January 31, 2025 • 26 mins
Hunger Advocates and lawmakers are excited for the inclusion of $340 million in funding for universal school meals as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's executive budget proposal. We sit down with Murad Awawdeh of the New York Immigration Coalition to unpack the legal challenges to the recent federal executive orders on immigration and the role of New York State - amid news of ICE raids and arrests this week.
EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
[ THEME MUSIC ]
(00:19):
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL'S
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL
PROVIDED FUNDING FOR UNIVERSAL
SCHOOL MEALS.
ACCORDING TO THE EXECUTIVE
CHAMBER, THE FUNDING WILL HELP
PROVIDE FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
FOR OVER 2.7 MILLION STUDENTS IN
(00:39):
DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE.
NOW THIS IS A POPULAR POLICY
MEASURE BACKED BY BOTH
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IN THE
LEGISLATURE.
THE FUNDING, WHICH IS $340
MILLION IN THE PROPOSAL, HAS
HUNGER ADVOCATES AND LAWMAKERS
EXCITED HEADING INTO BUDGET
NEGOTIATIONS.
FOR MORE ON LAWMAKERS' PLANS TO
(01:01):
SAFEGUARD THE FUNDING IN THIS
YEAR'S FINAL ENACTED BUDGET,
HERE'S OUR ELISE KLINE.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR'S
FISCAL YEAR 2026 EXECUTIVE BUDGET
ADDRESS LAST WEEK, ADVOCATES AND
LAWMAKERS GATHERED WITH CHEER ON
THE NEW YORK STATE CAPITOL STEPS
TO CELEBRATE A PROPOSAL TO MAKE
SCHOOL MEALS FREE FOR STUDENTS
(01:21):
ACROSS THE STATE.
THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSES
$340 MILLION LUNCH AND BREAKFAST
FREE IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS
THE STATE.
FOR MANY ADVOCATES THIS IS A
WIN-AFTER MANY YEARS OF PUSHING
FOR UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS.
ANDRES VIVES, CEO OF HUNGER
SOLUTIONS NEW YORK, SAYS THE
FUNDING WILL GREATLY IMPACT THE
2.7 MILLION STUDENTS ACROSS THE
ENTIRE STATE.
(01:42):
>> YOU CAN'T TEACH A HUNGRY
CHILD AND YOU KNOW HAVING MEALS
PROVIDED IN SCHOOL-A FREE
BREAKFAST, A FREE LUNCH GETS US
SO MUCH FURTHER.
OUR CHILDREN GET TO GO TO SCHOOL
WITHOUT STIGMA, THEY GET TO
RECEIVE A MEAL.
THEY GO THROUGH THE SCHOOL DAY
WITH FUEL FOR THEIR MINDS.
>> VIVES ADDS THIS PROPOSAL WILL
ALSO SUPPORT SCHOOL
(02:02):
ADMINISTRATORS TO DO WHAT THEY
LOVE:
>> FEED KIDS AND NOT BE DEALING
WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN
OF DEALING WITH ALL OF THE
PAPERWORK THAT GOES ALONG WITH
SCHOOL MEAL DEBT AND SCHOOL
ACCOUNTS AND CALLING FAMILIES TO
TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET
PAID, YOU KNOW, SO IT IS REALLY
GOOD FOR THE STATE.
GOOD FOR THE STATE.
(02:23):
IT SAVES FAMILIES ABOUT $2,000
PER CHILD PER YEAR.
>> IN NEW YORK CITY, SCHOOL
MEALS HAVE BEEN FREE SINCE 2017.
SOME STUDENTS SAY THEY HAVE SEEN
THE POSITIVE DIFFERENCE THIS
INITIATIVE HAS HAD ON STUDENTS
OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.
17-YEAR-OLD FAITH JONES, A HIGH
SCHOOL SENIOR AT BROOKLYN
TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL AND A
YOUTH FELLOW WITH COMMUNITY FOOD
ADVOCATES OF NYC, SAYS SHE HAS
WATCHED FRIENDS OF HERS STRUGGLE
(02:45):
WITH AFFORDING LUNCH AND GOING
HUNGRY-BUT WHEN SCHOOL MEALS
BECAME UNIVERSAL DOWNSTATE SHE
SAYS THE CAFETERIA CULTURE
DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED.
>> YOU SEE THE STUDENTS GO INTO
LINE-ESPECIALLY BROOKLYN TECH WE
HAVE 6,000 STUDENTS, I THINK
WE'RE THE LARGEST HIGH SCHOOL IN
THE COUNTRY-- wE ALL GO INTO THE
LINE, WE ALL GRAB OUR LUNCH.
AND I THINK ONE THING THAT IS SO
(03:05):
NOTABLE IS NOBODY IS COMPLAINING
ABOUT BEING HUNGRY WHEN THEY'RE
IN THE CAFETERIA.
NOBODY IS SAYING THEY CAN'T GET
LUNCH BECAUSE EVERYONE IS ABLE
TO ACCESS TO THAT LUNCH.
>> JONES ADDS FREE SCHOOL MEALS
HELP STUDENTS ENJOY LUNCH RATHER
THAN STRESS ABOUT IT.
SOT [JONES] "I REALLY DO SEE THE
IMPROVEMENTS FOR EVERY STUDENT
THEY GET TO MORE SO ENJOY THEIR
SCHOOL EXPERIENCE AND I HOPE
THAT FOR ALL NEW YORK STATE
STUDENTS," [ELISE] THERE ARE FEW
ISSUES THE UNITE BOTH DEMOCRATS
(03:27):
AND REPUBLICANS AT THE STATE
CAPITOL.
BUT, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS
HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE
LEGISLATURE FOR YEARS.
HOWEVER, NOW THAT THE GOVERNOR
PUT IT IN HER STATE OF THE STATE
AND HER BUDGET PROPOSALS-THE
PATH FORWARD IS MUCH CLEARER.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER MATT SLATER, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
PUTNAM AND WESTCHESTER COUNTIES,
HAS ADVOCATED FOR UNIVERSAL
SCHOOL MEALS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
HE SAYS AS A DAD HE UNDERSTANDS
(03:48):
HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR KIDS TO
BE SET UP FOR SUCCESS.
WHILE THE INITIATIVE HAS BEEN
FUNDED PARTIALLY IN THE LAST TWO
BUDGETS, IT HAS NEVER BEEN FULLY
FUNDED.
NOW THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT
FUNDING ALLOCATION FOR THIS
ISSUE ASIDE RIGHT OFF THE BAT,
LAWMAKERS FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT
THE BUDGET PROCESS MOVING
FORWARD.
SLATER SAYS THIS STATE FUNDING
IS IMPERATIVE, ESPECIALLY FOR
FAMILIES WHO MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR
(04:09):
STATE OR FEDERAL SCHOOL MEAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
>> THAT NUMBER THAT THE GOVERNOR
PROPOSED GETS US TO EVERY
STUDENT IN EVERY SCHOOL.
IN MY DISTRICT, WE ARE SHORT
TWELVE SCHOOLS-EIGHT THOUSAND
KIDS THAT CURRENTLY DON'T
QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM AND THE
ALLOCATION FROM THE GOVERNOR
DOES GET US ACROSS THE FINISH
LINE THERE.
SO I THINK RIGHT NOW OUR FOCUS
IS TO GET THE BALL INTO THE END
(04:29):
ZONE.
>> THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL
REQUIRES ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS,
CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND NON-PUBLIC
SCHOOLS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH AND
BREAKFAST PROGRAM TO PROVIDE
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH TO
STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR
FAMILIES INCOME.
THE STATE IS ESSENTIALLY PAYING
THE STUDENTS' SHARE OF COSTS FOR
ALL MEALS SERVED TO STUDENTS NOT
RECEIVING FREE MEALS.
ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET DIRECTOR, BLAKE
(04:50):
WASHINGTON, THE STATE CAN AFFORD
INITIATIVES LIKE THIS ONE
BECAUSE THE STATE'S FISCAL
HEALTH IS SOUND.
WASHINGTON HIGHLIGHTED $21.1
BILLION IN STATE RESERVES AND A
$5.3 BILLION SURPLUS FROM INCOME
TAXES.
THE PROPOSAL WILL ALSO CONTINUE
TO SHARE COSTS WITH A STATE
SUBSIDY PROGRAM CALLED THE
COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY
PROVISION-WHICH ALLOWS
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS, BASED ON
(05:11):
A FEDERALLY DETERMINED THRESHOLD
NEED OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TO
SERVE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AT NO
COST TO ALL ENROLLED STUDENTS.
THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF
TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY
ASSISTANCE COMMISSIONER BARBARA
GUINN SAYS THE STATE HELPING TO
SHARE COSTS MAKES SURE THE
SCHOOL DISTRICTS' BUDGETS ARE
COVERED.
>> SCHOOLS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
THE COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY
PROVISION RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT
(05:33):
BUT NOT NECESSARILY FULL
REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE MEALS THAT
ARE PROVIDED AT SCHOOL AND THEN,
OF COURSE, SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS
ARE NOT ELIGIBLE
FOR THE FEDERAL COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY
PROVISIONS SO IN BOTH INSTANCES
THE STATE IS STEPPING IN.
>> GUINN ADDS THIS PROGRAM MEANS
STUDENTS ARE WELL-FED AND READY
TO LEARN.
(05:53):
>>FROM A FAMILY STANDPOINT, IT
OBVIOUSLY HELPS REDUCE COSTS
THAT THEY WOULD OTHERWISE NEED
TO SPEND ON PROVIDING BREAKFAST
AND LUNCH AND ALSO PROBABLY
HOPEFULLY SAVES A LITTLE BIT OF
TIME IN THEIR DAY TO NOT HAVE TO
PREPARE THOSE MEALS.
