Katz Releases Queens Directory Of Immigrant Services
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz on Friday released the latest edition of the Queens Directory of Immigrant Services, which was prepared by the Borough President’s Immigration Task Force and her Office of Immigrant and Intercultural Affairs.
The 2018-2019 edition of the Directory of Immigrant Services contains listings for nearly 100 non-profit organizations and agencies that provide assistance to immigrants living in Queens. It features listings for organizations represented on the Borough President’s Immigration Task Force,which is made up of representatives from social service providers and government agencies committed to serving immigrants in Queens and New York City.
“We are a nation of immigrants, and Queens is about all of our families’ futures,” said Katz. “Immigrants make up nearly half of our borough’s 2.3 million residents and contribute tremendously to the economic, social, cultural and civic life of our borough. The release of the latest edition of the Queens Directory of Immigrant Services affirms our commitment to doing everything possible to help all residents create a better life for themselves and their families.”
The intended audience includes people and organizations that work with immigrants (schools, health care facilities, Community Boards, library branches, other community-based organizations), as well as individual residents.
The Directory provides contact information for organizations and agencies, along with the types of programs and services offered, its fee structure (if any) and a list of the languages spoken by its staff. The organizations and agencies listed offer a wide variety of programs and services, including ESL and civics classes, citizenship assistance and legal advice, public benefits and health insurance access, employment training and job placement, youth activities and senior services, and immigrant rights and civic engagement projects.
The Queens Directory of Immigrant Services is available online at www.queensbp.org. Printed copies may be obtained by calling Borough President Melinda Katz’s office at 718.286.3000.
Weprin Calls on ICE, USDOJ to End Indefinite Detentions of Asylum Seekers and Administrative Detainees
Assemblyman David I. Weprin (D–Fresh Meadows, Richmond Hill), Assembly Correction Committee Chair, joined the New York Immigration Coalition, Legal Action Center, Chhaya CDC, affected family members, and others at the ICE Varick Street Detention Facility to call on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) to end the indefinite detentions of asylum seekers and other immigrants being held on administrative violations.
Weprin, who visited and met with immigrant detainees at the Albany County Jail last week, joined supporters and family members of detainees to share details of several instances where undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers have been held for extended periods while awaiting court proceedings or additional instructions. This despite either having demonstrated a credible fear and being deemed eligible for asylum, having already volunteered for deportation or being held as a result of administrative violations.
“I’m calling for the unequivocal end of the indefinite detention of asylum seekers and other immigration detainees in New York State jails,” said Weprin. “Roughly 270 individuals, guilty of no felony, are being held at the Albany County Jail at the behest of ICE and the US Department of Justice without being given concrete court dates or release dates. The Federal Government must expedite these cases, add more judges, provide for hearing in Albany, or simply, just release these individuals. People should not have to wait weeks on end in a jail. This is an injustice to all Americans.”
Addabbo & CUNY To Host College Info Session Next Month
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D- Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth and parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) next month is joining The City University of New York (CUNY) to bring a CUNY College Information Session to a high school in Forest Hills.
During the Information Session, prospective college students from across the district can come to MELS to find out important information on CUNY’s numerous undergraduate colleges, their range of academic offerings, an overview of what student life is like at a CUNY college, the activities and services they offer, financial aid and scholarship opportunities, as well as how to apply for them.
“This College Information Session with CUNY is a great way for those thinking about attending a city university to gain a wealth of knowledge about all of CUNY’s offerings,” Addabbo said. “I encourage all high school students — as well as anyone else who is ready to make the leap into higher education — to come out to this Information Session as it could put you on the path to a great college experience. I would like to thank CUNY for again partnering with me on this important event and MELS for opening up their amazing school for us.”
The CUNY Information session is slated for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School (MELS), 91-30 Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills.
For more information on this event, contact Addabbo’s office at 718-738-1111.
