BREAKING: Several of NYIC Action’s Slate of Candidates Emerge with Strong Leads

New York, NY (June 23, 2021) - While several contests in New York City’s June 22 Primary remain too close to call, it is clear that several new New York City Council Members will be fierce advocates for immigrant New Yorkers. Tonight, many of NYIC Action’s slate of candidates for the City Council appeared poised to win their races. NYIC Action is the New York Immigration Coalition’s sister 501 (c)4 organization. Additionally, all endorsed candidates committed to NYIC Action’s political agenda, 2021: A Vision for NYC, an inclusive policy plan to ensure that every New Yorker can thrive. 

Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director of NYIC Action, issued the following statement:

“This year, New Yorkers went to the polls for the most consequential city elections in a generation. On the ballot was the future of New York and the nature of our recovery from COVID-19 and the economic recession. Tonight’s results make it clear that New York voters are sending leaders to City Hall that understand how essential our immigrant communities were during the pandemic and will be for our recovery. Whether they are incumbents with solid records of advocacy or first-time candidates seeking to represent their neighborhoods, each of these individuals understands the need to give voice to the immigrant New Yorkers ignored for far too long.

For months, NYIC Action tapped into New York’s growing immigrant communities—many of them first-time voters—across the city to get out the vote for leaders who promised to protect and empower immigrant New Yorkers. With a pandemic and an economic recession ravaging New York, we need leaders at every level of city government who will ensure opportunity for all. So as we wait for every vote to be counted, we celebrate the progress we made towards building a more inclusive city!”

During the 2021 New York City Democratic Primary election cycle, NYIC Action reached more than 50,000 unlikely primary voters in the immigrant-heavy boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. NYIC Action targeted unlikely primary voters to tap into an often ignored bloc constituency. Because this election is the first to include ranked-choice voting, it may take the New York Board of Elections several weeks to announce the winners in the top races, including the Mayoral primary. 

So far, NYIC Action-endorsed candidates with strong leads include:

The Bronx:

• Kevin Riley – District 12 

• Marjorie Velázquez – District 13

• Amanda Farias – District 18

Brooklyn:

• Antonio Reynoso – Brooklyn Borough President

• Lincoln Restler – District 33

• Jennifer Gutierrez – District 34 

• Crystal Hudson – District 35

• Sandy Nurse – District 37

• Alexa Aviles – District 38

• Shahana Hanif – District 39

• Rita Joseph – District 40

• Farah Louis – District 45 

Manhattan:

• Carlina Rivera – District 2 

• Erik Bottcher – District 3

• Shaun Abreu – District 7

• Diana Ayala – District 8 

• Carmen De La Rosa – District 10 

Queens:

• Donovan Richards – Queens Borough President

• Tiffany Caban – District 22

• Linda Lee – District 23

• Adrienne Adams – District 28

• Felicia Singh – District 32

Background

This election cycle, NYIC Action endorsed in the Manhattan and Brooklyn District Attorney, the City Council, and four out of five of the Borough President races. Each round of endorsements was made following a careful review of candidates who pledged to build immigrant power and guarantee civil rights, end state support for detention, deportation, and mass incarceration, ensure economic justice and good jobs, and create quality education for all. 

The 2021 platform also includes the Our City Our Vote campaign, which supports legislation to permit lawfully present residents and those with work authorizations to vote in municipal elections, such as races for mayor, comptroller, public advocate, borough president, and city council, as well as referenda and other local contests. The original legislation was introduced by Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez in January 2020 and supported by a super-majority of Council Members.

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NYIC Action to Host First Mayoral Forum Dedicated Entirely to Immigration: How will NYC’s next Mayor empower immigrant New Yorkers?

New York, NY—This Thursday, in partnership with The City, City Limits, Gotham Gazette, CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, and the New York Immigration Coalition's sister organization, NYIC Action, will host the first Mayoral forum dedicated entirely to immigration.  NYC Mayoral candidates Shaun Donovan, Dianne Morales, Scott Stringer, Maya Wiley, and Andrew Yang will be asked to lay out their priorities for improving the lives of immigrant New Yorkers.

WHEN: Thursday, May 6 at 7:30 PM

WHERE: Register for NYIC's Mayoral Candidate Forum on Immigration here. (The Forum will be streamed in English with simultaneous translation in Spanish and Mandarin.)

WHO:

Moderators

• Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, NYIC Action

• Ann Choi, The City

• Samar Khurshid, The Gotham Gazette

• Daniel Parra, City Limits

Candidates

• Shaun Donovan

• Dianne Morales

• Scott Stringer

• Andrew Yang

• Maya Wiley

NYIC Action Endorses Candidates for New York City Council

New York, NY (January 19, 2021)–The New York Immigration Coalition’s sister 501 (c)4 organization, NYIC Action, today announced its first set of endorsements for New York City Council. The first ten candidates endorsed are all women from diverse backgrounds, religions, and stages of life.  All are fierce advocates for immigrant rights with records of service to New York's communities. 

