In a letter to NYS Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Heastie, more than 75 organizations, including Schuyler Center, have urged the passing of the New York for All (S.2235A Gounardes/A.3506A Reyes) actto support New York’s immigrant children and families.
As immigration enforcement increases, the impacts of family separation on children can be devastating, resulting in long-term health and psychological effects. It also results in fewer families accessing the programs and benefits for which they are eligible. As we have seen throughout the state and nation, unclear lines between local, state, and federal responsibilities are harmful to communities and costly for municipalities. The New York for All Act will help to address these concerns by:
- Clearly delineating the line between New York State and county programs and federal immigration enforcement.
- Providing direction to all New York state and local agencies and personnel to refrain from engaging in any federal immigration enforcement activity except what is explicitly required by governing federal law.
- Ensuring that state and municipal resources are not diverted to support immigration enforcement efforts that often cause devastating harm to families and children.
Schuyler Center joined advocates at the NYS Capitol last Thursday to call for the passing of New York for All. At the rally, Schuyler Center Director of Policy Dede Hill spoke.
“As the federal government focuses on detaining and deporting our immigrant neighbors, it is up to New York State to act decisively to protect and support our immigrant children and their families—this year. We urge the New York State Legislature to pass, and Governor Hochul to sign, the New York for All Act (S.2235/A.3506) to ensure that New York State is the best place for all families, regardless of immigration status, to live, work, learn, and grow,” said Dede Hill, Director of Policy at the Schuyler Center.
Approximately 37.5% of New York children—more than 1,406,000 children—live in immigrant families, and an estimated 324,400 children across New York State live with an undocumented family member. Even short-term separations can have lasting impacts on children’s health and development. Additionally, sweeping, non-targeted immigration enforcement threatens to cause a surge in children entering the child welfare system due to the detention or deportation of a caregiver.
The organizations that signed the letter are dedicated to the health and wellbeing of New York’s children, families, and communities and expressed concern about the impacts of family separation—through detention and deportation—on New York State’s children. Organizations signing on to the letter represent child care centers, educators, health care providers, anti-hunger advocates, faith leaders, housing advocates, child welfare advocates, and other advocates for children and families.
The full sign on letter can be read here: https://scaany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NY4All-Sign-on-Letter.pdf
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