January 24, 2025 • 26 mins
Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled her $252 billion executive budget proposal this week with a focus on affordability. We dive unpack the highlights of the budget and reactions from stakeholders. This week, the nation saw the second inauguration of Donald Trump, who hit the ground running singing executive orders. Trump has made immigration a key policy platform. We dive into the state's approach to immigration reform policy under the new federal administration.
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(00:00):
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
(00:21):
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.
THIS WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL,
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL UNVEILED
HER FISCAL YEAR '26 EXECUTIVE
BUDGET PROPOSAL.
NOW THE PROPOSAL COMES OUT TO
ABOUT $252 BILLION AND PLACES A
BIG EMPHASIS ON AFFORDABILITY.
>> MANY FAMILIES DO CONTINUE TO
(00:41):
STRUGGLE.
NATIONWIDE INFLATION, THE RISING
COST OF THE GROCERY STORE, EVERY
MONTH, WORKING NEW YORKERS
HAVING TO FACE DIFFICULT,
DIFFICULT CHOICES AND HOW TO
STRETCH ALL THEIR DOLLARS.
THAT'S WHY THIS BUDGET IS LASER
FOCUSED ON PUTTING MONEY BACK IN
NEW YORKER'S POCKETS.
THIS WILL BE A $252 BILLION
(01:02):
BUDGET FUNDED BY REVENUE THAT IS
UP NEARLY 8%.
IMPORTANTLY, WE MAINTAIN OUR
RESERVE OF HISTORIC HIGHS OF
MORE THAN $21 BILLION.
>> SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE
BUDGET INCLUDE MONEY FOR
FAMILIES.
THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT SHE WANTS
TO PUT MONEY BACK INTO THE
POCKETS OF NEW YORKERS BY WAY OF
(01:23):
INFLATION REDUCTION CHECKS, A
CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT AND MIDDLE
CLASS TAX CUTS.
THE OTHER BIG TICKET ITEM IN THE
BUDGET INCLUDE FUNDING FOR
UPDATING THE STATE'S FOUNDATION
AID FORMULA, THE CONTROVERSIAL
CELL PHONE BANS IN SCHOOLS AND
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS.
NOW ALL OF THIS WILL BE DONE
WITHOUT RAISING TAXES FOR NEW
(01:44):
YORKERS ACCORDING TO THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WE UNPACK
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GOVERNOR'S
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL AND
THE RECEPTION FROM STAKEHOLDERS.
HERE'S THAT STORY.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL UNVEILED
HER HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EXECUTIVE
BUDGET PROPOSAL THE STATE
CAPITOL ON TUESDAY WITH A LARGE
(02:06):
FOCUS ON AFFORDABILITY.
THE FISCAL YEAR '26 EXECUTIVE
BUDGET COMES OUT TO $252
BILLION, WHICH IS ABOUT 10
BILLION MORE THAN LAST YEAR'S
ENACTED BUDGET.
THE BUDGET PUTS AN EMPHASIS ON
PUTTING MONEY BACK INTO THE
POCKETS OF NEW YORKERS,
PROTECTING THEIR SAFETIES AND
PROTECTING THE OVERALL HEALTH OF
(02:28):
THE STATE.
ALL WITHOUT RAISING TAXES
ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE.
THE PROPOSAL COMES JUST ONE WEEK
AFTER HOCHUL'S STATE OF THE
STATE ADDRESS.
IN THAT MESSAGE, HOCHUL PROVIDED
A GLIMPSE INTO HER DREAMS OF
STATE FUNDING THIS YEAR, AND THE
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL PUTS
DOLLARS BEHIND THOSE DREAMS.
(02:49):
>> A BUDGET IS MUCH MORE THAN
NUMBERS.
IT TELLS A STORY OF WHO WE ARE,
WHAT WE VALUE, AND WHO WE'RE
FIGHTING FOR.
NEW YORK IS A COMPLEX STATE.
WE HAVE GREAT WEALTH AND GREAT
NEED, AND OUR CHALLENGE IS TO
FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE
(03:09):
SUCCESS THRIVES WHILE MAKING
THOSE WHO FEEL LEFT BEHIND SO
THEY CAN STILL SEE A PATH
FORWARD.
>> TO START OUT, GOVERNOR KATHY
HOCHUL SAID SHE WANTED TO HELP
NEW YORKERS FINANCIALLY GIVEN
THE RISING COST OF INFLATION.
THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES FUNDING
FOR INFLATION REFUND CHECKS,
(03:30):
MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS AND
EXPANDING THE CHILD TAX CREDIT.
IT ALSO INCLUDED FUNDING FOR
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS AND AN
EFFORT TO FULLY REPEAL THE
STATE'S AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTION
ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
>> THIS PUTS NEARLY $5,000 BACK
IN THE POCKETS OF MANY NEW YORK
(03:50):
FAMILIES.
THAT'S HOW YOU ANSWER DR. KING'S
QUESTION.
THAT'S HOW YOU MAKE A
DIFFERENCE.
>> NOT EVERYONE WAS A FAN OF THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.
AMONG CRITICS OF THE GOVERNOR'S
PLAN WERE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS.
AS A MEDIA BRIEFING WITH PRESS,
SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER ROB
ORTT BLASTED THE GOVERNOR AND
(04:12):
DEMOCRATS FOR WHAT THE
CONFERENCE CALLS UNNECESSARY AND
FRIVOLOUS SPENDING THROUGH THE
YEARS.
>> AND THIS NON SENSE ABOUT
AFFORDABILITY THAT WE CAN SPEND
OUR WAY TO AFFORDABILITY, I'M
SORRY, IT'S JUST NOT A PLAUSIBLE
POLICY SOLUTION.
WE NEED TO DO OTHER THINGS.
WE NEED TO CUT COSTS FOR NEW
YORKERS IN EVERY WAY WE CAN.
(04:33):
AND THIS BUDGET, FROM WHAT I CAN
TELL, IS NOT GOING TO DO THAT.
>> WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE WAY THE
GOVERNOR AND DEMOCRATS SHOULD BE
LOOKING AT AFFORDABILITY, ORTT
SAID THAT THEY SHOULD BE
CONSIDERING ACTION SOONER RATHER
THAN LATER TO MAXIMIZE
EFFECTIVENESS.
>> DON'T DO IT OVER TWO YEARS.
DO IT NOW.
PHASE IT IN IMMEDIATELY, BOLD,
BIGGER, IMMEDIATE.
(04:55):
GET A SHOCK FOR THESE FOLKS WHO
NEED REAL RELIEF OR AT LEAST THE
NOTION THAT THERE'S REAL RELIEF
COMING.
YOU KNOW, IF IT'S JUST THIS
LITTLE BIT, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT
IT AS BIG AS YOU WANT, BUT NO
ONE REALLY SEES THAT AND THAT'S
WHAT WE NEED.
WE'RE PASSED CUTTING AROUND THE
CORNERS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT
RETURNING PEOPLE'S MONEY TO
(05:17):
THEM.
>> AS PART OF HER EXECUTIVE
BUDGET, GOVERNOR HOCHUL PROPOSED
EXTENDING THE TOP TAX RATES ON
HIGH EARNERS IN NEW YORK STATE.
AT AN UNRELATED PRESS CONFERENCE
BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT, STATE
SENATE FINANCE CHAIR, LIZ
KRUEGER, AFFIRMED HER SUPPORT OF
THIS MEASURE.
>> YES. I ALSO SUPPORT THE
GOVERNOR IN NOT ALLOWING THAT
(05:38):
TAX FORMULA TO SUNSET.
I ACTUALLY THINK MOST PEOPLE WHO
ARE PAYING IT SORT OF KNEW IT
WASN'T GOING TO SUNSET ANYWAY.
SO THIS IS THE GOVERNOR
CONFIRMING WE'RE NOT PLANNING ON
SUNSETTING.
I SUSPECT ANY PROPOSALS FOR NEW
TAXES OR CHANGES IN TAX IS ALL A
PART OF A MIX OF WHAT HAPPENS IN
BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS IN ORDER TO
(05:59):
ACCOMPLISH THE MUCH BROADER
GOALS OF, DO WE HAVE ADEQUATE
REVENUE TO COVER THE CRITICAL
ISSUES FOR NEW YORKERS?
AND I'M GOING TO LEAP TO THE
ASSUMPTION THAT MY LEADER
DOESN'T THINK WE KNOW ANY OF
THAT YET.
>> AND THIS YEAR, GOVERNOR
HOCHUL PROPOSED FULLY FUNDING AN
UPDATED AID FORMULA.
>> WE WILL REPLACE A 20 YEAR OLD
(06:20):
POVERTY METRICS DATA WITH
CURRENT CENSUS DATA TO MORE
ACCURATELY DETERMINE STUDENT
NEED.
THIS WILL ENSURE THAT STATE
DOLLARS GO TO THE STUDENTS WHO
NEED THEM THE MOST.
>> ON HIGHER EDUCATION, THE
GOVERNOR PROPOSED $2 BILLION IN
NEW FUNDING FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS
AT BOTH SUNY AND CUNY.
(06:42):
THE GOVERNOR ALSO PROPOSED FREE
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR ADULTS
BETWEEN THE AGE OF 25 AND 55.
LAST YEAR'S STATE BUDGET SAW THE
GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE AT ODDS
OVER HOW TO ADDRESS THE
FINANCIAL ISSUES PLAGUING SUNY
DOWNSTATE IN NEW YORK CITY.
THIS YEAR, GOVERNOR HOCHUL
PLEDGED $100 MILLION TO SUPPORT
(07:04):
THE HOSPITAL, BRINGING THE TOTAL
INVESTMENT TO $200 MILLION.
