Yesterday, President Trump cruelly ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. Now, nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as young children are at risk for deportation from the only country they’ve ever known. This decision is simply unconscionable.

DACA recipients or Dreamers deserve respect and dignity. Here in New York, we have close to 89,000 Dreamers who are students or work as doctors, lawyers, in retail and in many other capacities. They contribute every day.

Pursuant to the order, Congress has just six months to devise a comprehensive immigration plan that will protect, not only the DACA recipients, but other undocumented immigrants by granting a path to citizenship. Congress must act — without using the Dreamers as a bargaining chip to fund a border wall, stepped-up deportations and cuts to legal immigration — and pass laws such as the Dream Act or Hope Act.

 NCJW New York is thrilled to provide free legal counseling through the Mobile Legal Center of New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) here at Council House on September 18th and October 2nd. The Mobile Legal Center’s bilingual staff provides free legal assistance on civil issues. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please contact our staff social worker at 646-884-9471 to make an appointment.

NCJW NY is also pleased to report that it has enhanced its advocacy work by adding an Immigration and Refugee Initiative that will focus on educating our community on the issues facing immigrants living in NY and the US.  We plan to provide hands on opportunities to take action.  If you are interested in joining our committee please contact Yael Reisman, Director of Outreach and Engagement, at 646-884-9462.

Maria Mostajo

President, NCJW NY

Andrea Salwen Kopel

Executive Director, NCJW NY