Adams, Espinal Rally Against Trump’s Proposed Changes To Immigrant Use Of Social Services
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams (D) and City Council Member Rafael Espinal (D-Bushwick, East New York) yesterday spoke out and launched campaigns against the Trump Administration’s proposed rule change that would render immigrants who receive certain forms of public assistance (i.e. Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP and Section 8 vouchers) potentially ineligible for U.S. permanent residency (Green Card).
In September 2018, federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it would significantly broaden the criteria it could use to label an immigrant applying for legal residency as a “public charge.” The rule change was published in the Federal Register earlier this week, kicking off a 60-day public comment period.
“The Trump Administration’s official proposal to deny permanent residency status or re-entry to the United States to any immigrant who receives some form of public assistance — including food stamps, Medicaid, public housing, or rent vouchers — is officially ludicrous. The rule change is draconian, stigmatizing hundreds of thousands of hard-working immigrant New Yorkers who support their families through low-wage jobs,” said Adams.
“I know from personal experience the heart-wrenching challenges of poverty, both psychologically and economically. There is no humanity to be found in this ‘public charge’ plan, and the fear surrounding its announcement may threaten the safety and welfare of vulnerable children and families, including reduced access to vital health care, housing support, and nutrition assistance.”
Espinal said DHS’s proposed public charge rules serve as further confirmation that deliberate cruelty is a centerpiece of President Trump’s governing agenda.
“There is no other way to explain – much less justify – a rule that would force over 75,000 immigrants in our city to choose between accessing benefits they’re legally entitled to and pursuing permanent residency. This also has the potential to prevent an additional 400,000 New Yorkers from getting their green card,” said Espinal.
“As the son of immigrants, representing a district of immigrants, I know first-hand how fears about immigration status can shake entire communities. That’s why I urge all New Yorkers to speak out against this malicious and inhumane policy, and sign onto this letter,” he added.
Adams encourages fellow concerned Brooklynites in submitting public comment to this federal rule change.
Espinal urged all New Yorkers to sign on to this letter demanding the DHS stop the rule change.
Cornegy Pushes Safety Legislation After Another Pedestrian Killed By Garbage Truck
City Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr. (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) yesterday further pushed his sanitation truck safety bill after a city garbage truck allegedly driving the wrong way down a one-way street in Crown Heights struck and killed a 37-year-old man.
The driver, 33-year-old Aaron Gilchrist, is charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian, driving the wrong direction on a one-way street and failure to exercise due care. The name of the victim, reportedly a local neighborhood resident, was not released at post time.
“While I have already proposed legislation to increase safety in the private waste carting industry, today’s tragic incident involving a city Sanitation Department truck is a reminder that we must continue working to increase safety in both the public and private sector of waste collection services,” said Cornegy.
“I will continue pushing for passage of my waste carting safety legislation – Intro 996 – and it is my hope that we can bring a similar, solutions-based focus to improving safety among the city’s Sanitation Department fleet. I also urge all stakeholders who have called for greater safety in the private waste industry to join me in pushing to increase safety in both the public and private sector of this field, since that kind of collaborative, across-the-board effort will help us deliver the positive change our communities need to see,” he added.
DA Gonzalez Accepting Applications For Mid-Winter, Spring Break Internships
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez (D) yesterday announced the start of the application process for high school juniors and seniors interested in participating in the mid-winter and spring break internship program.
The internship is open to students who live and /or attend high school in Brooklyn and are interested in learning about the different careers and responsibilities within the criminal justice system. The mid-winter internship cycle runs from Tuesday, February 19, 2019 to Friday, February 22, 2019. The spring internship cycle runs from Monday, April 22, 2019 to Friday, April 26, 2019.
“We are proud to offer a week-long internship during the mid-winter and spring breaks for Brooklyn’s high school students. During the week, students will receive exposure to the criminal justice system and gain an understanding and appreciation of a professional work setting,” said Gonzalez.