A MOVE LARGELY PRAISED BY SUNY
CHANCELLOR JOHN KING IN AN
INTERVIEW WITH "NEW YORK NOW."
>> YOU KNOW, WHEN WE STARTED
THIS CONVERSATION A YEAR AGO,
DOWNSTATE WAS FACING $100
MILLION A YEAR ANNUAL DEFICIT,
WAS POISED TO RUN OUT OF CASH BY
(07:26):
SUMMER OF '24, AND HAD A
BUILDING IN TERRIBLE DISREPAIR
AND NO PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENTS.
WE SIT HERE TODAY IN A VASTLY
DIFFERENT POSITION BECAUSE OF
THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP.
>> THE CHANCELLOR ALSO WENT ON
TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR THE
CAPITOL INVESTMENT FOR SUNY IN
(07:46):
THE PLAN WHILE SAYING THERE
SHOULD BE ROOM TO OPEN THE
CONVERSATION ON EVEN MORE
FUNDING THE SUNY BOARD OF
TRUSTEE HAS PROPOSED A $10.7
BILLION CAPITOL PLAN OVER A FIVE
YEAR PERIOD.
>> LOOK, WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE
OF THE INVESTMENT THIS YEAR.
AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO
(08:07):
MAKE THE CASE THAT WHAT WE NEED
AS A STATE IS A FIVE YEAR
CAPITAL PLAN FOR SUNY.
>> THE GOVERNOR ALSO PROPOSED
BANNING CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS
A MEASURE THAT HAS BEEN AT THE
CENTER OF CONTROVERSIES OVER
SEVERAL MONTHS.
UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S $13.5
MILLION PROPOSAL, THE CELL PHONE
(08:28):
BAN WOULD APPLY DURING SCHOOL
HOURS AND WOULD BE LEFT UP TO
SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FIGURE OUT
ENFORCEMENT.
>> WE'RE NOT DEVELOPING THE
SKILLS WE NEED BECAUSE KIDS ARE
DISTRACTED WITH THE CELL PHONES
AND HOW HARD IT IS FOR OUR
TEACHERS TRYING TO TEACH
ALGEBRA, GEOGRAPHY.
AND THEY'RE COMPETING WITH VIRAL
(08:49):
DANCES AND MESSAGES FROM THEIR
FRIENDS AND SOMETIMES THREATS,
BULLYING.
HOW DO YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE
SUBJECT AT HAND WHEN THIS IS
GOING ON?
IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN WE WERE
YOUNGER.
>> WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE CELL
PHONE BAN AT AN UNRELATED PRESS
CONFERENCE, SENATE MAJORITY
LEADER ANDREA STEWART COUSINS
(09:09):
TOLD REPORTERS THERE WOULD BE A
ROBUST CONVERSATION BETWEEN
LEADERS REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL.
>> THERE ARE SOME SCHOOLS THAT
ARE ALREADY WORKING WITH
DIFFERENT SCENARIOS ABOUT THE
CELL PHONES AND HOW THEY ARE
STORED.
IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S BEING DONE.
(09:30):
I HAVE A YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
AND I HAVE A LOT OF KIDS WHO ARE
PRACTICING THAT.
I DON'T KNOW BUT I KNOW THIS
WILL BE A CONVERSATION WHETHER
OR NOT, IF WE WERE TO DO THIS,
WOULD THIS BE ENOUGH?
BUT I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THIS
NUMBER CAME FROM, YOU KNOW, THE
(09:51):
EXPERIENCE OF, WHAT MANY SCHOOLS
HAVE ALREADY DONE.
>> ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE, THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET IS
LARGELY FUNDED BY REVENUE WHICH
IS UP NEARLY 8% AND THE STATE
HAS ADEQUATE FUNDS IN RESERVES.
>> IMPORTANTLY WE HAVE
MAINTAINED RESERVES AT A
HISTORIC HIGHS OF MORE THAN $21
(10:11):
BILLION WE'RE INVESTING MORE IN
NEW YORKERS BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE
RESOURCES TO DO SO, AND WE'RE
DOING IT RESPONSIBLY.
>> WHILE THIS IS A POSITIVE,
GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUPS ARE
ENCOUNRAGING THE GOVERNOR AND
THE LEGISLATURE TO CONSIDER THE
OUT YEAR BUDGET CAPS OVER THE
(10:31):
NEXT FEW YEARS TO KEEP THE STATE
IN GOOD FINANCIAL STANDING.
>> RIGHT NOW THERE'S STILL THIS
GLUT OF CASH FROM THE ECONOMY
PERFORMING BETTER THAN EXPECTED
OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS,
ESPECIALLY.
SO THERE IS A LOT TO BE SPENT
RIGHT NOW.
BUT WHEN WE LOOK OVER A LONGER
TIME FRAME, THERE'S STILL MULTI
BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET GAPS AS
BIG AS $11 BILLION.
THE CONCERN IS REALLY ABOUT THE
(10:52):
DECISIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING NOW
WITH THE MONEY THAT IS AVAILABLE
AND WHAT LONG TERM IMPLICATIONS
AND FRANKLY THEY PUT THE
FINANCIAL PLAN IN A RISKIER
POSITION.
>> WITH THE RELEASE OF THE
GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE BUDGET, THE
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE
LEADERS WILL HEAD INTO
NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE NEXT
SEVERAL WEEKS.
THE HOPE IS TO COME TO AN
(11:12):
AGREEMENT TO MEET THE APRIL 1ST
DEADLINE TO START THE NEW FISCAL
YEAR.
AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL AND
NEGOTIATIONS AHEAD, YOU CAN
VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
NOW TURNING TO THE NATIONAL
HEADLINES.
AT THE TOP OF THE WEEK, THE
(11:34):
NATION SAW THE SECOND INAGUATION
OF DONALD TRUMP.
>> FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, OUR
COUNTRY WILL FLOURISH AND BE
RESPECTED AGAIN ALL OVER THE
WORLD.
WE WILL BE THE ENVY OF EVERY
NATION, AND WE WILL NOT ALLOW
OURSELVES TO BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE
OF ANY LONGER.
DURING EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE
(11:55):
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, I WILL
VERY SIMPLY PUT AMERICA FIRST.
>> AFTER THE INAUGURATION, THE
PRESIDENT HIT THE GROUND
RUNNING, SIGNING SEVERAL
EXECUTIVE ORDERS, SOME OF WHICH
DEALING WITH IMMIGRATION.
THE PRESIDENT HAS SIGNALED THAT
IMMIGRATION WILL BE ONE OF HIS
(12:16):
KEY PRIORITIES WHILE IN OFFICE.
TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER
OUTLAWING BIRTHRIGHT
CITIZENSHIP.
THIS MOVE LED TO OUTRAGE BY
ELECTED OFFICIALS AROUND THE
COUNTRY AND HERE IN NEW YORK.
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHEL AND
ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMES
BOTH RELEASED STATEMENTS
CONDEMNING THE MOVE BY THE
(12:36):
PRESIDENT.
NEW YORK IS ONE OF 22 STATES
ATTEMPTING TO BLOCK THE MEASURE,
AND ON THURSDAY, A FEDERAL JUDGE
ISSUED AN ORDER TO TENTATIVELY
BLOCK THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE
ORDER.
GIVEN ALL OF THESE RECENT
EVENTS, WE WANTED TO TAKE A LOOK
AT THE STATE'S APPROACH TO
IMMIGRATION REFORM UNDER THE NEW
(12:56):
FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION.
HERE'S THAT STORY FROM OUR ELISE
KLEIN.
>> ANOTHER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
TAKING ON THE WHITE HOUSE HAS
LEFT MANY INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES IN NEW YORK FEELING
ANXIOUS.
TRUMP'S PLANS TO INSTIGATE MASS
DEPORTATIONS HAVE LEFT LAWMAKERS
WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY TO PASS
STATE IMMIGRATION REFORM POLICY.
(13:16):
IN AN IMMIGRATION REFORM PACKAGE
OF BILLS LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING
FOR THIS SESSION INCLUDING THE
NEW YORK FOR ALL ACT, THE
CLEMENCY ACT, THE LANGUAGE
ACCESS EXPANSION ACT, THE
DIGNITY NOT DETENTION ACT, AND
THE ACCESS TO LEGAL
REPRESENTATION ACT.
THESE BILLS WOULD PROHIBIT THE
DISCOVERY AND DISCLOSURE OF
IMMIGRATION STATUS VIA STATE AND
LOCAL RESOURCES, MAKE
IMPROVEMENTS TO CLEMENCY
APPLICATIONS, AND ESTABLISH THE
(13:37):
RIGHT TO LEGAL COUNSEL IN
IMMIGRATION COURT.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER JESSICA GONZALEZ
ROJAS, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING
QUEENS, SAYS THESE BILLS ARE
IMPORTANT TO PASS BECAUSE WE ARE
FACING A CRITICAL TIME WHERE NEW
YORK IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ARE
DEEPLY VULNERABLE.
>> NEW YORK MUST STAND UP FOR
IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS.
WE MAKE UP OVER FOUR AND A HALF
MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE.
WE CONTRIBUTE GREATLY TO ITS
(13:58):
ECONOMY.
WE MAKE UP A MAJORITY OF THE
ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN THE STATE,
WE HAVE OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.
I'M THE DAUGHTER OF AN IMMIGRANT
SO IT'S VERY PERSONAL TO ME AND
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE
PROTECTING THOSE WHO HAVE COME
TO NEW YORK TO BUILD A BETTER
LIFE.
>> ADVOCATE MARYAM KHALDI WITH
THE ARAB AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF
NEW YORK SAYS IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES ARE TERRIFIED.