SO, IT'S GOOD FOR FAMILIES FROM
AN AFFORDABILITY STANDPOINT, AND
MOST IMPORTANTLY IT'S GOOD FOR
(06:13):
THE CHILDREN SO AGAIN THEY'RE
READY TO LEARN-WHEN CHILDREN ARE
READY TO LEARN OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE
GOING TO DO BETTER IN SCHOOL AND
HAVE BETTER PROSPECTS FOR THEIR
FUTURE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
>> THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET
PROPOSAL MEANS STUDENTS WHO
DON'T ALREADY HAVE ACCESS TO
FREE SCHOOL MEALS THROUGH THE
CEP OR THE NATIONAL LUNCH AND
BREAKFAST PROGRAM WILL BE FED.
(06:33):
>> THIS YEAR WILL ADD ON THE
BALANCE OF THE SCHOOLS BRINGING
IN ABOUT ALMOST AN ADDITIONAL
300,000 STUDENTS WHO WILL BE ELIGIBLE
THEN TO RECEIVE FREE MEALS.
AGAIN MAKING IT UNIVERSAL,
THERE'S NO QUESTION REDUCES THE
STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH CHILDREN
WHO MAY OTHERWISE BE RECEIVING
(06:54):
MEALS IN A LIMITED CAPACITY
WITHIN THE SCHOOL.
>> ASSEMBLY MEMBER JESSICA
GONZALEZ-ROJAS, A DEMOCRAT
REPRESENTING QUEENS ECHOED THE
COMMISSIONERS POINTS SAYING THIS
FUNDING WILL HELP CLOSE THE GAPS
AND FINANCIAL BARRIERS IN PARTS
OF THE STATE LIKE LONG ISLAND,
HUDSON VALLEY AND WESTERN NEW
YORK.
>> WHAT HAPPENS IS EVEN IN
DISTRICTS OR COMMUNITIES THAT
ARE DEEMED 'WEALTHY' THERE ARE
WORKING-CLASS FAMILY MEMBERS,
(07:16):
THERE ARE IMMIGRANT FAMILY
MEMBERS, THERE ARE CHILDREN WHO
FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, WHILE THEIR
PARENTS MAY BE ABLE TO FILL OUT
ADDITIONAL FORMS, BURDENSOME
FORMS.
OFTEN LANGUAGE BARRIER IS AN
ISSUE.
>> LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF
THE AISLE HIGHLIGHT MANY
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL MEAL
TICKETS ALSO FACE STIGMA.
AT A RECENT PRESS CONFERENCE,
STATE SENATOR DEAN MURRAY, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
(07:37):
SUFFOLK COUNTY, SAYS WHEN HE WAS
A STUDENT WITH A FREE SCHOOL
MEAL PASS HE WAS OFTEN TEASED.
>> I WOULD GET MY RED TICKETS
THAT I WOULD TAKE IN AND IN THE
MORNING I WOULD SHOW MY TICKET
TO GET MY BREAKFAST AND MY LUNCH
AND THEN THE KIDS STARTED
NOTICING THAT WAS DIFFERENT FROM
THEM.
THEN THEY FOUND OUT WHY BECAUSE
I WAS THE POOR KID.
(07:59):
'WHY ARE WE PAYING FOR YOU?'
THIS, THAT, THE OTHER.
THE TEASING GOT SO BAD AND THE
BULLYING-- STOPPED EATING.
I JUST THREW THE TICKETS AWAY.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE KIDS
THAT ARE DOING THAT NOW.
>> MURRAY SAYS BY MAKING SCHOOL
MEALS UNIVERSAL EVERY STUDENT
WILL BE ON EQUAL FOOTING.
>> EVERYONE GETS IT.
(08:22):
NO ONE TO BE BULLIED AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY EVERY CHILD GETS FED
AND THAT'S OUR GOAL.
WITH THAT, I HOPE EVERYONE WILL
UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE PUSHING SO
HARD TO GET THIS DONE.
>> SOME LAWMAKERS SAY THE MAIN
PUSHBACK AGAINST FULLY FUNDING
THIS INITIATIVE IN PREVIOUS
STATE BUDGETS IS THE COST.
(08:42):
SOME LAWMAKERS TOLD WMHT
CONCERNS HAVE COME UP AS PART OF
THE LARGER SPENDING CONVERSATION
OF THE STATE BUDGET BUT THERE
DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ANY DIRECT
OPPOSITION TO THIS MEASURE.
MOVING FORWARD LAWMAKERS WILL
HAVE TO SAFEGUARD THE 340
MILLION DOLLAR PROPOSAL FROM
POTENTIAL CUTS-WHICH CAN HAPPEN
DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS AS
PRIORITIES ARE WEIGHED.
>> THE PUSHBACK ALWAYS IS THE
(09:03):
COST, BUT I THINK WE'VE REALLY
MADE A STRONG EFFORT AND HAVE
REALLY DEMONSTRATED THE FACT
THAT THIS INVESTMENT-YES THERE'S
A COST ASSOCIATED TO IT BUT THIS
INVESTMENT WE'RE MAKING IS IN
OUR KIDS.
IF WE'RE NOT FEEDING HUNGRY
CHILDREN THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT
WE'RE DOING UP HERE.
AND SO WE'VE REALLY DONE A GREAT
JOB BRINGING REPUBLICANS AND
DEMOCRATS TOGETHER ON AN
IMPORTANT ISSUE LIKE THIS.
(09:23):
>> ASSEMBLY MEMBER ED RA, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING NASSAU
COUNTY AND A RANKING MEMBER OF
THE ASSEMBLY WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE, SAYS THE BUDGET
PROCESS MOVING FORWARD-PUBLIC
HEARINGS, NEGOTIATIONS AND
VOTING ON BUDGET BILLS-SHOULD
MOVE SMOOTHLY FOR THIS PROPOSAL.
>> THE COST-YES THAT'S A LOT OF
MONEY BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT
IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SCHOOL AID
NUMBER IT'S REALLY A TINY
(09:47):
FRACTION.
SO, I THINK EVERYBODY IS ON THE
SAME PAGE AND IT SHOULD BE
SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY IS ON
BOARD WITH.
>> ASSEMBLY MEMBER STEVE OTIS, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, ECHOED RA'S
MESSAGE-EMPHASIZING THE SUPPORT
FOR THIS MEASURE.
>> NEGOTIATION IS A KEY PART OF
THE BUDGET PROCESS-EVERYTHING IS
(10:07):
CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING ELSE BUT
I'M FAIRLY OPTIMISTIC-THE STRONG
SUPPORT FOR THIS AND JUST
KNOWING HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS
FOR THE EDUCATION PROCESS AND
FOR THE HEALTH OF KIDS.
>> OTHER DEMOCRATS IN THE
ASSEMBLY, THE FACT THAT THE
GOVERNOR PUT THIS MEASURE IN HER
BUDGET PROPOSAL MEANS THE
MEASURE WILL VERY LIKELY HAVE
THE SUPPORT IT NEEDS TO BECOME
OFFICIAL.
>> NOW THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT
IT IN THE BUDGET, WE FEEL VERY
(10:27):
CONFIDENT IT'S GOING TO MOVE
FORWARD.
IT'S BEEN IN THE ONE-HOUSE
BUDGETS IN THE ASSEMBLY, IT'S
BEEN IN THE ONE-HOUSE BUDGETS IN
THE SENATE SO I FEEL VERY
CONFIDENT THAT IT'S GOING TO
MOVE FORWARD AND WE'LL BE ABLE
TO CELEBRATE ONCE THE INK IS DRY
ON THE BUDGET.
>> GONZALEZ-ROJAS ADDS THIS
BUDGET MEASURE THIS YEAR COULD
SOLIDIFY IT TO BECOME A
PERMANENT PART OF THE STATE
BUDGET IN YEARS TO COME-EVEN
(10:47):
WITH A POTENTIAL CHANGE IN
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP NEXT YEAR.
>> I REALLY ANTICIPATE THIS
SOLIDIFYING THIS MEASURE IN
YEARS TO COME.
I DON'T SEE HOW A GOVERNOR ROBS
FOOD OFF THE TABLE OF CHILDREN
IN SCHOOLS.
SO, THIS IS SOMETHING, AGAIN,
THAT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND
WE REALLY ANTICIPATE IT BEING A
(11:08):
REALLY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM AND
ONE WE'LL IMMEDIATELY SEE THE
BENEFITS OF.
>> SOME POLITICAL EXPERTS SAY
GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S INITIATIVE
THIS YEAR IS ALL PART OF THE
GOVERNOR'S AFFORDABILITY FOCUS
FOR THIS YEAR.
>> SHAWN DONAHUE, A POLITICAL
PROFESSOR AT SUNY-BUFFALO, SAYS
THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL
IS RIGHT IN LINE WITH HER
AFFORDABILITY AGENDA FOR THIS
YEAR.
>> DONAHUE ALSO SAYS THIS
MEASURE SEEMS TO HAVE GAINED
(11:28):
MOMENTUM NATIONALLY OVER THE
PAST YEAR.
>> IT SEEMED LIKE IT GOT A BIG
BOOST LAST YEAR WHENEVER TIM
WALZ BECAME THE DEMOCRATIC
NOMINEE FOR VICE PRESIDENT
BECAUSE MINNESOTA HAD PUT THIS
IN PLACE.
SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE
SEEN SOME OF BLUE STATES, SO
STATES WHERE THE DEMOCRATS ARE
IN CONTROL OF THE LEGISLATURE
(11:49):
AND THE GOVERNORSHIP HAVE PUSHED
THROUGH.
>> IF THIS MEASURE IS ADOPTED IN
THE FINAL STATE BUDGET, NEW YORK
WILL BECOME THE NINTH STATE IN
THE COUNTRY TO MAKE SCHOOL MEALS
UNIVERSALLY FREE.
>> THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL IS
ONLY ONE STEP IN THIS PROCESS TO
OFFICIALLY MAKING MEALS
UNIVERSALLY FREE IN SCHOOLS.
THE NEXT STEP AT THIS POINT IS
BUDGET HEARINGS WHERE LAWMAKERS
CAN QUESTION EXPERTS, LEADERS,
AND ADVOCATES ON ISSUES LIKE
(12:10):
THIS ONE.
BUDGET HEARINGS STARTED THIS
WEEK AND ARE SET TO CONTINUE
UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY.
ELISE KLINE, NEW YORK NOW.
[ MUSIC ]
>> AND FOR MORE ON THE FUNDING
FOR UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS, YOU
CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER TOPIC.
(12:31):
AS WE DISCUSSED LAST WEEK ON THE
SHOW, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS
SIGNED A SLEW OF EXECUTIVE
ORDERS AIMED AT IMMIGRATION
POLICY.
NOW THIS WEEK, THERE WERE
SEVERAL REPORTS OF ICE RAIDS AND
ARRESTS IN MAJOR CITIES ACROSS
THE COUNTRY INCLUDING NEW YORK
CITY.
TO UNPACK THE IMPACT OF THE
EXECUTIVE ORDERS, THE LEGAL
(12:52):
CHALLENGES AHEAD AND THE STATE'S
ROLE IN PROTECTING IMMIGRANTS,
WE SAT DOWN WITH MURAD AWAWDEH,
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE NEW
YORK IMMIGRATION COALITION.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE
TIME TO SPEAK WITH US, MURAD.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> OF COURSE.
NOW UNDER A RECENT EXECUTIVE
(13:13):
ORDER, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
HAS MOVED TO END BIRTH RITE
CITIZENSHIP.
I WANTED TO GET YOUR REACTION TO
THIS MEASURE AS SOMEONE WHO
UNDERSTANDS THE STRUGGLES OF
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES IN NEW
YORK.
>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW, PRESIDENT
TRUMP WAS JUST ELECTED RECENTLY
BUT INAUGURATED ON MONDAY AND
(13:34):
IMMEDIATELY PASSED A SLEW--
SIGNED A SLEW OF EXECUTIVE
ORDERS AND ACTIONS THAT WERE
STRAIGHT-UP ANTI-IMMIGRANT.
NONE OF THEM WERE TO ACTUALLY
MAKE AMERICA SAFER.
IN THIS MOMENT WHAT WE'RE SEEING
IS EVEN WITH THE BIRTH RITE
CITIZENSHIP EXECUTIVE ACTION, A
JUDGE, LESS THAN 24 HOURS AGO,
(13:57):
PUT A NATIONWIDE INJUNCTION ON
IT SAYING THAT IT IS
UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
SO A LOT OF THESE ACTIONS, WE
BELIEVE, ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL,
AND WE'RE WAITING TO SEE HOW
THEY COME-- HOW THE COURT SYSTEM
PROCESSES THEM IN THIS MOMENT.
>> YEAH. AS YOU MENTIONED, THE
FEDERAL JUDGE TEMPORARILY
BLOCKED THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER.
SO ARE THERE ANY PLANS FOR THE
(14:18):
NEW YORK IMMIGRATION COALITION
TO BE INVOLVED WITH OR ASSIST IN
ANY LEGAL CHALLENGES TO THIS
MEASURE?
>> YEAH. SO WE'RE ASSESSING THE
EXECUTIVE ORDERS CURRENTLY AND,
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ALREADY FILED
WITH OUR NATIONAL PARTNERS AND
NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER,
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS
(14:39):
ON THE RECENSION OF THE
SENSITIVE LOCATIONS DIRECTIVE TO
UNDERSTAND WHAT DECISION-MAKING
THOUGHTS WENT INTO THAT SO WE
HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
IN THIS MOMENT, AND WE ARE
ASSESSING WHICH OTHER EXECUTIVE
ACTIONS WE ARE GOING TO TAKE
(15:01):
ACTION ON.
ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE WORK AT THE
LOCAL LEVEL HERE ACROSS STATE AS
WELL AT THE STATE LEVEL TO
ACTUALLY PROTECT AND DEFEND OUR
COMMUNITIES, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE
FIGHTING FOR THE NEW YORK FOR
ALL ACT, WHICH WOULD SAY THAT
THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL NOT
INVEST ANY RESOURCES TO COLLUDE
WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND
(15:23):
COLLUDE WITH FAMILY SEPARATION
AND HARMING OUR COMMUNITIES AND
OUR LOCAL ECONOMIES.
AS WELL AS FIGHTING FOR
ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION LEGAL
SERVICES FUND.
WE HAVE $165 MILLION TO MAKE
SURE PEOPLE AREN'T GOING UP
AGAINST A GOVERNMENT-TRAINED
PROSECUTOR AND JUDGE WHOSE SOLE
JOB IS TO REMOVE THEM FROM THIS
COUNTRY.
>> IN ADDITION TO THAT EXECUTIVE
ORDER, THE PRESIDENT ALSO SIGNED
(15:44):
AN ORDER STRIPPING CHURCHES AND
SCHOOLS OF IMMIGRATION
ENFORCEMENT PROTECTION.
SO CAN YOU HELP US PUT THAT INTO
CONTEXT?
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE
IMPLICATIONS OF A MEASURE LIKE
THIS WILL BE, AND WE'LL GET
INTO, OF COURSE, YOUR STATE
EFFORTS AFTER.
>> THE RECENSION OF THE
SENSITIVE LOCATIONS MEMO IS JUST
HEARTLESS.
IT IS TRYING TO INFLICT EVEN
(16:06):
MORE FEAR AND CHAOS IN
COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF
NEW YORK AND THIS COUNTRY.
WHENEVER EVERYONE THINKS OF SAFE
HAVEN OR A PLACE WHERE YOU WILL
BE SAFE IS A HOSPITAL OR YOUR
SCHOOL OR YOUR PLACE OF FAITH,
AND THAT MEMO PRETTY MUCH SAID
(16:26):
THAT ICE WILL NOT OPERATE IN
THOSE SPACES, BUT THIS
ADMINISTRATION IS, AGAIN, NOT
LEANING INTO THE SAFETY AND
SECURITY OF OUR COUNTRY.
THEY'RE LEANING INTO CRUELTY AND
THAT'S THE POINT OF THIS IS WHEN
THEY RESCINDED THAT, THEY'RE
SAYING WE'RE GOING AFTER
EVERYONE EVERYWHERE REGARDLESS
OF, YOU KNOW, YOUR SENSIBILITIES
OR WHERE YOU THINK YOU MAY BE
(16:48):
SAFE.
WE'RE COMING FOR YOU EVERYWHERE
AND THAT'S JUST GUTLESS AND
HEARTLESS IN THIS MOMENT.
>> FROM YOUR PURVIEW, WHAT ROLE
SHOULD WORK AND THE LEGISLATURE
SHOULD PLAY IN SORT OF COMBATING
THESE EFFORTS AND PROTECTING THE
RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF
IMMIGRANTS WHILE THIS IS A
FEDERAL, YOU KNOW, MEASURE?
>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW, NEW YORK
HAS BEEN KNOWN TO LEAD IN THE
(17:08):
NATION AND WE'RE LOOKING TO NEW
YORK TO LEAD AGAIN.
WE NEED THE STATE LEGISLATURE
AND THE GOVERNOR TO LEAD IN THIS
MOMENT IN HELPING US PASS NEW
YORK FOR ALL ACT, WHICH WOULD
STOP THE STATE FROM USING ANY OF
ITS RESOURCES TO COLLUDE WITH
FAMILY SEPARATION, HARMING OUR
COMMUNITIES AND GUTTING OUR
LOCAL ECONOMIES.
NEW YORK FOR ALL ACT WILL ENSURE
(17:30):
THAT NEW YORKERS FEEL SAFE IN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THAT
THEIR STATE IS NOT HARMING THEM.
ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE FIGHTING FOR
INCREASED RESOURCES FOR LEGAL
SERVICES OF $165 MILLION TO
ENSURE THAT PEOPLE IN
DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS GET THE
HELP THEY NEED.
THEY'RE GOING UP AGAINST
GOVERNMENT-TRAINED JUDGES AND
PROSECUTORS WHOSE SOLE JOB IS TO
(17:51):
REMOVE THEM FROM THIS COUNTRY.
WHAT WE DO KNOW IS OUR
COMMUNITY'S CONTRIBUTIONS ARE
HUGE HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW
YORK, CONTRIBUTING OVER $68
BILLION IN COMBINED TAXES TO THE
STATE, HAVING THE SPENDING POWER
OF $150 TO $200 BILLION.
THAT'S ARE NOT LITTLE NUMBERS.
THOSE ARE MINUSCULE IMPACTS THAT
(18:12):
WE'RE NOT GOING TO FEEL.
EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE IN NEW YORK
IS TOUCHED BY AN IMMIGRANT, ONE
WAY OR THE OTHER.
FROM OUR FOOD BEING PLANTED,
PICKED, STOCKED IN STORES AND
SOLD IN IMMIGRANT SMALL
BUSINESSES.
THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT
CONTINUE TO NOURISH NOT JUST US
(18:34):
INDIVIDUALLY BUT OUR STATE, TO
OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHO ARE
IMMIGRANTS.
THESE ARE ATTACHED TO EVERY
SINGLE ASPECT OF LIFE HERE IN
NEW YORK AND WE NEED THE STATE
OF NEW YORK TO FIGHT BACK
AGAINST THIS MASS DEPORTATION
PLAN.