Selected students will be assigned to one of the many specialized units within the DA’s office, while also getting an overview of the criminal justice system. They can expect to assist with legal research and analysis; assist prosecutors preparing for trial; work on discovery; file maintenance and organizing court documents; participate in Trial Zone workshops; participate in judicial, legal and law enforcement-related field trips; and observe criminal proceedings including trials, guilty pleas and alternatives to incarceration.
During the week-long internship, participants will receive a MetroCard to cover transportation expenses. Internship hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Interns selected are expected to commit for the entire duration of the program.
Applicants are required to provide their most recent school transcript, a one-page resume, one letter of recommendation and must submit a 300-word typed essay (12 pt. font and double-spaced) on why they are interested in interning with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and what impact they think it will have on their future career goals and aspirations.
To apply, please visit: http://apply.brooklynda.org beginning October 11, 2018, to upload transcript, essay and resume. Only the recommendation letter should be emailed as an attachment to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office at hsinternships@brooklynda.org, with the subject line: Recommendation Letter (Applicant’s First and Last Name). All application materials must be received no later than Monday, November 12, 2018. For questions or assistance, please contact the High School Internship and Youth Initiatives Program Coordinator at (718) 250-4873.
To learn more about the program visit: http://www.brooklynda.org/
Golden Lauds MTA Introduction of “Group Station Managers”
State Sen. Martin J. Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend, parts of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park, Midwood) yesterday lauded MTA President Andy Byford’s recent announcement that the agency is establishing “Group Station Managers” within the MTA NYC Transit system.
“I have am in regular conversation with Transit President Andy Byford regarding his efforts to improve New York City’s transit system and customer relations. This announcement is a major step towards improving the daily commute of all straphangers and at the same time, enhancing the overall conditions of our stations,” said Golden.
Golden noted the group station managers are to be dedicated solely to customer service and each manager will be responsible for up to 25 stations. Group station managers will be spending much of their time personally inspecting stations, ensuring that they are clean and safe, and the stations are being held to the highest possible standards, he said.
Golden said most importantly, these managers will be coordinating and following through with those who are responsible for cleaning, painting, electrical work, customer service, MetroCard vending machine maintenance, and elevator and escalator service.
Golden is a member of the MTA Capital Review Board.
Adams, Maisel, AM Williams Unveil Street Co-Naming For Army Sgt. Roshain E. Brooks
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, City Council Member Alan Maisel (D-Canarsie) and Assemblywoman Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie) today will unveil a street co-naming in honor of the late United States Army Sergeant Roshain Euvince Brooks.
Brooks, a 30-year-old resident of Canarsie and paratrooper assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division was killed in the line of duty last August while serving in Iraq. Sergeant Brooks was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge.
Adams and Maisel joined in asking the City Council to grant this tribute, and on July 29 the bill that stipulated the street co-naming was enacted on law.
The street co-naming is slated for 11 a.m., today, Oct. 12 on the corner of Avenue L and East 85th Street in Canarsie.
Maimonides Breast Cancer Center Holds 12th Annual Ride2Live to Benefit
The Maimonides Breast Cancer Center, in partnership with Bikers of Brooklyn, is hosting a motorcycle ride benefit, led by Dr. Patrick Borgen, Chair of the Department of Surgery and Director of the Maimonides Breast Cancer Center on Sunday.
Dr. Borgen, a proud owner and motorcycle rider himself, will lead the tour through the streets of Brooklyn, raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research at the Maimonides Breast Cancer Center. A catered breakfast will be provided during registration.
Registration for the Ride2Live begins at 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 14 at the Gilbert Rivera Pavilion, 745 64th St., between Seventh & Eighth Aves. The Ride will commence at 12 noon, take a scenic tour through Brooklyn and end at MCU Park, 1904 Surf Ave., where there will be a lively after-party featuring live music, raffles, barbecue favorites and the “CARS AGAINST CANCER” exotic car show.