>> THE CONSTANT THREAT OF RAIDS
(14:19):
HAS BEEN NONSTOP ON OUR
COMMUNITIES AND IT HAS GOTTEN TO
A POINT WHERE WE ARE RECEIVING
WORD FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
CLIENTS WHO HAVE IMMEDIATELY
STOPPED WORKING, THEY STOPPED
ATTENDING SCHOOL, THEY ARE
SCARED TO LIVE THEIR DAY TO DAY
LIVES GO GROCERY SHOPPING
BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID OF BEING
STOPPED BY LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
>> GONZALEZ ROJAS STRESSES THAT
PREVENTING STATE AND LOCAL
OFFICIALS FROM QUESTIONING
INDIVIDUALS ABOUT THEIR
IMMIGRATION STATUS THROUGH THE
(14:39):
NEW YORK FOR ALL ACT WOULD
IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
>> IT ALSO MEANS THAT IMMIGRANTS
IF THEY ARE VICTIMS OF A CRIME
THAT THEY'RE NOT FEARFUL OF
CALLING THE AUTHORITIES TO
REPORT A CRIME, IT ACTUALLY
KEEPS OUR WHOLE COMMUNITIES
SAFE.
>> HOWEVER, SOME REPUBLICANS
ACROSS THE AISLE ARGUE THE
LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE MORE
WORRIED ABOUT NEW YORKERS.
STATE SENATOR STEVE CHAN,
(15:00):
REPRESENTING BROOKLYN, RAISES
CONCERNS OF IMMIGRANTS WHO
COMMIT CRIMES BEING PROTECTED.
>> WE HAVE ENOUGH CRIMINALS
HERE, WE HAVE ENOUGH MURDERERS
AND RAPISTS.
WE DON'T NEED TO IMPORT SOME
MORE.
WE DON'T NEED TO HARBOR THEM AND
PROTECT THEM.
LET'S GET THEM OUT OF HERE.
>> CHAN SAYS WHEN HE WORKED AS A
POLICE OFFICER VICTIMS OF CRIMES
WHO DIDN'T HAVE CITIZENSHIP WERE
TREATED WITH KINDNESS.
HE ADDED IF AN INDIVIDUAL
(15:20):
WITHOUT CITIZENSHIP COMMITS A
CRIME THEN THEY SHOULD BE TURNED
OVER TO ICE.
OTHER REPUBLICANS, LIKE SENATOR
MARK WALCZYK, WHO REPRESENTS
WATERTOWN, FEAR THIS BILL SKIRTS
AROUND FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS.
>> I THINK TO THE DEMOCRATS THAT
ARE SAYING WE NEED TO TRUMP
PROOF NEW YORK AND NOT COMPLY
WITH FEDERAL LAW, I THINK
THERE'S GOING TO BE BIG
PROBLEMS.
I THINK WE NEED TO DO OUR JOB AS
(15:42):
NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATORS.
>> SENATOR JESSICA RAMOS, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING QUEENS,
ARGUES THIS BILL ISN'T ABOUT
CHANGING PROCEDURES THAT ALREADY
TAKE PLACE SUCH AS LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT COOPERATING WITH ICE
WHEN NECESSARY IT'S ABOUT GIVING
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES A CHANCE
FOR DUE PROCESS.
>> PERHAPS THIS IS WHERE THERE'S
THE DISCONNECT.
WE BELIEVE IN UPHOLDING A HUMAN
(16:03):
BEING'S RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS AND
WE DON'T WANT FAMILIES TO BE
SEPARATED PURELY ON ACCUSATIONS.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
THERE'S A FAIR TRIAL, WE WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S A
PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE BEFORE
THOSE EXTREME ACTIONS TAKE
PLACE.
>> SOME ADVOCATES SAY OTHER
BILLS WITHIN THE PACKAGE SUCH AS
(16:24):
THE DIGNITY NOT DETENTION ACT
WOULD HELP END NEW YORK'S
PARTICIPATION WITH ICE DETENTION
CENTERS.
UCHECHUKWU ONWA, WHO IMMIGRATED
TO THE UNITED STATES IN 2017
FROM NIGERIA, SAYS THE
CONDITIONS HE FACED IN DETENTION
CENTERS WERE INHUMANE.
>> REMEMBERING WHEN I WAS SICK
INSIDE DETENTION.
I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH
CHAINS ALL OVER MY BODY, MY
(16:44):
HANDS, MY LEGS, EVEN WHEN I WAS
IN A HOSPITAL BED.
>> FOR SOME ADVOCATES POLICIES
LIKE THE CLEMENCY ACT COULD HELP
THEM AVOID DEPORTATION AND
PROVIDE MORE TRANSPARENCY AROUND
THE APPLICATION PROCESS BY
ESTABLISHING EFFICIENCY CHANGES
TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
PASCAL CHARPENTIER, WHO GOES BY
SHAKOURE, IS A QUEENS RESIDENT,
WHO SAYS THE CLEMENCY ACT WOULD
HELP HIM AVOID BEING SENT BACK
(17:05):
TO HAITIA COUNTRY HE HAS NEVER
BEEN TO.
DURING THE SUMMER OF 2020, ICE
OFFICIALS CAME TO CHARPENTIER'S
HOME IN QUEENS AND ARRESTED HIM.
HE THEN SPENT ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS
IN A DETENTION CENTER.
>> I ENDED UP BEING DETAINED FOR
SEVEN MONTHS, THE MOST HORRIBLE
SEVEN MONTHS OF MY ENTIRE LIFE.
(17:29):
IT WAS AN EXTREMELY DEPRESSING
AND REALLY HARSH EMOTIONAL
PERIOD FOR MY FAMILY AND MYSELF.
>> CHARPENTIER SAYS HE WAS BORN
ON A MILITARY BASE IN GERMANY
BEFORE HIS FAMILY MOVED TO THE
UNITED STATES IN 1972.
ICE CLAIMS CHARPENTIER WAS BORN
IN HAITI, WHERE HIS PARENTS ARE
(17:49):
FROM, AND IS A HAITIAN NATIONAL.
NANCY MORAWETZ, CHARPENTIER'S
LAWYER AND A LAW PROFESSOR AT
NYU, SAYS THERE ARE MANY REASONS
WHY HIS CASE IS UNFAIR TO HIM.
ONE OF THEM BEING THEY HAVE
SHOWN IMMIGRATION COURT EVIDENCE
VIA MEDICAL RECORDS AND A BIRTH
CERTIFICATE, THAT HE WAS BORN ON
U.S. SOIL ON A MILITARY BASE IN
GERMANY NOT IN HAITI.
>> IT'S JUST A MISTAKE BUT NOW
(18:10):
THEY'RE CHANGING THEIR ARGUMENT.
NOW THEY SAY 'OH, WELL HE WAS
BORN OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
SO HE HAS TO PROVE HE'S A U.S.
CITIZEN.'
THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY, WE THINK
THAT'S WRONG.
>> MORAWETZ ARGUES THAT PUTTING
THE BURDEN ON CHARPENTIER TO
ADDITIONALLY PROVE HIS
CITIZENSHIP BEYOND THE BIRTH
CERTIFICATE AND HOSPITAL RECORDS
IS ILLEGAL.
TO TRY AND STAY IN NEW YORK WITH
(18:31):
HIS FAMILY, CHARPENTIER APPLIED
FOR CLEMENCY, WHICH MEANS IF THE
GOVERNOR GRANTS HIM A PARDON HE
CAN STAY IN NEW YORK WITH HIS
FIANCE AND HIS TEENAGE DAUGHTER.
>> I HAVE AN ORDER OF
DEPORTATION THAT IS CURRENTLY
PENDING ON APPEAL.
AND THAT CAN TAKE YEARS, NOW
WITH WHAT THE NEW INCOMING
ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY
(18:51):
PROMISED, IT'S NOT FAR FETCHED
TO ANTICIPATE A VAN IN FRONT OF
MY HOUSE WITH ICE AGENTS COMING
INTO MY HOME AGAIN, HANDCUFFING
ME, PUTTING ME IN CHAINS AND
SHACKLES, AND TRANSPORTING ME
DOWNTOWN.
>> CHARPENTIER ADDS THIS IDEA OF
(19:12):
BEING SENT BACK TO AN ICE
DETENTION CENTER IS SOMETHING
THAT HAS BEEN CAUSING HIM AND
HIS FAMILY A LOT OF ANXIETY AND
STRESS.
MORAWETZ STRESSES DETENTION
CENTERS IN A WAY ARE UNDERMINING
WHEN IT COMES TO DUE PROCESS IN
IMMIGRATION COURT, ESPECIALLY
WHEN THERE ARE MANY BARRIERS
FACING INDIVIDUALS WHO TRY TO
PROVE THEIR RIGHT TO STAY IN THE
U.S.
>> BUT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE
COUNSEL IF YOU DO NOT HAVE
(19:32):
ACCESS TO YOUR DOCUMENTS, IF YOU
DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO PEOPLE WHO
CAN HELP YOU FROM YOUR FAMILY OR
OTHER PEOPLE, THEN YOU CAN'T
ASSERT YOUR RIGHTS TO REMAIN.
AND SO DETENTION COMPLETELY
UNDERMINES DUE PROCESS, AND
THAT'S I THINK THE BIGGEST
THREAT WE SEE THE INCOMING TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION PLANNING TO
(19:53):
GREATLY EXPAND DETENTION.
>> CHARPENTIER'S CASE CAME TO
ICE'S ATTENTION BECAUSE HE WAS
CONVICTED OF FELONY MURDER FOR
BEING A LOOKOUT IN A 1990
MUGGING THAT RESULTED IN THE
DEATH OF A UTAH RESIDENT
VISITING NEW YORK CITY.
CHARPENTIER SAYS HE HAD NO IDEA
THERE WOULD BE ANY VIOLENCE.