>> AND FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE,
IF THESE MEASURES GO UNCHECKED
(18:55):
WHAT WOULD BE THE LONG-TERM
IMPLICATIONS FOR IMMIGRANTS
AROUND THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN
NEW YORK?
>> THE EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ARE THE
PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ACTIONS
ARE BEING CHECKED AND THEY ARE
BEING LITIGATED IN THIS MOMENT.
SO WE'LL SEE HOW THE COURT
PROCESS PROCEEDS.
WE'RE ALREADY SEEING GOOD
INDICATIONS THAT AS WE THOUGHT,
(19:18):
SOME OF THESE ACTIONS ARE
UNCONSTITUTIONAL, BUT WHAT WE DO
NEED IS LEADERS TO STAND UP AND
TO FIGHT BACK.
WE NEED OUR POLITICAL LEADERS TO
STAND UP AND FIGHT BACK.
IF NOT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE REAL
SERIOUS PROBLEMS ON OUR HANDS.
IN A STATE LIKE NEW YORK WHERE
ONE-FOURTH OF OUR POPULATION IS
(19:38):
IMMIGRANT.
WHERE 5 MILLION WORKERS IN THE
STATE ARE IMMIGRANTS, AND WE
CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS.
NEW YORK IS HAS BEEN BUILT BY
WAVES OF IMMIGRANTS AND WE WILL
CONTINUE TO.
THERE IS NO NEW YORK WITHOUT
IMMIGRANT NEW YORK.
IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT OUR
STATE LEADERS STAND UP AND FIGHT
(19:59):
BACK AND FIGHT FOR OUR
COMMUNITIES AND FIGHT FOR
EVERYTHING THAT WE LOVE ABOUT
OUR STATE.
>> WE DID SOME REPORTING
RECENTLY ON SOME STATE POLICIES
TO HELP IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES,
SUCH AS THE NEW YORK FOR ALL
ACT, WHICH YOU MENTIONED, THE
DIGNITY NOT DETENTION ACT AND
THE LEGAL REPRESENTATION ACT.
CAN YOU START BY TELLING US HOW
(20:20):
THESE POLICIES COULD POTENTIALLY
HELP IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES THIS
YEAR AND ALSO I WANTED TO GET
INTO SOME OF THE STRATEGY THAT
YOU'LL BE PUTTING FORTH THIS
SESSION, AS I KNOW THESE AREN'T
NECESSARILY NEW POLICY ISSUES
THAT YOU'RE TAKING UP.
>> THE NEW YORK FOR ALL ACT IS
PRETTY SIMPLE.
IT SAYS THAT THE STATE OF NEW
YORK WILL NOT USE ANY OF ITS
(20:41):
RESOURCES TO COLLUDE WITH
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE
THAT'S A FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITY.
NOT THE STATE'S.
IT ALSO SAYS THAT WE ARE NOT
GOING TO COLLUDE WITH THE
SEPARATION OF FAMILY AND THE
HARMING OF COMMUNITIES, AND I
THINK THAT IS THE FLOOR AND
THAT'S WHY WE ARE ASKING THAT
OUR STATE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS,
(21:03):
OUR ASSEMBLY MEMBERS, OUR
SENATORS AND OUR GOVERNORS STEP
UP AND SUPPORT IT SO IT BECOMES
THE LAW OF THE LAND.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING ALREADY WITHIN
THE FIRST WEEK OF THIS
ADMINISTRATION IS MASSIVE FEAR
HAPPENING.
WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN RAIDS
HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.
THAT IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.
WE NEED THE STEP IN TO SAY WE
(21:23):
ARE NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN
THIS AND WE ARE GOING TO PROTECT
OUR NEW YORKERS.
THE DIGNITY NOT DETENTION ACT
WOULD ACTUALLY PROHIBIT THE USE
OF JAILS OR IMMIGRATION
DETENTION AND WHAT WE'RE GOING
TO START SEEING IS THAT THE
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO
START LOOKING FOR WAYS TO DETAIN
PEOPLE AND LEAVE THEM IN JAIL
REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER THE ISSUE
(21:46):
MAY BE THAT PUT THEM THERE TO
BEGIN WITH.
SO WE SHOULD NOT BE USING OUR
STATE'S INFRASTRUCTURE TO
SUPPORT THE MASS DEPORTATION'S
APPARATUS THAT'S BEING BUILT
RIGHT NOW AND THE ACCESS TO
REPRESENTATION ACT IS JUST THAT.
IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM,
YOU HAVE AN RIGHT TO ATTORNEY.
IN THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM, WE DO
NOT.
(22:06):
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE
WHO ARE GOING UP AGAINST A
GOVERNMENT-TRAINED PROSECUTOR
AND A JUDGE, WHOSE SOLE JOB IS
TO REMOVE YOU FROM THIS COUNTRY
THAT YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT OF AN
ATTORNEY WHO IS GOING TO HELP
YOU NAVIGATE YOUR CASE AND WHAT
WE'VE SEEN IS THAT PEOPLE WITH
IMMIGRATION LAWYERS ACTUALLY
HAVE A TEN TIMES MORE LIKELIHOOD
OF WINNING THEIR CASE AND BEING
(22:27):
ABLE TO STAY WITH THEIR FAMILIES
AND IN THEIR COMMUNITIES IN NEW
YORK.
>> AND FROM YOUR PURVIEW, WILL
THESE POLICIES BE ENOUGH TO HELP
ADDRESS CHALLENGES ON THE
FEDERAL LEVEL?
>> THEY WILL BE ENOUGH TO
PROTECT NEW YORKERS FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS ONLY
SEEKING TO SOW MORE CHAOS AND
CRUELTY ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.
SO IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS
(22:48):
NEW YORKERS TO STAND UP AND
FIGHT FOR ONE ANOTHER AND TO
FIGHT FOR THE DIGNITY AND
RESPECT THAT WE BELIEVE EVERYONE
DESERVES.
>> AND WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE
ARGUMENT FROM REPUBLICANS HERE
IN ALBANY THAT THE FOCUS FOR THE
LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE ON NEW
YORKERS AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE
ALLOCATING RESOURCES TO
IMMIGRANTS?
>> WELL, IMMIGRANTS ARE NEW
YORKERS.
(23:09):
WE SHOULD BE ALLOCATING
RESOURCES TO ALL NEW YORKERS, SO
I AGREE WITH THEM.
WE SHOULD BE ALLOCATING
RESOURCES TO ALL NEW YORKERS AND
MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT BARELY
SURVIVING BUT THEY ARE THRIVING,
WHICH IS WHY WE'RE SUPPORTING
AND LEADING THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE
WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT
WHICH WOULD GIVE FAMILIES THE
CREDIT THAT THEY DESERVE AND
ALSO PUT MORE MONEY IN THE
(23:30):
POCKETS OF PARENTS AND WE LOOK
FORWARD TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING
THE GENTLEMAN FROM-- WHO MADE
THAT COMMENT TO SUPPORT THE
WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT,
WHICH WOULD GIVE FAMILIES AT
LEAST $1,600 PER CHILD IN THE
STATE OF NEW YORK, A TAX CREDIT
WHICH WILL GO A HUGE WAY TO
HELPING FAMILIES REALLY BE ABLE
(23:51):
TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
EVERYONE IS HURTING RIGHT NOW
AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURTING FOR
OVER SIX YEARS AT THIS POINT
WITH THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS,
AND THAT'S THE IRONY OF THE
MOMENT WE'RE LIVING IN IS THAT
WHEN YOU LOOK AT EVERY SINGLE
EXIT POLL DURING THE
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THAT JUST
HAPPENED, THE TOP ISSUE IN THAT
EXIT POLL IS AFFORDABILITY AND
(24:11):
THE ECONOMY.
THE TOP ISSUE, BY FAR, IN EVERY
SINGLE EXIT POLL, AND INSTEAD OF
ADDRESSING THAT, WHAT WE SEE IS
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COMING
IN AND TRYING TO CREATE A DEEPER
AFFORDABILITY CRISIS BY HARMING
IMMIGRANTS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.
IT DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE.
INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY TRYING TO
(24:32):
RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE, WHAT WE'RE
SEEING IS THAT THE PRESSURE'S
ABOUT TO GET TURNED UP HIGHER.
>> LASTLY, WHAT DO YOU WANT NEW
YORKERS TO KNOW OR UNDERSTAND
ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE
FEDERAL LEVEL AND HOW IT MIGHT
AFFECT THEM?
>> I THINK ALL NEW YORKERS
SHOULD KNOW THAT THIS
ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY COME
IN ATTACK PEOPLE'S
(24:52):
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, AND THERE
IS A SAYING THAT IF THEY'RE NOT
COMING FOR YOU RIGHT NOW, THEY
WILL COME FOR YOU NEXT.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO
CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.
SO THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR
EVERYONE TO STAND UP AND VOICE
THEIR CONCERN.
REACH OUT TO THEIR CONGRESSIONAL
MEMBERS AND LODGE THEIR CONCERNS
WITH THEM AS WELL TO MAKE SURE
THAT THEY HEAR THEM, THAT THEY
UNDERSTAND THAT THEY'RE AGAINST
(25:13):
THESE ATTACKS ON NEW YORKERS AND
THAT WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR
ONE ANOTHER.
BECAUSE IF WE DON'T FIGHT FOR
ONE ANOTHER, NO ONE IS GOING TO
BE FIGHTING FOR US WHEN IT'S OUR
TURN.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE
TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING
WITH US.
>> THANK YOU.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
MURAD AWAWDEH, PRESIDENT AND CEO
OF NEW YORK IMMIGRATION
(25:33):
COALITION.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
AND FOR MORE ON THE DETAILS OF
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION POLICY, YOU
CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
YOU CAN ALSO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR
NEWSLETTER BY GOING TO
NEWSLETTER.NYNOW.ORG.
WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS
(25:54):
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>>ANNOUNCER (26:36):
FUNDING FOR "NEW
YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
(00:19):
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL'S
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL
PROVIDED FUNDING FOR UNIVERSAL
SCHOOL MEALS.
ACCORDING TO THE EXECUTIVE
CHAMBER, THE FUNDING WILL HELP
PROVIDE FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
FOR OVER 2.7 MILLION STUDENTS IN
(00:39):
DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE.
NOW THIS IS A POPULAR POLICY
MEASURE BACKED BY BOTH
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IN THE
LEGISLATURE.
THE FUNDING, WHICH IS $340
MILLION IN THE PROPOSAL, HAS
HUNGER ADVOCATES AND LAWMAKERS
EXCITED HEADING INTO BUDGET
NEGOTIATIONS.
FOR MORE ON LAWMAKERS' PLANS TO
(01:01):
SAFEGUARD THE FUNDING IN THIS
YEAR'S FINAL ENACTED BUDGET,
HERE'S OUR ELISE KLINE.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR'S
FISCAL YEAR 2026 EXECUTIVE BUDGET
ADDRESS LAST WEEK, ADVOCATES AND
LAWMAKERS GATHERED WITH CHEER ON
THE NEW YORK STATE CAPITOL STEPS
TO CELEBRATE A PROPOSAL TO MAKE
SCHOOL MEALS FREE FOR STUDENTS
(01:21):
ACROSS THE STATE.
THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSES
$340 MILLION LUNCH AND BREAKFAST
FREE IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS
THE STATE.
FOR MANY ADVOCATES THIS IS A
WIN-AFTER MANY YEARS OF PUSHING
FOR UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS.
ANDRES VIVES, CEO OF HUNGER
SOLUTIONS NEW YORK, SAYS THE
FUNDING WILL GREATLY IMPACT THE
2.7 MILLION STUDENTS ACROSS THE
ENTIRE STATE.
(01:42):
>> YOU CAN'T TEACH A HUNGRY
CHILD AND YOU KNOW HAVING MEALS
PROVIDED IN SCHOOL-A FREE
BREAKFAST, A FREE LUNCH GETS US
SO MUCH FURTHER.
OUR CHILDREN GET TO GO TO SCHOOL
WITHOUT STIGMA, THEY GET TO
RECEIVE A MEAL.
THEY GO THROUGH THE SCHOOL DAY
WITH FUEL FOR THEIR MINDS.
>> VIVES ADDS THIS PROPOSAL WILL
ALSO SUPPORT SCHOOL
(02:02):
ADMINISTRATORS TO DO WHAT THEY
LOVE:
>> FEED KIDS AND NOT BE DEALING
WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN
OF DEALING WITH ALL OF THE
PAPERWORK THAT GOES ALONG WITH
SCHOOL MEAL DEBT AND SCHOOL
ACCOUNTS AND CALLING FAMILIES TO
TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET
PAID, YOU KNOW, SO IT IS REALLY
GOOD FOR THE STATE.
GOOD FOR THE STATE.
(02:23):
IT SAVES FAMILIES ABOUT $2,000
PER CHILD PER YEAR.
>> IN NEW YORK CITY, SCHOOL
MEALS HAVE BEEN FREE SINCE 2017.
SOME STUDENTS SAY THEY HAVE SEEN
THE POSITIVE DIFFERENCE THIS
INITIATIVE HAS HAD ON STUDENTS
OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.
17-YEAR-OLD FAITH JONES, A HIGH
SCHOOL SENIOR AT BROOKLYN
TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL AND A
YOUTH FELLOW WITH COMMUNITY FOOD
ADVOCATES OF NYC, SAYS SHE HAS
WATCHED FRIENDS OF HERS STRUGGLE
(02:45):
WITH AFFORDING LUNCH AND GOING
HUNGRY-BUT WHEN SCHOOL MEALS
BECAME UNIVERSAL DOWNSTATE SHE
SAYS THE CAFETERIA CULTURE
DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED.
>> YOU SEE THE STUDENTS GO INTO
LINE-ESPECIALLY BROOKLYN TECH WE
HAVE 6,000 STUDENTS, I THINK
WE'RE THE LARGEST HIGH SCHOOL IN
THE COUNTRY-- wE ALL GO INTO THE
LINE, WE ALL GRAB OUR LUNCH.
AND I THINK ONE THING THAT IS SO
(03:05):
NOTABLE IS NOBODY IS COMPLAINING
ABOUT BEING HUNGRY WHEN THEY'RE
IN THE CAFETERIA.
NOBODY IS SAYING THEY CAN'T GET
LUNCH BECAUSE EVERYONE IS ABLE
TO ACCESS TO THAT LUNCH.
>> JONES ADDS FREE SCHOOL MEALS
HELP STUDENTS ENJOY LUNCH RATHER
THAN STRESS ABOUT IT.
SOT [JONES] "I REALLY DO SEE THE
IMPROVEMENTS FOR EVERY STUDENT
THEY GET TO MORE SO ENJOY THEIR
SCHOOL EXPERIENCE AND I HOPE
THAT FOR ALL NEW YORK STATE
STUDENTS," [ELISE] THERE ARE FEW
ISSUES THE UNITE BOTH DEMOCRATS
(03:27):
AND REPUBLICANS AT THE STATE
CAPITOL.
BUT, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS
HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE
LEGISLATURE FOR YEARS.
HOWEVER, NOW THAT THE GOVERNOR
PUT IT IN HER STATE OF THE STATE
AND HER BUDGET PROPOSALS-THE
PATH FORWARD IS MUCH CLEARER.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER MATT SLATER, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
PUTNAM AND WESTCHESTER COUNTIES,
HAS ADVOCATED FOR UNIVERSAL
SCHOOL MEALS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
HE SAYS AS A DAD HE UNDERSTANDS
(03:48):
HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR KIDS TO
BE SET UP FOR SUCCESS.
WHILE THE INITIATIVE HAS BEEN
FUNDED PARTIALLY IN THE LAST TWO
BUDGETS, IT HAS NEVER BEEN FULLY
FUNDED.
NOW THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT
FUNDING ALLOCATION FOR THIS
ISSUE ASIDE RIGHT OFF THE BAT,
LAWMAKERS FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT
THE BUDGET PROCESS MOVING
FORWARD.
SLATER SAYS THIS STATE FUNDING
IS IMPERATIVE, ESPECIALLY FOR
FAMILIES WHO MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR
(04:09):
STATE OR FEDERAL SCHOOL MEAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
>> THAT NUMBER THAT THE GOVERNOR
PROPOSED GETS US TO EVERY
STUDENT IN EVERY SCHOOL.
IN MY DISTRICT, WE ARE SHORT
TWELVE SCHOOLS-EIGHT THOUSAND
KIDS THAT CURRENTLY DON'T
QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM AND THE
ALLOCATION FROM THE GOVERNOR
DOES GET US ACROSS THE FINISH
LINE THERE.
SO I THINK RIGHT NOW OUR FOCUS
IS TO GET THE BALL INTO THE END
(04:29):
ZONE.
>> THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL
REQUIRES ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS,
CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND NON-PUBLIC
SCHOOLS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH AND
BREAKFAST PROGRAM TO PROVIDE
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH TO
STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR
FAMILIES INCOME.
THE STATE IS ESSENTIALLY PAYING
THE STUDENTS' SHARE OF COSTS FOR
ALL MEALS SERVED TO STUDENTS NOT
RECEIVING FREE MEALS.
ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET DIRECTOR, BLAKE
(04:50):
WASHINGTON, THE STATE CAN AFFORD
INITIATIVES LIKE THIS ONE
BECAUSE THE STATE'S FISCAL
HEALTH IS SOUND.
WASHINGTON HIGHLIGHTED $21.1
BILLION IN STATE RESERVES AND A
$5.3 BILLION SURPLUS FROM INCOME
TAXES.
THE PROPOSAL WILL ALSO CONTINUE
TO SHARE COSTS WITH A STATE
SUBSIDY PROGRAM CALLED THE
COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY
PROVISION-WHICH ALLOWS
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS, BASED ON
(05:11):
A FEDERALLY DETERMINED THRESHOLD
NEED OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TO
SERVE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AT NO
COST TO ALL ENROLLED STUDENTS.
THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF
TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY
ASSISTANCE COMMISSIONER BARBARA
GUINN SAYS THE STATE HELPING TO
SHARE COSTS MAKES SURE THE
SCHOOL DISTRICTS' BUDGETS ARE
COVERED.
>> SCHOOLS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
THE COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY
PROVISION RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT
(05:33):
BUT NOT NECESSARILY FULL
REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE MEALS THAT
ARE PROVIDED AT SCHOOL AND THEN,
OF COURSE, SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS
ARE NOT ELIGIBLE
FOR THE FEDERAL COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY
PROVISIONS SO IN BOTH INSTANCES
THE STATE IS STEPPING IN.
>> GUINN ADDS THIS PROGRAM MEANS
STUDENTS ARE WELL-FED AND READY
TO LEARN.
(05:53):
>>FROM A FAMILY STANDPOINT, IT
OBVIOUSLY HELPS REDUCE COSTS
THAT THEY WOULD OTHERWISE NEED
TO SPEND ON PROVIDING BREAKFAST
AND LUNCH AND ALSO PROBABLY
HOPEFULLY SAVES A LITTLE BIT OF
TIME IN THEIR DAY TO NOT HAVE TO
PREPARE THOSE MEALS.
