By Bill Parry
In the midst of what he calls “attacks on hardworking and immigrant families in the era of President Trump,” state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) has launched free legal counseling services focusing on housing and immigration. Peralta secured a $50,000 state allocation to the CUNY School of Law’s Community Legal Resource Network to provide qualified attorneys and offer needed services to constituents.
“I am determine to fight Trump and his un-American, anti-immigrant policies that deeply hurt our communities and our hardworking families,” Peralta said. “For the past year, pushing back against Trumpism has been at the core of my efforts to defend and protect New Yorkers. Plans to end DACA, build a wall and executive orders for a travel ban have traumatized many people. It is frightening to see immigrants go about their daily lives with fear in their eyes, and I am not going to tolerate it. This is whay, in the era of Trump, I partnered with professionals from the CUNY School of Law to offer free legal services to my constituents.”
The free legal counseling services include assistance with deportation proceedings, immigration actions taken by the federal government, housing discrimination and tenant harassment, among others. Those seeking free legal consultation are asked to call his office and schedule an appointment at (718) 205-3881. All cases will be kept confidential and attorneys can answer questions, review documents, give legal options on a current problem and explain the law and legal process.
“We at the Community Legal Resource Network from CUNY School of Law, are delighted to partner with Senator Peralta to provide the community with greatly needed legal information and consultations in the areas of immigration and housing,” said Alizabeth Newman, executive director of the Community Legal Resource Network, said. “We commend Senator Peralta for being a leader in bringing state resources to the vast gap in access to legal services for low-income New Yorkers.”
Newman noted that having legal advice and analysis before or during a legal process can make a huge difference in a person’s ability to defend his or her rights. The attorneys however, are not able to go to court or take on full representation of cases, as some could take years.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