HOWEVER, IN NEW YORK LAW, IF AN
INDIVIDUAL IS INVOLVED IN A
CRIME THAT RESULTS IN A DEATH
THEY ARE HELD EQUALLY
(20:13):
RESPONSIBLE.
HE WAS SENTENCED WITH SIX OTHER
INDIVIDUALS AT THE TIME.
CHARPENTIER SERVED HIS TIME AND
WAS RELEASED IN 2015.
HIS IMMIGRATION CASE WENT TO THE
COURTS IN 2020.
HE LOST HIS CASE AND HIS LAWYERS
THEN FILED FOR AN APPEAL IN
2023.
MORAWETZ SAYS EVEN THOUGH
CHARPENTIER HAD FINISHED HIS
SENTENCE AND HIS PAROLE BY THE
TIME ICE OFFICIALS DETAINED HIM
AND HIS DEPORTATION CASE WAS
BROUGHT TO THE COURTS, IT DIDN'T
(20:35):
MATTER BECAUSE IMMIGRATION LAWS
DON'T HAVE A STATUTE OF
LIMITATIONS.
>> THAT'S ANOTHER REASON THAT
IMMIGRATION LAW IS PARTICULARLY
CRUEL AND UNPREDICTABLE AND
ANOTHER REASON WHY THE POWERS OF
THE GOVERNOR BECOME VERY
IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF CLEMENCY.
>> IF CHARPENTIER IS GRANTED
CLEMENCY HOWEVER, HE WON'T HAVE
(20:55):
TO WORRY ABOUT FIGHTING IN
COURT.
STATE SENATOR ZELLNOR MYRIE, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
QUEENS, SAYS THE CLEMENCY ACT IS
AN ATTEMPT TO ENSURE THAT THE
COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES OF BEING
INVOLVED IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
DON'T MANIFEST THEMSELVES IN THE
WORST WAYS.
>> LOOK, I THINK WE ARE IN A
POLITICAL CLIMATE THAT HAS NOT
FOCUSED ON THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS
PROBLEM BUT IT MANY INSTANCES
(21:17):
HAS POLITICIZED THIS PROBLEM.
>> MYRIE ADDS THIS IS AN
ENORMOUS POWER THE GOVERNOR HAS
AND THERE SHOULD BE AS MUCH
TRANSPARENCY AS POSSIBLE.
TWO OTHER BILLS IN THE
LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE INTEND TO
PROVIDE LEGAL COUNSEL TO
INDIVIDUALS FIGHTING IN
IMMIGRATION COURT AND EXPAND
LANGUAGE ACCESS FOR CERTAIN
DOCUMENTS.
THE ACCESS TO LEGAL
REPRESENTATION ACT WOULD AMEND
STATE LAW ESTABLISHING THE RIGHT
TO UNIVERSAL REPRESENTATION,
(21:38):
MEANING ANYONE FACING THE RISK
OF DEPORTATION WHO CANNOT AFFORD
A LAWYER WILL BE PROVIDED ONE.
MORAWETZ SAYS MANY INDIVIDUALS
COULD GREATLY BENEFIT FROM LEGAL
COUNSEL IN IMMIGRATION COURT.
>> IMMIGRATION LAW HAS BEEN MANY
TIMES LIKENED TO THE TAX CODE IN
TERMS OF ITS COMPLEXITY.
IT'S VERY VERY COMPLICATED AND
THE IDEA THAT SOMEBODY CAN
NAVIGATE THAT ON THEIR OWN IS
(22:00):
REALLY A FALLACY AND THEN OF
COURSE NAVIGATING ON YOUR OWN
WHEN YOU'RE IN DETENTION IS EVEN
MORE IMPOSSIBLE.
>> FOR SOME ADVOCATES THE
LANGUAGE ACCESS EXPANSION ACT
WOULD GREATLY IMPROVE THEIR
QUALITY OF LIFE.
SABIHA OBAID, AN IMMIGRANT
RIGHTS ADVOCATE, SAYS LANGUAGE
ACCESS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN
A PART OF HER STORY FOR A LONG
TIME.
(22:21):
>> I'M THE CHILD OF IMMIGRANTS.
BOTH OF MY PARENTS IMMIGRATED
FROM BANGLADESH.
MY MOM IMMIGRATED FIRST WITH HER
FAMILY IN THE LATE '90S AND FOR
MOST OF MY EARLY CHILDHOOD, MY
FATHER WAS STILL AWAITING HIS
VISA APPROVAL SO A LOT OF THE
RESPONSIBILITIES FELL ON MY
MOTHER.
AND I WOULD WATCH HER STRUGGLE
WITH SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORMS,
WITH DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS, WITH
(22:41):
THE VERY LITTLE ENGLISH THAT SHE
KNEW.
AND AS I GREW OLDER, I USED TO
TAKE ON THAT RESPONSIBILITY
WHERE I WOULD TRANSLATE FOR THE
FAMILY AND INTERPRET FOR THEM.
>> THE LANGUAGE ACCESS EXPANSION
ACT WOULD REQUIRE TRANSLATED
VITAL DOCUMENTS ACROSS VARIOUS
STATE AGENCIES.
OBAID SAYS WATCHING HER FAMILY
STRUGGLE HAS FUELED HER PASSION
TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS
LEGISLATION.
SHE SAYS NOW THAT SHE'S AN ADULT
(23:03):
WITH A FULL TIME JOB SHE CAN'T
ACCOMPANY HER PARENTS TO EVERY
APPOINTMENT TO HELP TRANSLATE.
THIS BILL PASSING MEANS SHE
COULD WORRY LESS ABOUT THEIR
WELL BEING.
AND OBAID ISN'T ALONE, WHILE THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAS ONLY
JUST BEGUN MANY ADVOCATES AND
LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN RALLYING ON
THE STATE CAPITOL STEPS FOR
THESE IMMIGRATION REFORM
POLICIES.
MANY DEMOCRATS SEEM TO BE
DETERMINED TO PASS THESE BILLS
(23:23):
DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
WHILE REPUBLICANS SEEM UNSURE OR
OUTRIGHT OPPOSED.
SENATOR CHAN SAYS, FOR EXAMPLE,
THE ACCESS TO LEGAL
REPRESENTATION ACT, HE WANTS TO
REVIEW IN MORE DETAIL.
>> WHY WE HAVE TO WASTE ALL OF
OUR RESOURCES IN THIS ASPECT.
BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY HELP
CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS ON A CASE BY
CASE BASIS, NOT EVERY IMMIGRANT
(23:43):
IS THE SAME.
>> SENATOR GEORGE BORRELLO, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
THE FINGER LAKES, STRESSES STATE
LAWMAKER'S NUMBER ONE JOB SHOULD
BE TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS.
>> ALL OF THESE PIECES OF
LEGISLATION ARE THERE TO PUT
BARRIERS IN FRONT OF THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION DEPORTING PEOPLE
WHO HAVE COMMITTED HEINOUS
CRIMES AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF NEW
YORK STATE.
I DON'T SEE ANY SUPPORT FOR THAT
AND I WOULD HOPE THAT MY
(24:04):
COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF
THE AISLE WOULD ALSO UNDERSTAND
THAT THEIR NUMBER ONE JOB IS TO
PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK
STATE.
>> SOME DEMOCRATS ARGUE THEIR
REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE
AISLE ARE COMPLETELY OFF THE
MARK WHEN IT COMES TO ARGUING
AGAINST THESE IMMIGRATION REFORM
POLICIES.
STATE SENATOR JABARI BRISPORT, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING BROOKLYN,
SAYS FROM DAY ONE OF SESSION
THIS YEAR REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIED
TO MAKE IMMIGRANTS THE ENEMY.
(24:25):
>> THEY WANTED TO USE THEM AS A
FOIL TO PUSH THEIR FAR RIGHT
WING AGENDA.
I DON'T SEE ANY CONVERSATIONS
BEING FRUITFUL WITH THE MINORITY
ON IMMIGRATION THIS YEAR.
>> HOWEVER, DESPITE THE
CONTROVERSY THEY CARRY IN THE
CHAMBER, THESE BILLS SEEM TO
HAVE WIDE SUPPORT.
WHILE THE BILLS DIDN'T MAKE IT
ACROSS THE FINISH LINE LAST
SESSION, BRISPORT SAYS THIS YEAR
(24:45):
IF THEY HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL
THEN THEY WILL MAKE IT TO THE
FLOOR AND PASS.
HE SAYS LAST YEAR THAT POLITICAL
PRESSURE WAS SIMPLY LACKING.
>> WE DID NOT BUILD ENOUGH
POLITICAL PRESSURE.
WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR GOOD THINGS
IN GOVERNMENT OR ELSE THEY DON'T
HAPPEN.
NOTHING HAPPENS BY CHANCE.
WE NEED TO ORGANIZE AND WE NEED
TO FIGHT FOR THEM.
>> A FIGHT IS EXACTLY WHAT MANY
(25:06):
LAWMAKERS PLAN ON BRINGING TO
THE CHAMBER FOR THIS PACKAGE OF
IMMIGRATION REFORM BILLS.
SOME LAWMAKERS SAY ANOTHER TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION TAKING PLACE
COULD VERY WELL BUILD THE
POLITICAL PRESSURE NEEDED TO GET
THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION
ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.
ELISE KLINE, NEW YORK NOW.
>> AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON
(25:26):
THE STATE'S APPROACH TO
IMMIGRATION REFORM THIS YEAR
UNDER THE NEW FEDERAL
ADMINISTRATION, YOU CAN VISIT
OUR WEBSITE, AGAIN, THAT'S AT
NYNOW.ORG.
YOU CAN ALSO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR
NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
BY GOING TO NEWSLETTER.NYNOW.ORG
OR BY SCANNING THE QR CODE ON
(25:47):
YOUR SCREEN.
WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.
[MUSIC]
(26:35):
>> FUNDING FOR NEW YORK NOW IS
PROVIDED BY WNET.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
(00:21):
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.
THIS WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL,
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL UNVEILED
HER FISCAL YEAR '26 EXECUTIVE
BUDGET PROPOSAL.
NOW THE PROPOSAL COMES OUT TO
ABOUT $252 BILLION AND PLACES A
BIG EMPHASIS ON AFFORDABILITY.
>> MANY FAMILIES DO CONTINUE TO
(00:41):
STRUGGLE.
NATIONWIDE INFLATION, THE RISING
COST OF THE GROCERY STORE, EVERY
MONTH, WORKING NEW YORKERS
HAVING TO FACE DIFFICULT,
DIFFICULT CHOICES AND HOW TO
STRETCH ALL THEIR DOLLARS.
THAT'S WHY THIS BUDGET IS LASER
FOCUSED ON PUTTING MONEY BACK IN
NEW YORKER'S POCKETS.
THIS WILL BE A $252 BILLION
(01:02):
BUDGET FUNDED BY REVENUE THAT IS
UP NEARLY 8%.
IMPORTANTLY, WE MAINTAIN OUR
RESERVE OF HISTORIC HIGHS OF
MORE THAN $21 BILLION.
>> SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE
BUDGET INCLUDE MONEY FOR
FAMILIES.
THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT SHE WANTS
TO PUT MONEY BACK INTO THE
POCKETS OF NEW YORKERS BY WAY OF
(01:23):
INFLATION REDUCTION CHECKS, A
CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT AND MIDDLE
CLASS TAX CUTS.
THE OTHER BIG TICKET ITEM IN THE
BUDGET INCLUDE FUNDING FOR
UPDATING THE STATE'S FOUNDATION
AID FORMULA, THE CONTROVERSIAL
CELL PHONE BANS IN SCHOOLS AND
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS.
NOW ALL OF THIS WILL BE DONE
WITHOUT RAISING TAXES FOR NEW
(01:44):
YORKERS ACCORDING TO THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WE UNPACK
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GOVERNOR'S
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL AND
THE RECEPTION FROM STAKEHOLDERS.
HERE'S THAT STORY.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL UNVEILED
HER HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EXECUTIVE
BUDGET PROPOSAL THE STATE
CAPITOL ON TUESDAY WITH A LARGE
(02:06):
FOCUS ON AFFORDABILITY.
THE FISCAL YEAR '26 EXECUTIVE
BUDGET COMES OUT TO $252
BILLION, WHICH IS ABOUT 10
BILLION MORE THAN LAST YEAR'S
ENACTED BUDGET.
THE BUDGET PUTS AN EMPHASIS ON
PUTTING MONEY BACK INTO THE
POCKETS OF NEW YORKERS,
PROTECTING THEIR SAFETIES AND
PROTECTING THE OVERALL HEALTH OF
(02:28):
THE STATE.
ALL WITHOUT RAISING TAXES
ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE.
THE PROPOSAL COMES JUST ONE WEEK
AFTER HOCHUL'S STATE OF THE
STATE ADDRESS.
IN THAT MESSAGE, HOCHUL PROVIDED
A GLIMPSE INTO HER DREAMS OF
STATE FUNDING THIS YEAR, AND THE
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL PUTS
DOLLARS BEHIND THOSE DREAMS.
(02:49):
>> A BUDGET IS MUCH MORE THAN
NUMBERS.
IT TELLS A STORY OF WHO WE ARE,
WHAT WE VALUE, AND WHO WE'RE
FIGHTING FOR.
NEW YORK IS A COMPLEX STATE.
WE HAVE GREAT WEALTH AND GREAT
NEED, AND OUR CHALLENGE IS TO
FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE
(03:09):
SUCCESS THRIVES WHILE MAKING
THOSE WHO FEEL LEFT BEHIND SO
THEY CAN STILL SEE A PATH
FORWARD.
>> TO START OUT, GOVERNOR KATHY
HOCHUL SAID SHE WANTED TO HELP
NEW YORKERS FINANCIALLY GIVEN
THE RISING COST OF INFLATION.
THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES FUNDING
FOR INFLATION REFUND CHECKS,
(03:30):
MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS AND
EXPANDING THE CHILD TAX CREDIT.
IT ALSO INCLUDED FUNDING FOR
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS AND AN
EFFORT TO FULLY REPEAL THE
STATE'S AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTION
ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
>> THIS PUTS NEARLY $5,000 BACK
IN THE POCKETS OF MANY NEW YORK
(03:50):
FAMILIES.
THAT'S HOW YOU ANSWER DR. KING'S
QUESTION.
THAT'S HOW YOU MAKE A
DIFFERENCE.
>> NOT EVERYONE WAS A FAN OF THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.
AMONG CRITICS OF THE GOVERNOR'S
PLAN WERE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS.
AS A MEDIA BRIEFING WITH PRESS,
SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER ROB
ORTT BLASTED THE GOVERNOR AND
(04:12):
DEMOCRATS FOR WHAT THE
CONFERENCE CALLS UNNECESSARY AND
FRIVOLOUS SPENDING THROUGH THE
YEARS.
>> AND THIS NON SENSE ABOUT
AFFORDABILITY THAT WE CAN SPEND
OUR WAY TO AFFORDABILITY, I'M
SORRY, IT'S JUST NOT A PLAUSIBLE
POLICY SOLUTION.
WE NEED TO DO OTHER THINGS.
WE NEED TO CUT COSTS FOR NEW
YORKERS IN EVERY WAY WE CAN.
(04:33):
AND THIS BUDGET, FROM WHAT I CAN
TELL, IS NOT GOING TO DO THAT.
>> WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE WAY THE
GOVERNOR AND DEMOCRATS SHOULD BE
LOOKING AT AFFORDABILITY, ORTT
SAID THAT THEY SHOULD BE
CONSIDERING ACTION SOONER RATHER
THAN LATER TO MAXIMIZE
EFFECTIVENESS.
>> DON'T DO IT OVER TWO YEARS.
DO IT NOW.
PHASE IT IN IMMEDIATELY, BOLD,
BIGGER, IMMEDIATE.
(04:55):
GET A SHOCK FOR THESE FOLKS WHO
NEED REAL RELIEF OR AT LEAST THE
NOTION THAT THERE'S REAL RELIEF
COMING.
YOU KNOW, IF IT'S JUST THIS
LITTLE BIT, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT
IT AS BIG AS YOU WANT, BUT NO
ONE REALLY SEES THAT AND THAT'S
WHAT WE NEED.
WE'RE PASSED CUTTING AROUND THE
CORNERS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT
RETURNING PEOPLE'S MONEY TO
(05:17):
THEM.
>> AS PART OF HER EXECUTIVE
BUDGET, GOVERNOR HOCHUL PROPOSED
EXTENDING THE TOP TAX RATES ON
HIGH EARNERS IN NEW YORK STATE.
AT AN UNRELATED PRESS CONFERENCE
BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT, STATE
SENATE FINANCE CHAIR, LIZ
KRUEGER, AFFIRMED HER SUPPORT OF
THIS MEASURE.
>> YES. I ALSO SUPPORT THE
GOVERNOR IN NOT ALLOWING THAT
(05:38):
TAX FORMULA TO SUNSET.
I ACTUALLY THINK MOST PEOPLE WHO
ARE PAYING IT SORT OF KNEW IT
WASN'T GOING TO SUNSET ANYWAY.
SO THIS IS THE GOVERNOR
CONFIRMING WE'RE NOT PLANNING ON
SUNSETTING.
I SUSPECT ANY PROPOSALS FOR NEW
TAXES OR CHANGES IN TAX IS ALL A
PART OF A MIX OF WHAT HAPPENS IN
BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS IN ORDER TO
(05:59):
ACCOMPLISH THE MUCH BROADER
GOALS OF, DO WE HAVE ADEQUATE
REVENUE TO COVER THE CRITICAL
ISSUES FOR NEW YORKERS?
AND I'M GOING TO LEAP TO THE
ASSUMPTION THAT MY LEADER
DOESN'T THINK WE KNOW ANY OF
THAT YET.
>> AND THIS YEAR, GOVERNOR
HOCHUL PROPOSED FULLY FUNDING AN
UPDATED AID FORMULA.
>> WE WILL REPLACE A 20 YEAR OLD
(06:20):
POVERTY METRICS DATA WITH
CURRENT CENSUS DATA TO MORE
ACCURATELY DETERMINE STUDENT
NEED.
THIS WILL ENSURE THAT STATE
DOLLARS GO TO THE STUDENTS WHO
NEED THEM THE MOST.
>> ON HIGHER EDUCATION, THE
GOVERNOR PROPOSED $2 BILLION IN
NEW FUNDING FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS
AT BOTH SUNY AND CUNY.
(06:42):
THE GOVERNOR ALSO PROPOSED FREE
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR ADULTS
BETWEEN THE AGE OF 25 AND 55.
LAST YEAR'S STATE BUDGET SAW THE
GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE AT ODDS
OVER HOW TO ADDRESS THE
FINANCIAL ISSUES PLAGUING SUNY
DOWNSTATE IN NEW YORK CITY.
THIS YEAR, GOVERNOR HOCHUL
PLEDGED $100 MILLION TO SUPPORT
(07:04):
THE HOSPITAL, BRINGING THE TOTAL
INVESTMENT TO $200 MILLION.
A MOVE LARGELY PRAISED BY SUNY
CHANCELLOR JOHN KING IN AN
INTERVIEW WITH "NEW YORK NOW."
