Whether you are facing deportation or seeking more permanent resident status, it is important to remember that even non-citizens have many rights and privileges in this country. Immigrants facing deportation, for example, have the right to an attorney. Language access is a civil right, meaning that the government must provide legal documents in a readable and comprehensible manner. One way to ensure that your rights are protected is by hiring an experienced New York immigration lawyer.
The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, is here to help. We have helped many clients fight deportation or find a clear path toward gaining a green card. Whatever your needs, our team of deportation defense attorneys in New York City can develop a strategy to fight for your interests.
Immigration Rights in New York City
New York City is a diverse and large urban community that represents many ethnicities. Over the years, city leaders have drafted and adopted local rules that protect immigrant New Yorkers.
Housing providers, employers, and coworkers are banned from using offensive, racist language to humiliate or degrade immigrants. New York City residents of any immigration status are entitled to fair wages. No employer can pay an employee lower wages simply because of the worker’s immigration status. Immigrant workers are also protected from threats to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Housing discrimination is illegal in New York City. Landlords cannot refuse to sell, lease, or rent a home to someone simply because of the potential tenant’s national origins or asylum status. Renters have the right to live free of harassment from landlords based on the renter’s immigration status. Many workplace protections extend to housing protections. Immigrants have the right to live in a safe housing unit.
Immigration Rights in the State of New York
New York is one of the more welcoming and accommodating states for providing protections to any New Yorker, regardless of their immigration status. State laws and guidelines for law enforcement are designed to allow residents to participate in their communities without fear of intimidation or unlawful arrest.
One example is the New York for All Act, which prohibits local and state law enforcement agencies from working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). The act prohibits ICE and CBP agents from entering private residences and workplaces without a judicial warrant. Local and state peace officers are banned from sharing sensitive information with federal agents.
Do I Need a New York Immigration Attorney?
Simply knowing your rights is not always enough. If your rights were recently violated, hiring an attorney can allow you to claim damages in many cases. If you are facing eviction solely due to your immigration status, your landlord may be violating multiple laws. A New York immigration attorney understands the complex patchwork of local, state, and federal laws that govern immigrant rights.
No one should live in fear of harassment or intimidation purely due to their race and residency status. Having an attorney representing your interests can lead to outcomes that allow you to live and work in peace. If you suffered financial or emotional distress due to your rights being violated, we can fight to recoup those damages.
Our law firm also provides legal guidance for anyone seeking permanent residency status, whether that is in the form of a green card or U.S. citizenship. Our lawyers have many years of experience providing deportation and removal defense, asylum assistance, and legal help with drafting family-based petitions, among other immigration-based actions.
FAQs
Q: What Are the Immigration Laws in New York?
A: Any immigrant living in New York has to abide by a complex patchwork of federal, state, and local immigration laws. Immigration is handled at the federal level. State and city laws generally provide protections for immigrants, such as the right for New York City residents to live and work free from harassment based on the worker or tenant’s immigration status. Fundamental constitutional and civil rights extend to any resident in this state, regardless of their immigration status.
Q: What Is the 7-Year Rule for Immigrants in the U.S.?
A: Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar introduced the Dignity Act in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023. If enacted, the bill would allow immigrants who have continuously lived in the United States for at least seven years to apply for a green card. Certain requirements would have to be met, but the bill could provide a pathway to citizenship for many current residents in the United States. Current immigration law allows for the issuance of around 140,000 work-based green cards per year.
Q: What Is the New York for All Act of 2023?
A: State leaders recently passed the New York for All Act to protect local residents from fear of ICE and CBP raids in homes and workplaces. Any attempt to enter a private business now requires a judicial warrant. This adds protections for immigrants across the state. The act also prohibits local law enforcement from collaborating with federal authorities on immigration-related issues.
Q: Does New York Support Immigrants?
A: Broadly speaking, yes. New York City and state laws are generally favorable to residents of all immigration statuses. While some states pass laws to disenfranchise immigrants and undocumented workers, New York has enacted protections for residents of all immigration statuses. Even in an immigrant-friendly state, anyone seeking long-term residency status in this country could benefit greatly from the legal services of a New York immigration law firm.
Schedule Your New York Immigration Lawyer Consultation
No matter your immigration status, the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, can fight for your rights and interests. Immigrants have the right to an attorney and due process. If you are being treated unfairly or are seeking legal help to ensure that you can remain and work in New York, our lawyers can formulate a strategy to work toward those goals. We provide comprehensive legal counsel in the areas of asylum, family-based petitions, deportation defense, and more. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.
