Dear Immigrant Advocacy Organizations and Friends: I am writing to you to bring to your attention an urgent matter that deals with undocumented immigrants in the State of New York. As we advocate for immigrant rights throughout this state, we must realize that their voices are heard through our actions. The time to step up is now. With federal immigration reform on the horizon and 11 million undocumented immigrants, including close to 800,000 in New York State waiting to be classified as Registered Provisional Immigrants (RPI), the flood gates will open for thieves looking to prey upon immigrants in search of legal and counseling services to file the proper paperwork to begin their long process in becoming citizens of the United States. While immigration reform is a federal issue, New York can not remain static or refrain from taking proactive measures, under its jurisdiction, that will ensure the protection of hard working immigrants from deceptive practices which too often have been documented in our mainstream media. Last year and again this year, the New York State Assembly passed legislation aimed at protecting immigrants from fraudulent immigration assistance service providers (Assembly bill 158/S.786). With the strong leadership and crucial support of Senate Majority Coalition Leader Senator Jeffrey Klein this important legislation has also passed the New York State Senate and will soon be delivered to Governor Andrew Cuomo. It is expected that Governor Cuomo will sign this strong anti-fraud measure into law and therefore protect the more than two million non-citizen residents of New York State from mass immigration service assistance fraud. Over 40% of all New York City residents are immigrants. All together 4.2 million New Yorkers are foreign born. The exploitation of legal and undocumented immigrants has an impact on millions of our fellow residents. Advocates and policymakers understand the importance of this legislation as we are in the midst of major federal immigration reform which will require extensive paperwork and filing of critical documents for those seeking to become US citizens. Your voice must be heard on this issue. I encourage you to reach out to the Governor and convey your support and the need for this legislation. Together we can help make a better life for our immigrant communities and improve the lives of all New Yorkers. Thank you. Sincerely,
Marcos A. Crespo
Chair, Assembly Task Force on New Americans
Member of Assembly, 85th AD