Golden, Felder, Malliotakis Decry Funding For Illegal Immigrant Legal Services In City Budget
New York State Senators Martin Golden (R-C-I, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) and Simcha Felder (D-Midwood, Flatbush, Borough Park, Kensington, Sunset Park, Madison, Bensonhurst) are denouncing the recently Fiscal Year 2018 City Budget for funding legal services for illegal immigrants, including those that have been convicted of violent felony crimes.
“As written, the budget would allow the Council Speaker and others to spend tens of millions of dollars of taxpayer money on deportation lawyers for illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes like rape and murder. This is an egregious misuse of taxpayer funds that has to be stopped. Mayor de Blasio must veto this shortsighted provision immediately, and prevent the City Council from ever enacting it into law,” said Golden and Felder in a joint statement.
“New York City must do everything it can to ensure it doesn’t allow dangerous felons to remain on the streets. If the Mayor fails to veto this measure, it would show that he cares very little about the hardworking citizens he is supposed to represent,” the lawmakers added.
Assemblywoman and Mayoral Candidate Nicole Malliotakis (R-Bay Ridge, Staten Island) also called on de Balsio “to show some backbone and stand-up to Speaker Viverito and the City Council” on the allocation of taxpayer money to defend violent felons who are illegal immigrants from deportation.
“It is unacceptable that he plans to sign a budget that provides millions to pay for the legal defense of murderers, rapists and other felons slated for deportation. Meanwhile we have a subway system in need of desperate upgrades, outdated traffic lights creating congestion and fellow New Yorkers sleeping on the streets,” said Malliotakis.
Clarke Holds Discussion On Haitian TPS Extension
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Brownsville, Sheepshead Bay) will host a briefing to discuss the issues facing Haiti during the Trump Administration later today.
Late last month, Department of Homeland Security Secretary, John Kelly, extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to immigrants of Haiti for an additional six months, 12 months shy of the usual 18 months given. The shortage has caused many TPS-holders to arrange and prepare for departure from the U.S. within the coming six months as the extension deadline, January 22, 2018, nears. Over 55,000 people are currently under TPS designation in the U.S.
It was in the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake that the U.S. originally granted Haitians TPS, a designation afforded to nationals of countries experiencing humanitarian crisis such as environmental disasters or epidemics which prevent nationals from returning safely.
The discussion will focus on security integration efforts, improving rule of law, economic development, environmental threats and implementation of the U.S. – Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act.
The event is slated for 3:30 p.m. today, June 8, at 2060 Rayburn House Building in Washington D.C.
Cumbo Leads Father’s Day Pledge Against Violence
New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) will host the 8th Annual New York City Father’s Day Pledge today.
Alongside CONNECT, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and elimination of interpersonal violence in New York City, the event will feature a public pledge to oppose all forms of violence including celebrating the vital roles men and boys play in ending violence in homes, schools and neighborhoods, and in building safe families and peaceful communities.
The event is slated for 12 noon, today, June 8, at the Steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
CM Williams Applauds HPD’s New Summer Hours
City Council Member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Crown Heights Midwood) is applauding the Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD)new summer hours in partnership with the City Council.
The new program looks to open a direct line of communication between HPD’s Office of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services and New York City Council Districts citywide. Through HPD’s Summer Office Hours Program, HPD will hold office hours in each city council district to address the needs of constituents seeking information about building maintenance issues, and code enforcement process and services.
Staff from HPD’s Office of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services will be present for full-day sessions in Council Member’s Offices on a rotating schedule. Staff will take questions from building owners and tenants alike. Referrals on topics such as affordable housing, foreclosures, and tenant harassment will also be available.
“I’m proud to have worked with the Housing Preservation Department (HPD) to bring summer hours to council districts across the city. Streamlining access to information about resources and services can be the difference between someone seeking help, and someone suffering in silence. With HPD staff in district offices, constituents will be able to find the help they need conveniently,” said Williams.
Donovan Celebrates House Passage Of Bill Supporting Genocide Victims In Middle East
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) is celebrating the unanimous decision of the House of Representatives to pass his bill supporting genocide victims in the Middle East.
The legislation, which passed Monday night, directs the State Department and USAID to identify and provide humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery assistance to Iraqi and Syrian religious or ethnic minorities that have been subjected to ISIS genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes. Additionally, the bill seeks to improve investigations into, and prosecution of, perpetrators of genocide crimes by encouraging foreign governments to include identifying information in its security databases.
Last year, the United States declared ISIS atrocities against Christians, Yazidis, and other religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle East genocide. The State Department estimates that in Iraq, at least 250,000 Christians remain, down from an estimated 1.4 million in 2002, and 500,000 in 2013.
“The persecution and slaughter of Christians, Yazidis, and other religious minorities is a stark reminder that not every nation shares the ability to worship freely. We have a moral obligation to protect and support those targeted by genocide, and this bill will help ensure that Christians and minority groups in the Middle East have the resources they need to protect and rebuild their communities, as well as bring their aggressors to justice,” said Donovan.