SO, IT'S GOOD FOR FAMILIES FROM
AN AFFORDABILITY STANDPOINT, AND
MOST IMPORTANTLY IT'S GOOD FOR
(06:13):
THE CHILDREN SO AGAIN THEY'RE
READY TO LEARN-WHEN CHILDREN ARE
READY TO LEARN OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE
GOING TO DO BETTER IN SCHOOL AND
HAVE BETTER PROSPECTS FOR THEIR
FUTURE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
>> THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET
PROPOSAL MEANS STUDENTS WHO
DON'T ALREADY HAVE ACCESS TO
FREE SCHOOL MEALS THROUGH THE
CEP OR THE NATIONAL LUNCH AND
BREAKFAST PROGRAM WILL BE FED.
(06:33):
>> THIS YEAR WILL ADD ON THE
BALANCE OF THE SCHOOLS BRINGING
IN ABOUT ALMOST AN ADDITIONAL
300,000 STUDENTS WHO WILL BE ELIGIBLE
THEN TO RECEIVE FREE MEALS.
AGAIN MAKING IT UNIVERSAL,
THERE'S NO QUESTION REDUCES THE
STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH CHILDREN
WHO MAY OTHERWISE BE RECEIVING
(06:54):
MEALS IN A LIMITED CAPACITY
WITHIN THE SCHOOL.
>> ASSEMBLY MEMBER JESSICA
GONZALEZ-ROJAS, A DEMOCRAT
REPRESENTING QUEENS ECHOED THE
COMMISSIONERS POINTS SAYING THIS
FUNDING WILL HELP CLOSE THE GAPS
AND FINANCIAL BARRIERS IN PARTS
OF THE STATE LIKE LONG ISLAND,
HUDSON VALLEY AND WESTERN NEW
YORK.
>> WHAT HAPPENS IS EVEN IN
DISTRICTS OR COMMUNITIES THAT
ARE DEEMED 'WEALTHY' THERE ARE
WORKING-CLASS FAMILY MEMBERS,
(07:16):
THERE ARE IMMIGRANT FAMILY
MEMBERS, THERE ARE CHILDREN WHO
FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, WHILE THEIR
PARENTS MAY BE ABLE TO FILL OUT
ADDITIONAL FORMS, BURDENSOME
FORMS.
OFTEN LANGUAGE BARRIER IS AN
ISSUE.
>> LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF
THE AISLE HIGHLIGHT MANY
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL MEAL
TICKETS ALSO FACE STIGMA.
AT A RECENT PRESS CONFERENCE,
STATE SENATOR DEAN MURRAY, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
(07:37):
SUFFOLK COUNTY, SAYS WHEN HE WAS
A STUDENT WITH A FREE SCHOOL
MEAL PASS HE WAS OFTEN TEASED.
>> I WOULD GET MY RED TICKETS
THAT I WOULD TAKE IN AND IN THE
MORNING I WOULD SHOW MY TICKET
TO GET MY BREAKFAST AND MY LUNCH
AND THEN THE KIDS STARTED
NOTICING THAT WAS DIFFERENT FROM
THEM.
THEN THEY FOUND OUT WHY BECAUSE
I WAS THE POOR KID.
(07:59):
'WHY ARE WE PAYING FOR YOU?'
THIS, THAT, THE OTHER.
THE TEASING GOT SO BAD AND THE
BULLYING-- STOPPED EATING.
I JUST THREW THE TICKETS AWAY.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE KIDS
THAT ARE DOING THAT NOW.
>> MURRAY SAYS BY MAKING SCHOOL
MEALS UNIVERSAL EVERY STUDENT
WILL BE ON EQUAL FOOTING.
>> EVERYONE GETS IT.
(08:22):
NO ONE TO BE BULLIED AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY EVERY CHILD GETS FED
AND THAT'S OUR GOAL.
WITH THAT, I HOPE EVERYONE WILL
UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE PUSHING SO
HARD TO GET THIS DONE.
>> SOME LAWMAKERS SAY THE MAIN
PUSHBACK AGAINST FULLY FUNDING
THIS INITIATIVE IN PREVIOUS
STATE BUDGETS IS THE COST.
(08:42):
SOME LAWMAKERS TOLD WMHT
CONCERNS HAVE COME UP AS PART OF
THE LARGER SPENDING CONVERSATION
OF THE STATE BUDGET BUT THERE
DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ANY DIRECT
OPPOSITION TO THIS MEASURE.
MOVING FORWARD LAWMAKERS WILL
HAVE TO SAFEGUARD THE 340
MILLION DOLLAR PROPOSAL FROM
POTENTIAL CUTS-WHICH CAN HAPPEN
DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS AS
PRIORITIES ARE WEIGHED.
>> THE PUSHBACK ALWAYS IS THE
(09:03):
COST, BUT I THINK WE'VE REALLY
MADE A STRONG EFFORT AND HAVE
REALLY DEMONSTRATED THE FACT
THAT THIS INVESTMENT-YES THERE'S
A COST ASSOCIATED TO IT BUT THIS
INVESTMENT WE'RE MAKING IS IN
OUR KIDS.
IF WE'RE NOT FEEDING HUNGRY
CHILDREN THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT
WE'RE DOING UP HERE.
AND SO WE'VE REALLY DONE A GREAT
JOB BRINGING REPUBLICANS AND
DEMOCRATS TOGETHER ON AN
IMPORTANT ISSUE LIKE THIS.
(09:23):
>> ASSEMBLY MEMBER ED RA, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING NASSAU
COUNTY AND A RANKING MEMBER OF
THE ASSEMBLY WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE, SAYS THE BUDGET
PROCESS MOVING FORWARD-PUBLIC
HEARINGS, NEGOTIATIONS AND
VOTING ON BUDGET BILLS-SHOULD
MOVE SMOOTHLY FOR THIS PROPOSAL.
>> THE COST-YES THAT'S A LOT OF
MONEY BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT
IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SCHOOL AID
NUMBER IT'S REALLY A TINY
(09:47):
FRACTION.
SO, I THINK EVERYBODY IS ON THE
SAME PAGE AND IT SHOULD BE
SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY IS ON
BOARD WITH.
>> ASSEMBLY MEMBER STEVE OTIS, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, ECHOED RA'S
MESSAGE-EMPHASIZING THE SUPPORT
FOR THIS MEASURE.
>> NEGOTIATION IS A KEY PART OF
THE BUDGET PROCESS-EVERYTHING IS
(10:07):
CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING ELSE BUT
I'M FAIRLY OPTIMISTIC-THE STRONG
SUPPORT FOR THIS AND JUST
KNOWING HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS
FOR THE EDUCATION PROCESS AND
FOR THE HEALTH OF KIDS.
>> OTHER DEMOCRATS IN THE
ASSEMBLY, THE FACT THAT THE
GOVERNOR PUT THIS MEASURE IN HER
BUDGET PROPOSAL MEANS THE
MEASURE WILL VERY LIKELY HAVE
THE SUPPORT IT NEEDS TO BECOME
OFFICIAL.
>> NOW THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT
IT IN THE BUDGET, WE FEEL VERY
(10:27):
CONFIDENT IT'S GOING TO MOVE
FORWARD.
IT'S BEEN IN THE ONE-HOUSE
BUDGETS IN THE ASSEMBLY, IT'S
BEEN IN THE ONE-HOUSE BUDGETS IN
THE SENATE SO I FEEL VERY
CONFIDENT THAT IT'S GOING TO
MOVE FORWARD AND WE'LL BE ABLE
TO CELEBRATE ONCE THE INK IS DRY
ON THE BUDGET.
>> GONZALEZ-ROJAS ADDS THIS
BUDGET MEASURE THIS YEAR COULD
SOLIDIFY IT TO BECOME A
PERMANENT PART OF THE STATE
BUDGET IN YEARS TO COME-EVEN
(10:47):
WITH A POTENTIAL CHANGE IN
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP NEXT YEAR.
>> I REALLY ANTICIPATE THIS
SOLIDIFYING THIS MEASURE IN
YEARS TO COME.
I DON'T SEE HOW A GOVERNOR ROBS
FOOD OFF THE TABLE OF CHILDREN
IN SCHOOLS.
SO, THIS IS SOMETHING, AGAIN,
THAT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND
WE REALLY ANTICIPATE IT BEING A
(11:08):
REALLY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM AND
ONE WE'LL IMMEDIATELY SEE THE
BENEFITS OF.
>> SOME POLITICAL EXPERTS SAY
GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S INITIATIVE
THIS YEAR IS ALL PART OF THE
GOVERNOR'S AFFORDABILITY FOCUS
FOR THIS YEAR.
>> SHAWN DONAHUE, A POLITICAL
PROFESSOR AT SUNY-BUFFALO, SAYS
THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL
IS RIGHT IN LINE WITH HER
AFFORDABILITY AGENDA FOR THIS
YEAR.
>> DONAHUE ALSO SAYS THIS
MEASURE SEEMS TO HAVE GAINED
(11:28):
MOMENTUM NATIONALLY OVER THE
PAST YEAR.
>> IT SEEMED LIKE IT GOT A BIG
BOOST LAST YEAR WHENEVER TIM
WALZ BECAME THE DEMOCRATIC
NOMINEE FOR VICE PRESIDENT
BECAUSE MINNESOTA HAD PUT THIS
IN PLACE.
SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE
SEEN SOME OF BLUE STATES, SO
STATES WHERE THE DEMOCRATS ARE
IN CONTROL OF THE LEGISLATURE
(11:49):
AND THE GOVERNORSHIP HAVE PUSHED
THROUGH.
>> IF THIS MEASURE IS ADOPTED IN
THE FINAL STATE BUDGET, NEW YORK
WILL BECOME THE NINTH STATE IN
THE COUNTRY TO MAKE SCHOOL MEALS
UNIVERSALLY FREE.
>> THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL IS
ONLY ONE STEP IN THIS PROCESS TO
OFFICIALLY MAKING MEALS
UNIVERSALLY FREE IN SCHOOLS.
THE NEXT STEP AT THIS POINT IS
BUDGET HEARINGS WHERE LAWMAKERS
CAN QUESTION EXPERTS, LEADERS,
AND ADVOCATES ON ISSUES LIKE
(12:10):
THIS ONE.
BUDGET HEARINGS STARTED THIS
WEEK AND ARE SET TO CONTINUE
UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY.
ELISE KLINE, NEW YORK NOW.
[ MUSIC ]
>> AND FOR MORE ON THE FUNDING
FOR UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS, YOU
CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER TOPIC.
(12:31):
AS WE DISCUSSED LAST WEEK ON THE
SHOW, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS
SIGNED A SLEW OF EXECUTIVE
ORDERS AIMED AT IMMIGRATION
POLICY.
NOW THIS WEEK, THERE WERE
SEVERAL REPORTS OF ICE RAIDS AND
ARRESTS IN MAJOR CITIES ACROSS
THE COUNTRY INCLUDING NEW YORK
CITY.
TO UNPACK THE IMPACT OF THE
EXECUTIVE ORDERS, THE LEGAL
(12:52):
CHALLENGES AHEAD AND THE STATE'S
ROLE IN PROTECTING IMMIGRANTS,
WE SAT DOWN WITH MURAD AWAWDEH,
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE NEW
YORK IMMIGRATION COALITION.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE
TIME TO SPEAK WITH US, MURAD.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> OF COURSE.
NOW UNDER A RECENT EXECUTIVE
(13:13):
ORDER, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
HAS MOVED TO END BIRTH RITE
CITIZENSHIP.
I WANTED TO GET YOUR REACTION TO
THIS MEASURE AS SOMEONE WHO
UNDERSTANDS THE STRUGGLES OF
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES IN NEW
YORK.
>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW, PRESIDENT
TRUMP WAS JUST ELECTED RECENTLY
BUT INAUGURATED ON MONDAY AND
(13:34):
IMMEDIATELY PASSED A SLEW--
SIGNED A SLEW OF EXECUTIVE
ORDERS AND ACTIONS THAT WERE
STRAIGHT-UP ANTI-IMMIGRANT.
NONE OF THEM WERE TO ACTUALLY
MAKE AMERICA SAFER.
IN THIS MOMENT WHAT WE'RE SEEING
IS EVEN WITH THE BIRTH RITE
CITIZENSHIP EXECUTIVE ACTION, A
JUDGE, LESS THAN 24 HOURS AGO,
(13:57):
PUT A NATIONWIDE INJUNCTION ON
IT SAYING THAT IT IS
UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
SO A LOT OF THESE ACTIONS, WE
BELIEVE, ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL,
AND WE'RE WAITING TO SEE HOW
THEY COME-- HOW THE COURT SYSTEM
PROCESSES THEM IN THIS MOMENT.
>> YEAH. AS YOU MENTIONED, THE
FEDERAL JUDGE TEMPORARILY
BLOCKED THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER.
SO ARE THERE ANY PLANS FOR THE
(14:18):
NEW YORK IMMIGRATION COALITION
TO BE INVOLVED WITH OR ASSIST IN
ANY LEGAL CHALLENGES TO THIS
MEASURE?
>> YEAH. SO WE'RE ASSESSING THE
EXECUTIVE ORDERS CURRENTLY AND,
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ALREADY FILED
WITH OUR NATIONAL PARTNERS AND
NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER,
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS
(14:39):
ON THE RECENSION OF THE
SENSITIVE LOCATIONS DIRECTIVE TO
UNDERSTAND WHAT DECISION-MAKING
THOUGHTS WENT INTO THAT SO WE
HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
IN THIS MOMENT, AND WE ARE
ASSESSING WHICH OTHER EXECUTIVE
ACTIONS WE ARE GOING TO TAKE
(15:01):
ACTION ON.
ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE WORK AT THE
LOCAL LEVEL HERE ACROSS STATE AS
WELL AT THE STATE LEVEL TO
ACTUALLY PROTECT AND DEFEND OUR
COMMUNITIES, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE
FIGHTING FOR THE NEW YORK FOR
ALL ACT, WHICH WOULD SAY THAT
THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL NOT
INVEST ANY RESOURCES TO COLLUDE
WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND
(15:23):
COLLUDE WITH FAMILY SEPARATION
AND HARMING OUR COMMUNITIES AND
OUR LOCAL ECONOMIES.
AS WELL AS FIGHTING FOR
ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION LEGAL
SERVICES FUND.
WE HAVE $165 MILLION TO MAKE
SURE PEOPLE AREN'T GOING UP
AGAINST A GOVERNMENT-TRAINED
PROSECUTOR AND JUDGE WHOSE SOLE
JOB IS TO REMOVE THEM FROM THIS
COUNTRY.
>> IN ADDITION TO THAT EXECUTIVE
ORDER, THE PRESIDENT ALSO SIGNED
(15:44):
AN ORDER STRIPPING CHURCHES AND
SCHOOLS OF IMMIGRATION
ENFORCEMENT PROTECTION.
SO CAN YOU HELP US PUT THAT INTO
CONTEXT?
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE
IMPLICATIONS OF A MEASURE LIKE
THIS WILL BE, AND WE'LL GET
INTO, OF COURSE, YOUR STATE
EFFORTS AFTER.
>> THE RECENSION OF THE
SENSITIVE LOCATIONS MEMO IS JUST
HEARTLESS.
IT IS TRYING TO INFLICT EVEN
(16:06):
MORE FEAR AND CHAOS IN
COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF
NEW YORK AND THIS COUNTRY.
WHENEVER EVERYONE THINKS OF SAFE
HAVEN OR A PLACE WHERE YOU WILL
BE SAFE IS A HOSPITAL OR YOUR
SCHOOL OR YOUR PLACE OF FAITH,
AND THAT MEMO PRETTY MUCH SAID
(16:26):
THAT ICE WILL NOT OPERATE IN
THOSE SPACES, BUT THIS
ADMINISTRATION IS, AGAIN, NOT
LEANING INTO THE SAFETY AND
SECURITY OF OUR COUNTRY.
THEY'RE LEANING INTO CRUELTY AND
THAT'S THE POINT OF THIS IS WHEN
THEY RESCINDED THAT, THEY'RE
SAYING WE'RE GOING AFTER
EVERYONE EVERYWHERE REGARDLESS
OF, YOU KNOW, YOUR SENSIBILITIES
OR WHERE YOU THINK YOU MAY BE
(16:48):
SAFE.
WE'RE COMING FOR YOU EVERYWHERE
AND THAT'S JUST GUTLESS AND
HEARTLESS IN THIS MOMENT.
>> FROM YOUR PURVIEW, WHAT ROLE
SHOULD WORK AND THE LEGISLATURE
SHOULD PLAY IN SORT OF COMBATING
THESE EFFORTS AND PROTECTING THE
RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF
IMMIGRANTS WHILE THIS IS A
FEDERAL, YOU KNOW, MEASURE?
>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW, NEW YORK
HAS BEEN KNOWN TO LEAD IN THE
(17:08):
NATION AND WE'RE LOOKING TO NEW
YORK TO LEAD AGAIN.
WE NEED THE STATE LEGISLATURE
AND THE GOVERNOR TO LEAD IN THIS
MOMENT IN HELPING US PASS NEW
YORK FOR ALL ACT, WHICH WOULD
STOP THE STATE FROM USING ANY OF
ITS RESOURCES TO COLLUDE WITH
FAMILY SEPARATION, HARMING OUR
COMMUNITIES AND GUTTING OUR
LOCAL ECONOMIES.
NEW YORK FOR ALL ACT WILL ENSURE
(17:30):
THAT NEW YORKERS FEEL SAFE IN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THAT
THEIR STATE IS NOT HARMING THEM.
ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE FIGHTING FOR
INCREASED RESOURCES FOR LEGAL
SERVICES OF $165 MILLION TO
ENSURE THAT PEOPLE IN
DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS GET THE
HELP THEY NEED.
THEY'RE GOING UP AGAINST
GOVERNMENT-TRAINED JUDGES AND
PROSECUTORS WHOSE SOLE JOB IS TO
(17:51):
REMOVE THEM FROM THIS COUNTRY.
WHAT WE DO KNOW IS OUR
COMMUNITY'S CONTRIBUTIONS ARE
HUGE HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW
YORK, CONTRIBUTING OVER $68
BILLION IN COMBINED TAXES TO THE
STATE, HAVING THE SPENDING POWER
OF $150 TO $200 BILLION.
THAT'S ARE NOT LITTLE NUMBERS.
THOSE ARE MINUSCULE IMPACTS THAT
(18:12):
WE'RE NOT GOING TO FEEL.
EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE IN NEW YORK
IS TOUCHED BY AN IMMIGRANT, ONE
WAY OR THE OTHER.
FROM OUR FOOD BEING PLANTED,
PICKED, STOCKED IN STORES AND
SOLD IN IMMIGRANT SMALL
BUSINESSES.
THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT
CONTINUE TO NOURISH NOT JUST US
(18:34):
INDIVIDUALLY BUT OUR STATE, TO
OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHO ARE
IMMIGRANTS.
THESE ARE ATTACHED TO EVERY
SINGLE ASPECT OF LIFE HERE IN
NEW YORK AND WE NEED THE STATE
OF NEW YORK TO FIGHT BACK
AGAINST THIS MASS DEPORTATION
PLAN.
>> AND FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE,
IF THESE MEASURES GO UNCHECKED
(18:55):
WHAT WOULD BE THE LONG-TERM
IMPLICATIONS FOR IMMIGRANTS
AROUND THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN
NEW YORK?
