NY immigrant rights advocates condemn the failure to pass deportation legislation

A coalition of immigration advocates has condemned New York State legislators for their failure to pass legislation that would prohibit local law enforcement and state agencies from collaborating with United States immigration enforcement agencies in the deportation of Caribbean and other immigrants

The coalition, which includes the New York For All Campaign, the Bronx Defenders, as well as the New York Civil Liberties Union, has expressed its disappointment that the New York State Legislative session is ending without leaders bringing the New York For All legislation to the Senate or Assembly

In a statement, the coalition said, “This legislation would have protected immigrant communities and all New Yorkers by prohibiting local law enforcement and state agencies from conspiring with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol ”

They emphasized that ending this collusion would have allowed immigrant New Yorkers to go about their daily lives without the fear that a simple traffic stop or calling 911 in an emergency could lead to being forcibly separated from their families

“This builds trust between the government and the communities it serves and allows our local economies to flourish by letting people feel safe to participate in daily life,” they added

The New York For All Act had garnered support with 62 co-sponsors in the New York State Assembly and 32 co-sponsors in the New York State Senate

“Once again, Albany [the capital of New York State] has chosen political convenience over protecting New York families by failing to move forward with the New York For All Act

The bill had strong support in both houses and had widespread backing from labour and local elected officials across New York State,” the coalition expressed

They further noted, “The lack of political courage and moral leadership in Albany and the failure to take a bold stand in the face of rising xenophobia means that New York’s immigrant communities will continue to live with the threat that any encounter with government agencies can result in separation from their families ”

Experts say draft NY law is to ensure fair debt relief for Caribbean countries

Two experts appointed by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council say that a draft New York State law is a “golden opportunity” to ensure fair debt relief for Caribbean and other developing countries

The experts said that the proposed legislation could provide “effective and fair relief” for developing countries crippled by debt

Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier de Schutter,and Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights, have welcomed the proposed New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Prevention Act, which is currently under discussion

They urged lawmakers to adopt the bill, which compels private credito participate in international debt relief efforts on similar terms as public lenders

The UN said New York State is home to New York City, the financial capital of the world and the experts said at least 60 percent of developing countries debt is held by private creditors, and that New York law governs 52 percent of this global debt

“If taxpayers contribute to public debt relief, private creditors should be obliged to participate on the same terms Debt relief must be effective and fair for all, and its costs must be shared by private creditors as well ”

The experts said proposed legislation means distressed low and middle income citizens instead of paying “unsustainable” debt loads

In 2021, they said these nations spent an average of 27 5 per cent of their budgets on interest and debt payments, or more than the amount spent on education, health and social protection combined

“This bill is a golden opportunity that will allow countries in debt distress to shift their budgetary priorities and, by providing for better living conditions, reduce the risks for investors in these countries and create better opportunities,” the experts said

They stressed that the coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic, the energy crisis, rising countries, with a particular impact on developing nations

“Many poor people can barely afford food and minimum dietary needs for health It is precisely in times of crisis that States must be able to ensure social protection and food security for all people in their country,” they said

They underscored that “ everyone has an interest in countries being able to invest in social protection, healthcare, housing, education and food security, instead of devoting more and more of their limited budgets to debt repayments ”