Supporting our Immigrant City
Once again, immigrants in New York City and around the country are afraid for their families and their communities. CWE’s Immigration Protection Group and our partners are mobilizing to support them in this moment.
The IPG was founded in 2018 to bring together the city’s immigrant legal, educational, and movement organizations to coordinate services and fundraising. With support from the New York City Council, IPG has been able to provide Know Your Rights training to thousands of the city’s most vulnerable immigrants. The funding has also supported other education programs to help immigrant workers become citizens and learn English.
“We stand on the side of workers, regardless of their immigration status,” says Darly Corniel, CWE’s Director of Education, who leads the IPG’s work.
IPG partners have been preparing for renewed attacks on immigrants. Immigrants who came to the U.S. legally under special programs created by the Biden Administration, including from Haiti, Ukraine, and Venezuela, are particularly vulnerable. Asylum seekers in City shelters could also be targeted.
“Our partners that provide legal services are at the forefront,” says Corniel. “They are getting their helmets on, their gloves on. They are ready to go out and fight for their communities.”
IPG partners like Make the Road New York and New York Communities for Change are training their community members about their legal rights regarding immigration enforcement.
“We are asking people to protect each other and know their rights,” said Corniel. “As parents, what can the school ask you or not? As workers, what are your rights in the workplace? As an immigrant, what is your status and what are you eligible for?”
Other IPG members like CIANA, Ansob Center for Refugees, and St. Jerome Hands are providing legal services, citizenship classes, and ESL.
“I am humbled by the work that our partners do on the ground,” says Corniel. “Partners who are not used to working with undocumented immigrants are stepping up to meet those needs.”
Eight years ago, there was an outpouring of support for our vulnerable neighbors. Today we need the same level of outrage and financial commitment from elected officials to support our immigrant city.