>> THE EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ARE THE
PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ACTIONS
ARE BEING CHECKED AND THEY ARE
BEING LITIGATED IN THIS MOMENT.
SO WE'LL SEE HOW THE COURT
PROCESS PROCEEDS.
WE'RE ALREADY SEEING GOOD
INDICATIONS THAT AS WE THOUGHT,
(19:18):
SOME OF THESE ACTIONS ARE
UNCONSTITUTIONAL, BUT WHAT WE DO
NEED IS LEADERS TO STAND UP AND
TO FIGHT BACK.
WE NEED OUR POLITICAL LEADERS TO
STAND UP AND FIGHT BACK.
IF NOT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE REAL
SERIOUS PROBLEMS ON OUR HANDS.
IN A STATE LIKE NEW YORK WHERE
ONE-FOURTH OF OUR POPULATION IS
(19:38):
IMMIGRANT.
WHERE 5 MILLION WORKERS IN THE
STATE ARE IMMIGRANTS, AND WE
CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS.
NEW YORK IS HAS BEEN BUILT BY
WAVES OF IMMIGRANTS AND WE WILL
CONTINUE TO.
THERE IS NO NEW YORK WITHOUT
IMMIGRANT NEW YORK.
IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT OUR
STATE LEADERS STAND UP AND FIGHT
(19:59):
BACK AND FIGHT FOR OUR
COMMUNITIES AND FIGHT FOR
EVERYTHING THAT WE LOVE ABOUT
OUR STATE.
>> WE DID SOME REPORTING
RECENTLY ON SOME STATE POLICIES
TO HELP IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES,
SUCH AS THE NEW YORK FOR ALL
ACT, WHICH YOU MENTIONED, THE
DIGNITY NOT DETENTION ACT AND
THE LEGAL REPRESENTATION ACT.
CAN YOU START BY TELLING US HOW
(20:20):
THESE POLICIES COULD POTENTIALLY
HELP IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES THIS
YEAR AND ALSO I WANTED TO GET
INTO SOME OF THE STRATEGY THAT
YOU'LL BE PUTTING FORTH THIS
SESSION, AS I KNOW THESE AREN'T
NECESSARILY NEW POLICY ISSUES
THAT YOU'RE TAKING UP.
>> THE NEW YORK FOR ALL ACT IS
PRETTY SIMPLE.
IT SAYS THAT THE STATE OF NEW
YORK WILL NOT USE ANY OF ITS
(20:41):
RESOURCES TO COLLUDE WITH
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE
THAT'S A FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITY.
NOT THE STATE'S.
IT ALSO SAYS THAT WE ARE NOT
GOING TO COLLUDE WITH THE
SEPARATION OF FAMILY AND THE
HARMING OF COMMUNITIES, AND I
THINK THAT IS THE FLOOR AND
THAT'S WHY WE ARE ASKING THAT
OUR STATE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS,
(21:03):
OUR ASSEMBLY MEMBERS, OUR
SENATORS AND OUR GOVERNORS STEP
UP AND SUPPORT IT SO IT BECOMES
THE LAW OF THE LAND.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING ALREADY WITHIN
THE FIRST WEEK OF THIS
ADMINISTRATION IS MASSIVE FEAR
HAPPENING.
WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN RAIDS
HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.
THAT IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.
WE NEED THE STEP IN TO SAY WE
(21:23):
ARE NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN
THIS AND WE ARE GOING TO PROTECT
OUR NEW YORKERS.
THE DIGNITY NOT DETENTION ACT
WOULD ACTUALLY PROHIBIT THE USE
OF JAILS OR IMMIGRATION
DETENTION AND WHAT WE'RE GOING
TO START SEEING IS THAT THE
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO
START LOOKING FOR WAYS TO DETAIN
PEOPLE AND LEAVE THEM IN JAIL
REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER THE ISSUE
(21:46):
MAY BE THAT PUT THEM THERE TO
BEGIN WITH.
SO WE SHOULD NOT BE USING OUR
STATE'S INFRASTRUCTURE TO
SUPPORT THE MASS DEPORTATION'S
APPARATUS THAT'S BEING BUILT
RIGHT NOW AND THE ACCESS TO
REPRESENTATION ACT IS JUST THAT.
IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM,
YOU HAVE AN RIGHT TO ATTORNEY.
IN THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM, WE DO
NOT.
(22:06):
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE
WHO ARE GOING UP AGAINST A
GOVERNMENT-TRAINED PROSECUTOR
AND A JUDGE, WHOSE SOLE JOB IS
TO REMOVE YOU FROM THIS COUNTRY
THAT YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT OF AN
ATTORNEY WHO IS GOING TO HELP
YOU NAVIGATE YOUR CASE AND WHAT
WE'VE SEEN IS THAT PEOPLE WITH
IMMIGRATION LAWYERS ACTUALLY
HAVE A TEN TIMES MORE LIKELIHOOD
OF WINNING THEIR CASE AND BEING
(22:27):
ABLE TO STAY WITH THEIR FAMILIES
AND IN THEIR COMMUNITIES IN NEW
YORK.
>> AND FROM YOUR PURVIEW, WILL
THESE POLICIES BE ENOUGH TO HELP
ADDRESS CHALLENGES ON THE
FEDERAL LEVEL?
>> THEY WILL BE ENOUGH TO
PROTECT NEW YORKERS FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS ONLY
SEEKING TO SOW MORE CHAOS AND
CRUELTY ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.
SO IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS
(22:48):
NEW YORKERS TO STAND UP AND
FIGHT FOR ONE ANOTHER AND TO
FIGHT FOR THE DIGNITY AND
RESPECT THAT WE BELIEVE EVERYONE
DESERVES.
>> AND WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE
ARGUMENT FROM REPUBLICANS HERE
IN ALBANY THAT THE FOCUS FOR THE
LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE ON NEW
YORKERS AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE
ALLOCATING RESOURCES TO
IMMIGRANTS?
>> WELL, IMMIGRANTS ARE NEW
YORKERS.
(23:09):
WE SHOULD BE ALLOCATING
RESOURCES TO ALL NEW YORKERS, SO
I AGREE WITH THEM.
WE SHOULD BE ALLOCATING
RESOURCES TO ALL NEW YORKERS AND
MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT BARELY
SURVIVING BUT THEY ARE THRIVING,
WHICH IS WHY WE'RE SUPPORTING
AND LEADING THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE
WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT
WHICH WOULD GIVE FAMILIES THE
CREDIT THAT THEY DESERVE AND
ALSO PUT MORE MONEY IN THE
(23:30):
POCKETS OF PARENTS AND WE LOOK
FORWARD TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING
THE GENTLEMAN FROM-- WHO MADE
THAT COMMENT TO SUPPORT THE
WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT,
WHICH WOULD GIVE FAMILIES AT
LEAST $1,600 PER CHILD IN THE
STATE OF NEW YORK, A TAX CREDIT
WHICH WILL GO A HUGE WAY TO
HELPING FAMILIES REALLY BE ABLE
(23:51):
TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
EVERYONE IS HURTING RIGHT NOW
AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURTING FOR
OVER SIX YEARS AT THIS POINT
WITH THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS,
AND THAT'S THE IRONY OF THE
MOMENT WE'RE LIVING IN IS THAT
WHEN YOU LOOK AT EVERY SINGLE
EXIT POLL DURING THE
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THAT JUST
HAPPENED, THE TOP ISSUE IN THAT
EXIT POLL IS AFFORDABILITY AND
(24:11):
THE ECONOMY.
THE TOP ISSUE, BY FAR, IN EVERY
SINGLE EXIT POLL, AND INSTEAD OF
ADDRESSING THAT, WHAT WE SEE IS
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COMING
IN AND TRYING TO CREATE A DEEPER
AFFORDABILITY CRISIS BY HARMING
IMMIGRANTS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.
IT DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE.
INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY TRYING TO
(24:32):
RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE, WHAT WE'RE
SEEING IS THAT THE PRESSURE'S
ABOUT TO GET TURNED UP HIGHER.
>> LASTLY, WHAT DO YOU WANT NEW
YORKERS TO KNOW OR UNDERSTAND
ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE
FEDERAL LEVEL AND HOW IT MIGHT
AFFECT THEM?
>> I THINK ALL NEW YORKERS
SHOULD KNOW THAT THIS
ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY COME
IN ATTACK PEOPLE'S
(24:52):
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, AND THERE
IS A SAYING THAT IF THEY'RE NOT
COMING FOR YOU RIGHT NOW, THEY
WILL COME FOR YOU NEXT.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO
CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.
SO THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR
EVERYONE TO STAND UP AND VOICE
THEIR CONCERN.
REACH OUT TO THEIR CONGRESSIONAL
MEMBERS AND LODGE THEIR CONCERNS
WITH THEM AS WELL TO MAKE SURE
THAT THEY HEAR THEM, THAT THEY
UNDERSTAND THAT THEY'RE AGAINST
(25:13):
THESE ATTACKS ON NEW YORKERS AND
THAT WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR
ONE ANOTHER.
BECAUSE IF WE DON'T FIGHT FOR
ONE ANOTHER, NO ONE IS GOING TO
BE FIGHTING FOR US WHEN IT'S OUR
TURN.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE
TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING
WITH US.
>> THANK YOU.
>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH
MURAD AWAWDEH, PRESIDENT AND CEO
OF NEW YORK IMMIGRATION
(25:33):
COALITION.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
AND FOR MORE ON THE DETAILS OF
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION POLICY, YOU
CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
YOU CAN ALSO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR
NEWSLETTER BY GOING TO
NEWSLETTER.NYNOW.ORG.
WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS
(25:54):
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>>ANNOUNCER (26:36):
FUNDING FOR "NEW
YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.
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