The Promise Package
In the current political climate, where immigrant communities are under attack from the federal government, New York State must do everything in its power to support immigrant and refugee communities and help them thrive.
An important step forward would be to invest in these communities with the New York Immigration Coalition’s proposed Promise Package.
The Promise Package is a state budget request that has 3 components. The first part seeks to invest five million dollars to help refugee resettlement agencies more fully serve the refugees already in their communities. Since most of our resettled refugees are living upstate, this would definitely help their long term population loss and help to reinvigorate their economies.
The second part requests $25 million in Adult Literacy Education. These invaluable services were cut last year. Restoring the funding will give people the ability to better support their families and communities.
The third part is to invest $25 million in immigration services to provide legal support, especially for those facing deportation. Having a lawyer makes a huge difference. Seventy-eight percent of immigrants with lawyers win their cases, versus 15 percent who don’t have legal help.
The Promise Package would instill a renewed sense of confidence in these communities and offer some hope to our New York neighbors looking for a fair chance.
Jeanette Walowitz
Great Neck
Bend The Arc Jewish Action
Volunteer Leader, LI Chapter
