylum application has been filed with the federal government, the applicant is not eligible for employment clearance until his asylum application has been pending for 180 days.
NEW YORK – Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced the launch of three new legal services grants to help the thousands of immigrants who will arrive in New York City in 2022.
The New York State Office for New Americans will administer a total of $3 million over three years to provide immigrants arriving in New York City with free immigration-related legal services and assistance with filing critical questions and required attendance.
The announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s pledge to help new immigrants by supporting them throughout the immigration process.
“New York State has always been a beacon of hope, welcoming newly arrived immigrants with the promise of opportunity,” Governor Hochul said. “By providing them with the legal tools and resources they need to thrive, New York State will continue to encourage those who are seeking to build better lives for themselves and their families.”
This program, administered by the New York State Office for New Americans (ONA), will provide immigrants arriving in New York City with free immigration-related legal services and assistance with filing critical questions and required attendance.
ONA will immediately dedicate $3,000,000 in new grant funds over a three-year period to the provision of such free legal services to immigrants through the following three community organizations:
- Catholic Charities Community Services (CCCS), Archdiocese of New York;
- New York Legal Aid Group (NYLAG)
- Immigrant Advocates Response Collaborative (I-ARC)
These three providers, already operating within the ONA’s existing network of non-profit organizations, have existed since the inception of the recent arrival of immigrants to New York City providing expertise in the provision and coordination of legal services.
The new grants will expand ONA’s existing contracts with these providers and immediately strengthen their ability to support ongoing services to ensure the legal needs of newcomers are urgently addressed and supported throughout the immigration process.
These resources will help more immigrants faster with their asylum applications and other immigration-related legal matters, including representing newcomers.
“The safety and well-being of migrants arriving in our state is a top priority, as individuals and families find themselves in unfamiliar territory trying to acclimate to a whole new world,” said the New York Secretary of State, Robert J. Rodriguez. “This additional funding for legal services will help our partners help the incoming migrant population understand and navigate the various government programs designed to assist them. New York has always been a welcoming place for people from all over the world. which makes our state such a vibrant and cultural place to be.
Through ONA’s existing legal providers, CCCS and NYLAG, newly arrived immigrants can access free legal services including, but not limited to: change of address; change of location; asylum applications; assistance with the Employment Authorization Document (EAD); and defense against removal.
Additionally, this new initiative will strengthen the coordination and training efforts of I-ARC, which provides technical support to legal organizations assisting newcomers, legal advice for volunteers, and facilitates information sharing among legal providers and with the immigrant community. . The CCCS will also hire and support pro bono volunteer attorneys to provide additional capacity and legal assistance to newcomers, as well as referrals for non-law services.
At present, once an asylum application has been filed with the federal government, the applicant is not eligible for employment clearance until his asylum application has been pending for 180 days. However, an asylum seeker can apply for their Employment Authorization Document 150 days after submitting their asylum application in order to have a chance to receive Employment Authorization approval after the 180 days have elapsed. Once their EAD is approved, they will be able to seek employment to support themselves and their families.
“There has never been a greater need for legal services for immigrants in New York,” said Congresswoman Catalina Cruz. “As new Americans come to our great state from all parts of the world, New York continues to be a beacon of hope and humanity. I am pleased with the Governor’s pledge of an additional $3 million to help address the backlog of existing cases and helping immigrants get legal services so they can continue to call New York home.
