Thousands of people came to Washington Square Park last night to protest Donald Trump’s executive actions on immigration. They were joined by local elected officials and by members of the de Blasio administration. Earlier in the day, the mayor vowed to pursue legal action if Trump follows through with threats to withhold funding from sanctuary cities.
As a sanctuary city, New York does not provide information to federal authorities about undocumented residents. The mayor said yesterday, “We will not deport law abiding New Yorkers… We will not tear families apart.” He also pointed out that Trump’s executive orders covering immigration are vague. It’s not at all clear at this point what the federal government will be able to do.
But on the Lower East Side and in Chinatown, where there are large immigrant populations, people will obviously be fearful. Gothamist put together a good guide, “What You Need to Know If You’re an Immigrant in NYC.” it’s worth a look.
Here in the neighborhood, Cabrini Immigrant Services is hosting a “Know Your Rights Workshop” tonight. Here’s more information from The Lo-Down’s calendar:
We will be talking about how the new administration will affect immigrants, what your rights are if you encounter ICE or the police, and answering any questions about these issues. All are welcome! – We encourage allies who are interested in learning more about how they can support the immigrant community in the coming months and years to join us. Childcare and food will be provided. The workshop will be conducted in English & Spanish. 7-9 p.m., 139 Henry St.
There are other local organizations that provide services to immigrants. They include Asian Americans for Equality, which offers assistance in applying for U.S. citizenship and renewing temporary residency. More info here.