>> YOU KNOW, WHEN WE STARTED
THIS CONVERSATION A YEAR AGO,
DOWNSTATE WAS FACING $100
MILLION A YEAR ANNUAL DEFICIT,
WAS POISED TO RUN OUT OF CASH BY
(07:26):
SUMMER OF '24, AND HAD A
BUILDING IN TERRIBLE DISREPAIR
AND NO PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENTS.
WE SIT HERE TODAY IN A VASTLY
DIFFERENT POSITION BECAUSE OF
THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP.
>> THE CHANCELLOR ALSO WENT ON
TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR THE
CAPITOL INVESTMENT FOR SUNY IN
(07:46):
THE PLAN WHILE SAYING THERE
SHOULD BE ROOM TO OPEN THE
CONVERSATION ON EVEN MORE
FUNDING THE SUNY BOARD OF
TRUSTEE HAS PROPOSED A $10.7
BILLION CAPITOL PLAN OVER A FIVE
YEAR PERIOD.
>> LOOK, WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE
OF THE INVESTMENT THIS YEAR.
AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO
(08:07):
MAKE THE CASE THAT WHAT WE NEED
AS A STATE IS A FIVE YEAR
CAPITAL PLAN FOR SUNY.
>> THE GOVERNOR ALSO PROPOSED
BANNING CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS
A MEASURE THAT HAS BEEN AT THE
CENTER OF CONTROVERSIES OVER
SEVERAL MONTHS.
UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S $13.5
MILLION PROPOSAL, THE CELL PHONE
(08:28):
BAN WOULD APPLY DURING SCHOOL
HOURS AND WOULD BE LEFT UP TO
SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FIGURE OUT
ENFORCEMENT.
>> WE'RE NOT DEVELOPING THE
SKILLS WE NEED BECAUSE KIDS ARE
DISTRACTED WITH THE CELL PHONES
AND HOW HARD IT IS FOR OUR
TEACHERS TRYING TO TEACH
ALGEBRA, GEOGRAPHY.
AND THEY'RE COMPETING WITH VIRAL
(08:49):
DANCES AND MESSAGES FROM THEIR
FRIENDS AND SOMETIMES THREATS,
BULLYING.
HOW DO YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE
SUBJECT AT HAND WHEN THIS IS
GOING ON?
IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN WE WERE
YOUNGER.
>> WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE CELL
PHONE BAN AT AN UNRELATED PRESS
CONFERENCE, SENATE MAJORITY
LEADER ANDREA STEWART COUSINS
(09:09):
TOLD REPORTERS THERE WOULD BE A
ROBUST CONVERSATION BETWEEN
LEADERS REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL.
>> THERE ARE SOME SCHOOLS THAT
ARE ALREADY WORKING WITH
DIFFERENT SCENARIOS ABOUT THE
CELL PHONES AND HOW THEY ARE
STORED.
IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S BEING DONE.
(09:30):
I HAVE A YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
AND I HAVE A LOT OF KIDS WHO ARE
PRACTICING THAT.
I DON'T KNOW BUT I KNOW THIS
WILL BE A CONVERSATION WHETHER
OR NOT, IF WE WERE TO DO THIS,
WOULD THIS BE ENOUGH?
BUT I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THIS
NUMBER CAME FROM, YOU KNOW, THE
(09:51):
EXPERIENCE OF, WHAT MANY SCHOOLS
HAVE ALREADY DONE.
>> ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE, THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET IS
LARGELY FUNDED BY REVENUE WHICH
IS UP NEARLY 8% AND THE STATE
HAS ADEQUATE FUNDS IN RESERVES.
>> IMPORTANTLY WE HAVE
MAINTAINED RESERVES AT A
HISTORIC HIGHS OF MORE THAN $21
(10:11):
BILLION WE'RE INVESTING MORE IN
NEW YORKERS BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE
RESOURCES TO DO SO, AND WE'RE
DOING IT RESPONSIBLY.
>> WHILE THIS IS A POSITIVE,
GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUPS ARE
ENCOUNRAGING THE GOVERNOR AND
THE LEGISLATURE TO CONSIDER THE
OUT YEAR BUDGET CAPS OVER THE
(10:31):
NEXT FEW YEARS TO KEEP THE STATE
IN GOOD FINANCIAL STANDING.
>> RIGHT NOW THERE'S STILL THIS
GLUT OF CASH FROM THE ECONOMY
PERFORMING BETTER THAN EXPECTED
OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS,
ESPECIALLY.
SO THERE IS A LOT TO BE SPENT
RIGHT NOW.
BUT WHEN WE LOOK OVER A LONGER
TIME FRAME, THERE'S STILL MULTI
BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET GAPS AS
BIG AS $11 BILLION.
THE CONCERN IS REALLY ABOUT THE
(10:52):
DECISIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING NOW
WITH THE MONEY THAT IS AVAILABLE
AND WHAT LONG TERM IMPLICATIONS
AND FRANKLY THEY PUT THE
FINANCIAL PLAN IN A RISKIER
POSITION.
>> WITH THE RELEASE OF THE
GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE BUDGET, THE
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE
LEADERS WILL HEAD INTO
NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE NEXT
SEVERAL WEEKS.
THE HOPE IS TO COME TO AN
(11:12):
AGREEMENT TO MEET THE APRIL 1ST
DEADLINE TO START THE NEW FISCAL
YEAR.
AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL AND
NEGOTIATIONS AHEAD, YOU CAN
VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
NOW TURNING TO THE NATIONAL
HEADLINES.
AT THE TOP OF THE WEEK, THE
(11:34):
NATION SAW THE SECOND INAGUATION
OF DONALD TRUMP.
>> FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, OUR
COUNTRY WILL FLOURISH AND BE
RESPECTED AGAIN ALL OVER THE
WORLD.
WE WILL BE THE ENVY OF EVERY
NATION, AND WE WILL NOT ALLOW
OURSELVES TO BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE
OF ANY LONGER.
DURING EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE
(11:55):
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, I WILL
VERY SIMPLY PUT AMERICA FIRST.
>> AFTER THE INAUGURATION, THE
PRESIDENT HIT THE GROUND
RUNNING, SIGNING SEVERAL
EXECUTIVE ORDERS, SOME OF WHICH
DEALING WITH IMMIGRATION.
THE PRESIDENT HAS SIGNALED THAT
IMMIGRATION WILL BE ONE OF HIS
(12:16):
KEY PRIORITIES WHILE IN OFFICE.
TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER
OUTLAWING BIRTHRIGHT
CITIZENSHIP.
THIS MOVE LED TO OUTRAGE BY
ELECTED OFFICIALS AROUND THE
COUNTRY AND HERE IN NEW YORK.
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHEL AND
ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMES
BOTH RELEASED STATEMENTS
CONDEMNING THE MOVE BY THE
(12:36):
PRESIDENT.
NEW YORK IS ONE OF 22 STATES
ATTEMPTING TO BLOCK THE MEASURE,
AND ON THURSDAY, A FEDERAL JUDGE
ISSUED AN ORDER TO TENTATIVELY
BLOCK THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE
ORDER.
GIVEN ALL OF THESE RECENT
EVENTS, WE WANTED TO TAKE A LOOK
AT THE STATE'S APPROACH TO
IMMIGRATION REFORM UNDER THE NEW
(12:56):
FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION.
HERE'S THAT STORY FROM OUR ELISE
KLEIN.
>> ANOTHER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
TAKING ON THE WHITE HOUSE HAS
LEFT MANY INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES IN NEW YORK FEELING
ANXIOUS.
TRUMP'S PLANS TO INSTIGATE MASS
DEPORTATIONS HAVE LEFT LAWMAKERS
WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY TO PASS
STATE IMMIGRATION REFORM POLICY.
(13:16):
IN AN IMMIGRATION REFORM PACKAGE
OF BILLS LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING
FOR THIS SESSION INCLUDING THE
NEW YORK FOR ALL ACT, THE
CLEMENCY ACT, THE LANGUAGE
ACCESS EXPANSION ACT, THE
DIGNITY NOT DETENTION ACT, AND
THE ACCESS TO LEGAL
REPRESENTATION ACT.
THESE BILLS WOULD PROHIBIT THE
DISCOVERY AND DISCLOSURE OF
IMMIGRATION STATUS VIA STATE AND
LOCAL RESOURCES, MAKE
IMPROVEMENTS TO CLEMENCY
APPLICATIONS, AND ESTABLISH THE
(13:37):
RIGHT TO LEGAL COUNSEL IN
IMMIGRATION COURT.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER JESSICA GONZALEZ
ROJAS, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING
QUEENS, SAYS THESE BILLS ARE
IMPORTANT TO PASS BECAUSE WE ARE
FACING A CRITICAL TIME WHERE NEW
YORK IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ARE
DEEPLY VULNERABLE.
>> NEW YORK MUST STAND UP FOR
IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS.
WE MAKE UP OVER FOUR AND A HALF
MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE.
WE CONTRIBUTE GREATLY TO ITS
(13:58):
ECONOMY.
WE MAKE UP A MAJORITY OF THE
ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN THE STATE,
WE HAVE OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.
I'M THE DAUGHTER OF AN IMMIGRANT
SO IT'S VERY PERSONAL TO ME AND
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE
PROTECTING THOSE WHO HAVE COME
TO NEW YORK TO BUILD A BETTER
LIFE.
>> ADVOCATE MARYAM KHALDI WITH
THE ARAB AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF
NEW YORK SAYS IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES ARE TERRIFIED.
