Story by Sherry Mazzocchi
“It is important that we stay connected with each other,” said Angela Fernández, NMCIR Executive Director (far left).
No one had anything nice to say about the newly elected president or his policies at an information session on immigration rights this past week.
Incoming State Senator-elect Marisol Alcántara said, “We have a White House who is being run by a bunch of white supremacists, who are anti-immigrant, anti-women and anti-poor people.”
A representative read a statement from Councilmember Ydanis Rodríguez. “President-elect Donald Trump with his words and actions has created an environment of fear,” it read. “We will do everything in our power to protect people from complications arising from the new president.”
Lawyers from both the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (NMCIR) and the Legal Aid Society gathered on Wed., Dec. 7th for a community forum at Fort Washington Collegiate Church.
They issued a more restrained, but equally cautious note.
“Even though you may not be directly impacted, it is important that you share this information with your neighbors and your community,” said Angela Fernández, NMCIR Executive Director. “It is important that we stay connected with each other and we understand what the laws are to protect ourselves.”
As President-elect Trump has made contradictory statements regarding immigration, it is unclear what exactly will happen once he takes office. “We are still waiting to see what the new administration’s policies will be,” said Yvonne Floyd-Mayers, Senior Staff Attorney at the Legal Aid Society. “Unfortunately we are not very hopeful.”
Programs such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, are not expected to survive the new administration.
Read more: Cause for Concern | Manhattan Times
We invite you to subscribe to the weekly Uptown Love newsletter, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter & Instagram or e-mail us at [email protected].
