As deportations keep growing in the communities of New York, the fight to protect the immigrant community from immigration enforcement agencies such as ICE is urging. Even residents with no criminal history or legal status in the United States have become at risk of deportation, causing them to live with constant fear of being separated from their families.
“I think this is a clear indication about why we need New York For All,” said Cassandra Bocanegra, the Senior Manager of organizing strategy for the Finger Lakes region with the New York Immigration Coalition. “Our immigration system, and our criminal court system are two different systems. And when they start colliding, it leaves a lot of room for error. Our local and state agencies are not trained on immigration.”
The proposed New York State law aims to limit the collaboration between state and local authorities and federal immigration enforcement agencies. Concerned over whether ICE complies with regulations and abuses authority, the act restricts the sharing of sensitive information and limits the agency’s access to non-public areas of state property without a warrant.
Bocanegra argues that the mass deportation agenda proposed under President Donald J. Trump’s administration was never about “keeping our country safe.” Rather, the objective was to make sure that immigrant communities felt the fear.
“I grew up hearing that this country was built by immigrants, for immigrants,” said Bocanegra. “And that the American dream was something that everyone can accomplish. That is the reality that a lot of immigrant communities held. A lot of first generation immigrants. And that’s the reason people arrived here.”
As an activist of immigrant rights, Bocanegra has heard the fear and concern expressed by the immigrant community firsthand. Several residents have withheld their children from going to school out of fear that ICE may enter the building. Others are afraid to even go to work, as there is no guarantee that their employers will be able to protect them. That burden has become unbearable, due to the added weight in fear of local and state agencies joining forces with ICE.
“I’ve heard from a lot of folks in the community that they’re afraid of this new administration,” said Bocanegra. “And the new reality that we live in. Where we don’t know who is going to be safe, and who’s not. We don’t know who we can trust. I think it’s very clear that our communities are afraid.”
There is no telling where detained immigrants may wind up, as the Trump Administration has worked out agreements with several Latin American countries to serve as destinations for those deported. Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador have reportedly received more than half of the deportation flights between January and March.
It is clear however, that the migrants aren’t likely to get sent back to their countries of origin. As due process isn’t a factor among these cases, there is a sense that the administration has gone overboard with their agenda.
“It’s a clear violation of human rights,” said Bocanegra. “It’s a clear violation of legal rights. It’s a clear indication that our systems are broken. Our criminal justice system is broken. Our immigration system is broken. This is not the way to fix it.”
With the aim to offer protection and security among the immigrant community, the New York For All act will be a big step forward in ensuring their rights. Bocanegra states that there is “significant support” for the bill, as a variety of Senators and Assembly Members are signed on as co-sponsors for the bill.
Bocanegra continues to prepare allies, and works with other organizations and coalitions to bring focus on New York For All, as well as other bills that would offer support to the immigrant community.
“As I’ve told allies many, many times before,” said Bocanegra. “If you don’t feel comfortable as an American citizen, saying your rights. An immigrant who may or may not have (legal) status is not going to feel safe either.”