>> THE CONSTANT THREAT OF RAIDS
(14:19):
HAS BEEN NONSTOP ON OUR
COMMUNITIES AND IT HAS GOTTEN TO
A POINT WHERE WE ARE RECEIVING
WORD FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
CLIENTS WHO HAVE IMMEDIATELY
STOPPED WORKING, THEY STOPPED
ATTENDING SCHOOL, THEY ARE
SCARED TO LIVE THEIR DAY TO DAY
LIVES GO GROCERY SHOPPING
BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID OF BEING
STOPPED BY LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
>> GONZALEZ ROJAS STRESSES THAT
PREVENTING STATE AND LOCAL
OFFICIALS FROM QUESTIONING
INDIVIDUALS ABOUT THEIR
IMMIGRATION STATUS THROUGH THE
(14:39):
NEW YORK FOR ALL ACT WOULD
IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
>> IT ALSO MEANS THAT IMMIGRANTS
IF THEY ARE VICTIMS OF A CRIME
THAT THEY'RE NOT FEARFUL OF
CALLING THE AUTHORITIES TO
REPORT A CRIME, IT ACTUALLY
KEEPS OUR WHOLE COMMUNITIES
SAFE.
>> HOWEVER, SOME REPUBLICANS
ACROSS THE AISLE ARGUE THE
LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE MORE
WORRIED ABOUT NEW YORKERS.
STATE SENATOR STEVE CHAN,
(15:00):
REPRESENTING BROOKLYN, RAISES
CONCERNS OF IMMIGRANTS WHO
COMMIT CRIMES BEING PROTECTED.
>> WE HAVE ENOUGH CRIMINALS
HERE, WE HAVE ENOUGH MURDERERS
AND RAPISTS.
WE DON'T NEED TO IMPORT SOME
MORE.
WE DON'T NEED TO HARBOR THEM AND
PROTECT THEM.
LET'S GET THEM OUT OF HERE.
>> CHAN SAYS WHEN HE WORKED AS A
POLICE OFFICER VICTIMS OF CRIMES
WHO DIDN'T HAVE CITIZENSHIP WERE
TREATED WITH KINDNESS.
HE ADDED IF AN INDIVIDUAL
(15:20):
WITHOUT CITIZENSHIP COMMITS A
CRIME THEN THEY SHOULD BE TURNED
OVER TO ICE.
OTHER REPUBLICANS, LIKE SENATOR
MARK WALCZYK, WHO REPRESENTS
WATERTOWN, FEAR THIS BILL SKIRTS
AROUND FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS.
>> I THINK TO THE DEMOCRATS THAT
ARE SAYING WE NEED TO TRUMP
PROOF NEW YORK AND NOT COMPLY
WITH FEDERAL LAW, I THINK
THERE'S GOING TO BE BIG
PROBLEMS.
I THINK WE NEED TO DO OUR JOB AS
(15:42):
NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATORS.
>> SENATOR JESSICA RAMOS, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING QUEENS,
ARGUES THIS BILL ISN'T ABOUT
CHANGING PROCEDURES THAT ALREADY
TAKE PLACE SUCH AS LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT COOPERATING WITH ICE
WHEN NECESSARY IT'S ABOUT GIVING
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES A CHANCE
FOR DUE PROCESS.
>> PERHAPS THIS IS WHERE THERE'S
THE DISCONNECT.
WE BELIEVE IN UPHOLDING A HUMAN
(16:03):
BEING'S RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS AND
WE DON'T WANT FAMILIES TO BE
SEPARATED PURELY ON ACCUSATIONS.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
THERE'S A FAIR TRIAL, WE WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S A
PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE BEFORE
THOSE EXTREME ACTIONS TAKE
PLACE.
>> SOME ADVOCATES SAY OTHER
BILLS WITHIN THE PACKAGE SUCH AS
(16:24):
THE DIGNITY NOT DETENTION ACT
WOULD HELP END NEW YORK'S
PARTICIPATION WITH ICE DETENTION
CENTERS.
UCHECHUKWU ONWA, WHO IMMIGRATED
TO THE UNITED STATES IN 2017
FROM NIGERIA, SAYS THE
CONDITIONS HE FACED IN DETENTION
CENTERS WERE INHUMANE.
>> REMEMBERING WHEN I WAS SICK
INSIDE DETENTION.
I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH
CHAINS ALL OVER MY BODY, MY
(16:44):
HANDS, MY LEGS, EVEN WHEN I WAS
IN A HOSPITAL BED.
>> FOR SOME ADVOCATES POLICIES
LIKE THE CLEMENCY ACT COULD HELP
THEM AVOID DEPORTATION AND
PROVIDE MORE TRANSPARENCY AROUND
THE APPLICATION PROCESS BY
ESTABLISHING EFFICIENCY CHANGES
TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
PASCAL CHARPENTIER, WHO GOES BY
SHAKOURE, IS A QUEENS RESIDENT,
WHO SAYS THE CLEMENCY ACT WOULD
HELP HIM AVOID BEING SENT BACK
(17:05):
TO HAITIA COUNTRY HE HAS NEVER
BEEN TO.
DURING THE SUMMER OF 2020, ICE
OFFICIALS CAME TO CHARPENTIER'S
HOME IN QUEENS AND ARRESTED HIM.
HE THEN SPENT ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS
IN A DETENTION CENTER.
>> I ENDED UP BEING DETAINED FOR
SEVEN MONTHS, THE MOST HORRIBLE
SEVEN MONTHS OF MY ENTIRE LIFE.
(17:29):
IT WAS AN EXTREMELY DEPRESSING
AND REALLY HARSH EMOTIONAL
PERIOD FOR MY FAMILY AND MYSELF.
>> CHARPENTIER SAYS HE WAS BORN
ON A MILITARY BASE IN GERMANY
BEFORE HIS FAMILY MOVED TO THE
UNITED STATES IN 1972.
ICE CLAIMS CHARPENTIER WAS BORN
IN HAITI, WHERE HIS PARENTS ARE
(17:49):
FROM, AND IS A HAITIAN NATIONAL.
NANCY MORAWETZ, CHARPENTIER'S
LAWYER AND A LAW PROFESSOR AT
NYU, SAYS THERE ARE MANY REASONS
WHY HIS CASE IS UNFAIR TO HIM.
ONE OF THEM BEING THEY HAVE
SHOWN IMMIGRATION COURT EVIDENCE
VIA MEDICAL RECORDS AND A BIRTH
CERTIFICATE, THAT HE WAS BORN ON
U.S. SOIL ON A MILITARY BASE IN
GERMANY NOT IN HAITI.
>> IT'S JUST A MISTAKE BUT NOW
(18:10):
THEY'RE CHANGING THEIR ARGUMENT.
NOW THEY SAY 'OH, WELL HE WAS
BORN OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
SO HE HAS TO PROVE HE'S A U.S.
CITIZEN.'
THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY, WE THINK
THAT'S WRONG.
>> MORAWETZ ARGUES THAT PUTTING
THE BURDEN ON CHARPENTIER TO
ADDITIONALLY PROVE HIS
CITIZENSHIP BEYOND THE BIRTH
CERTIFICATE AND HOSPITAL RECORDS
IS ILLEGAL.
TO TRY AND STAY IN NEW YORK WITH
(18:31):
HIS FAMILY, CHARPENTIER APPLIED
FOR CLEMENCY, WHICH MEANS IF THE
GOVERNOR GRANTS HIM A PARDON HE
CAN STAY IN NEW YORK WITH HIS
FIANCE AND HIS TEENAGE DAUGHTER.
>> I HAVE AN ORDER OF
DEPORTATION THAT IS CURRENTLY
PENDING ON APPEAL.
AND THAT CAN TAKE YEARS, NOW
WITH WHAT THE NEW INCOMING
ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY
(18:51):
PROMISED, IT'S NOT FAR FETCHED
TO ANTICIPATE A VAN IN FRONT OF
MY HOUSE WITH ICE AGENTS COMING
INTO MY HOME AGAIN, HANDCUFFING
ME, PUTTING ME IN CHAINS AND
SHACKLES, AND TRANSPORTING ME
DOWNTOWN.
>> CHARPENTIER ADDS THIS IDEA OF
(19:12):
BEING SENT BACK TO AN ICE
DETENTION CENTER IS SOMETHING
THAT HAS BEEN CAUSING HIM AND
HIS FAMILY A LOT OF ANXIETY AND
STRESS.
MORAWETZ STRESSES DETENTION
CENTERS IN A WAY ARE UNDERMINING
WHEN IT COMES TO DUE PROCESS IN
IMMIGRATION COURT, ESPECIALLY
WHEN THERE ARE MANY BARRIERS
FACING INDIVIDUALS WHO TRY TO
PROVE THEIR RIGHT TO STAY IN THE
U.S.
>> BUT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE
COUNSEL IF YOU DO NOT HAVE
(19:32):
ACCESS TO YOUR DOCUMENTS, IF YOU
DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO PEOPLE WHO
CAN HELP YOU FROM YOUR FAMILY OR
OTHER PEOPLE, THEN YOU CAN'T
ASSERT YOUR RIGHTS TO REMAIN.
AND SO DETENTION COMPLETELY
UNDERMINES DUE PROCESS, AND
THAT'S I THINK THE BIGGEST
THREAT WE SEE THE INCOMING TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION PLANNING TO
(19:53):
GREATLY EXPAND DETENTION.
>> CHARPENTIER'S CASE CAME TO
ICE'S ATTENTION BECAUSE HE WAS
CONVICTED OF FELONY MURDER FOR
BEING A LOOKOUT IN A 1990
MUGGING THAT RESULTED IN THE
DEATH OF A UTAH RESIDENT
VISITING NEW YORK CITY.
CHARPENTIER SAYS HE HAD NO IDEA
THERE WOULD BE ANY VIOLENCE.
HOWEVER, IN NEW YORK LAW, IF AN
INDIVIDUAL IS INVOLVED IN A
CRIME THAT RESULTS IN A DEATH
THEY ARE HELD EQUALLY
(20:13):
RESPONSIBLE.
HE WAS SENTENCED WITH SIX OTHER
INDIVIDUALS AT THE TIME.
CHARPENTIER SERVED HIS TIME AND
WAS RELEASED IN 2015.
HIS IMMIGRATION CASE WENT TO THE
COURTS IN 2020.
HE LOST HIS CASE AND HIS LAWYERS
THEN FILED FOR AN APPEAL IN
2023.
MORAWETZ SAYS EVEN THOUGH
CHARPENTIER HAD FINISHED HIS
SENTENCE AND HIS PAROLE BY THE
TIME ICE OFFICIALS DETAINED HIM
AND HIS DEPORTATION CASE WAS
BROUGHT TO THE COURTS, IT DIDN'T
(20:35):
MATTER BECAUSE IMMIGRATION LAWS
DON'T HAVE A STATUTE OF
LIMITATIONS.
>> THAT'S ANOTHER REASON THAT
IMMIGRATION LAW IS PARTICULARLY
CRUEL AND UNPREDICTABLE AND
ANOTHER REASON WHY THE POWERS OF
THE GOVERNOR BECOME VERY
IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF CLEMENCY.
>> IF CHARPENTIER IS GRANTED
CLEMENCY HOWEVER, HE WON'T HAVE
(20:55):
TO WORRY ABOUT FIGHTING IN
COURT.
STATE SENATOR ZELLNOR MYRIE, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
QUEENS, SAYS THE CLEMENCY ACT IS
AN ATTEMPT TO ENSURE THAT THE
COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES OF BEING
INVOLVED IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
DON'T MANIFEST THEMSELVES IN THE
WORST WAYS.
>> LOOK, I THINK WE ARE IN A
POLITICAL CLIMATE THAT HAS NOT
FOCUSED ON THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS
PROBLEM BUT IT MANY INSTANCES
(21:17):
HAS POLITICIZED THIS PROBLEM.
>> MYRIE ADDS THIS IS AN
ENORMOUS POWER THE GOVERNOR HAS
AND THERE SHOULD BE AS MUCH
TRANSPARENCY AS POSSIBLE.
TWO OTHER BILLS IN THE
LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE INTEND TO
PROVIDE LEGAL COUNSEL TO
INDIVIDUALS FIGHTING IN
IMMIGRATION COURT AND EXPAND
LANGUAGE ACCESS FOR CERTAIN
DOCUMENTS.
THE ACCESS TO LEGAL
REPRESENTATION ACT WOULD AMEND
STATE LAW ESTABLISHING THE RIGHT
TO UNIVERSAL REPRESENTATION,
(21:38):
MEANING ANYONE FACING THE RISK
OF DEPORTATION WHO CANNOT AFFORD
A LAWYER WILL BE PROVIDED ONE.
MORAWETZ SAYS MANY INDIVIDUALS
COULD GREATLY BENEFIT FROM LEGAL
COUNSEL IN IMMIGRATION COURT.
>> IMMIGRATION LAW HAS BEEN MANY
TIMES LIKENED TO THE TAX CODE IN
TERMS OF ITS COMPLEXITY.
IT'S VERY VERY COMPLICATED AND
THE IDEA THAT SOMEBODY CAN
NAVIGATE THAT ON THEIR OWN IS
(22:00):
REALLY A FALLACY AND THEN OF
COURSE NAVIGATING ON YOUR OWN
WHEN YOU'RE IN DETENTION IS EVEN
MORE IMPOSSIBLE.
>> FOR SOME ADVOCATES THE
LANGUAGE ACCESS EXPANSION ACT
WOULD GREATLY IMPROVE THEIR
QUALITY OF LIFE.
SABIHA OBAID, AN IMMIGRANT
RIGHTS ADVOCATE, SAYS LANGUAGE
ACCESS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN
A PART OF HER STORY FOR A LONG
TIME.
(22:21):
>> I'M THE CHILD OF IMMIGRANTS.
BOTH OF MY PARENTS IMMIGRATED
FROM BANGLADESH.
MY MOM IMMIGRATED FIRST WITH HER
FAMILY IN THE LATE '90S AND FOR
MOST OF MY EARLY CHILDHOOD, MY
FATHER WAS STILL AWAITING HIS
VISA APPROVAL SO A LOT OF THE
RESPONSIBILITIES FELL ON MY
MOTHER.
AND I WOULD WATCH HER STRUGGLE
WITH SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORMS,
WITH DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS, WITH
(22:41):
THE VERY LITTLE ENGLISH THAT SHE
KNEW.
AND AS I GREW OLDER, I USED TO
TAKE ON THAT RESPONSIBILITY
WHERE I WOULD TRANSLATE FOR THE
FAMILY AND INTERPRET FOR THEM.
>> THE LANGUAGE ACCESS EXPANSION
ACT WOULD REQUIRE TRANSLATED
VITAL DOCUMENTS ACROSS VARIOUS
STATE AGENCIES.
OBAID SAYS WATCHING HER FAMILY
STRUGGLE HAS FUELED HER PASSION
TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS
LEGISLATION.
SHE SAYS NOW THAT SHE'S AN ADULT
(23:03):
WITH A FULL TIME JOB SHE CAN'T
ACCOMPANY HER PARENTS TO EVERY
APPOINTMENT TO HELP TRANSLATE.
THIS BILL PASSING MEANS SHE
COULD WORRY LESS ABOUT THEIR
WELL BEING.
AND OBAID ISN'T ALONE, WHILE THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAS ONLY
JUST BEGUN MANY ADVOCATES AND
LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN RALLYING ON
THE STATE CAPITOL STEPS FOR
THESE IMMIGRATION REFORM
POLICIES.
MANY DEMOCRATS SEEM TO BE
DETERMINED TO PASS THESE BILLS
(23:23):
DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
WHILE REPUBLICANS SEEM UNSURE OR
OUTRIGHT OPPOSED.
SENATOR CHAN SAYS, FOR EXAMPLE,
THE ACCESS TO LEGAL
REPRESENTATION ACT, HE WANTS TO
REVIEW IN MORE DETAIL.
>> WHY WE HAVE TO WASTE ALL OF
OUR RESOURCES IN THIS ASPECT.
BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY HELP
CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS ON A CASE BY
CASE BASIS, NOT EVERY IMMIGRANT
(23:43):
IS THE SAME.
>> SENATOR GEORGE BORRELLO, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
THE FINGER LAKES, STRESSES STATE
LAWMAKER'S NUMBER ONE JOB SHOULD
BE TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS.
>> ALL OF THESE PIECES OF
LEGISLATION ARE THERE TO PUT
BARRIERS IN FRONT OF THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION DEPORTING PEOPLE
WHO HAVE COMMITTED HEINOUS
CRIMES AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF NEW
YORK STATE.
I DON'T SEE ANY SUPPORT FOR THAT
AND I WOULD HOPE THAT MY
(24:04):
COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF
THE AISLE WOULD ALSO UNDERSTAND
THAT THEIR NUMBER ONE JOB IS TO
PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK
STATE.
>> SOME DEMOCRATS ARGUE THEIR
REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE
AISLE ARE COMPLETELY OFF THE
MARK WHEN IT COMES TO ARGUING
AGAINST THESE IMMIGRATION REFORM
POLICIES.
STATE SENATOR JABARI BRISPORT, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING BROOKLYN,
SAYS FROM DAY ONE OF SESSION
THIS YEAR REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIED
TO MAKE IMMIGRANTS THE ENEMY.
(24:25):
>> THEY WANTED TO USE THEM AS A
FOIL TO PUSH THEIR FAR RIGHT
WING AGENDA.
I DON'T SEE ANY CONVERSATIONS
BEING FRUITFUL WITH THE MINORITY
ON IMMIGRATION THIS YEAR.
>> HOWEVER, DESPITE THE
CONTROVERSY THEY CARRY IN THE
CHAMBER, THESE BILLS SEEM TO
HAVE WIDE SUPPORT.
WHILE THE BILLS DIDN'T MAKE IT
ACROSS THE FINISH LINE LAST
SESSION, BRISPORT SAYS THIS YEAR
(24:45):
IF THEY HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL
THEN THEY WILL MAKE IT TO THE
FLOOR AND PASS.
HE SAYS LAST YEAR THAT POLITICAL
PRESSURE WAS SIMPLY LACKING.
>> WE DID NOT BUILD ENOUGH
POLITICAL PRESSURE.
WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR GOOD THINGS
IN GOVERNMENT OR ELSE THEY DON'T
HAPPEN.
NOTHING HAPPENS BY CHANCE.
WE NEED TO ORGANIZE AND WE NEED
TO FIGHT FOR THEM.
>> A FIGHT IS EXACTLY WHAT MANY
(25:06):
LAWMAKERS PLAN ON BRINGING TO
THE CHAMBER FOR THIS PACKAGE OF
IMMIGRATION REFORM BILLS.
SOME LAWMAKERS SAY ANOTHER TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION TAKING PLACE
COULD VERY WELL BUILD THE
POLITICAL PRESSURE NEEDED TO GET
THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION
ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.
ELISE KLINE, NEW YORK NOW.
>> AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON
(25:26):
THE STATE'S APPROACH TO
IMMIGRATION REFORM THIS YEAR
UNDER THE NEW FEDERAL
ADMINISTRATION, YOU CAN VISIT
OUR WEBSITE, AGAIN, THAT'S AT
NYNOW.ORG.
YOU CAN ALSO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR
NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
BY GOING TO NEWSLETTER.NYNOW.ORG
OR BY SCANNING THE QR CODE ON
(25:47):
YOUR SCREEN.
WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.
[MUSIC]
(26:35):
>> FUNDING FOR NEW YORK NOW IS
PROVIDED BY WNET.
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