Murad Awawdeh, Interim Co-Executive Director of NYIC Action, said, “Over the past year, our city has become the epicenter of two pandemics, COVID-19 and racial inequity, and it has been deeply impacted by the economic fallout of both. New York’s immigrant communities—and in particular, women in those communities—have often borne the brunt of these two intersecting hardships. It’s vital that we elect candidates who  represent those who have been voiceless for too long and who respect the endless contributions our immigrant communities make. We believe these candidates will work to create a more just and equitable New York City for all.”

In the Bronx, NYIC Action endorses: 

• Mino Lora (BX, 11), 

• Marjorie Velazquez (BX, 13), 

• And Amanda Farias (BX, 18)

In Queens, NYIC Action endorses: 

• Tiffany Caban (QN, 22), 

• Linda Lee (QN, 23), 

• And Moumita Ahmed (QN, 24) 

In Brooklyn, NYIC Action endorses: 

• Jen Gutierrez (BK, 34), 

• Crystal Hudson (BK, 35), 

• Alexa Aviles (BK, 38),

• And Shahana Hanif (BK, 39) 

The endorsements were made following a careful review of NYIC Action's political agenda, 2021: A Vision for NYC, which calls upon candidates to commit to working towards solutions in 5 major issues areas: Building political power and guaranteed civil rights; Ending state support for detention, deportation, and mass incarceration; Ensuring economic justice and good jobs; Creating quality education for all; and Creating healthy communities. The 2021 platform also includes the Our City Our Vote campaign, which supports legislation to permit lawfully present residents and those with work authorizations to vote in municipal elections, such as races for mayor, comptroller, public advocate, borough president, and city council, as well as referenda and other local contests. The original legislation was introduced by Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez in January 2020 and supported by a majority of council members (26) and the Public Advocate.

Awawdeh continued, “NYIC Action is committed to electing leaders who actively seek fairness and justice for New York’s immigrants—and who are unafraid to fight to ensure opportunity for all. New Yorkers of all backgrounds and immigration status deserve to have their voices heard, and we believe these are the candidates who will best represent our collective interests within City Hall.”

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NYIC Action Celebrates Record Turnout of Immigrant New Yorker Voters, Biden and Harris Massive Victory Advocates Call for Expansive, Ambitious Vision for Immigrants in America

New York, NY (November 7, 2020)–This morning, multiple outlets projected that Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris overwhelmingly swept New York State and secured enough votes in the critical swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania to win 273 Electoral College votes and the White House. The Democratic ticket is leading by more than 3.8 million in the total vote. As election officials continue to count ballots in New York and western states, multiple news outlets expect that Vice President Biden and Senator Harris will receive the highest total vote in the nation’s history. In a historic turnout, a massive number of immigrant New Yorkers turned out to the polls to deliver the Biden/Harris campaign’s huge sweep of the Empire State.

In response to these results, Murad Awawdeh and Rovika Rajkishun, Interim Co-Executive Directors of NYIC Action, issued the following statement.

“This year, immigration was on the ballot—and it won a resounding victory. Last night, millions of Americans firmly repudiated Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda at the polls with the record-breaking turnout from immigrants and people of color and a show of force not seen in previous elections. Here in New York, NYIC Action mobilized thousands of immigrant citizen New Yorkers—many of them first-time voters—to vote for Vice President Biden, Senator Harris, and other Democratic Congressional and State candidates because they believe immigration is good for New York and good for America. The fact is that these victorious candidates have committed to undoing the damage that the Trump administration has inflicted on our communities and are the only viable option for an America that is united in fighting this pandemic and building an economy that works for all of us. 

Now, as we get ready for the votes to be confirmed and to swear in a Democratic administration, we remind Vice President Biden and Senator Harris of their promises: to rescind the Muslim Ban, reinstate and expand DACA and TPS programs, as just a starting point to rebuilding our immigration system from the ground up.  

NYIC Action is ready to meet the moment by launching a bold and unprecedented $1 million campaign with one goal: to ensure every single member of Congress in New York, with New York Senator Chuck Schumer leading the way, works to win immigration reform that will bring the justice and freedom—not only from Trump's racist policies, but from our failed immigration system that has been broken for decades."

For months, election experts noted that absentee voting would be much higher this year due to COVID-19-related health concerns. Because election officials must verify and double-check each absentee ballot, counting them takes far longer than tallying in-person votes. Only after the results are officially certified can the 2020 elections be decided. Certification deadlines for the 2020 elections in all but one state will close by December 8th.

Advocates Blast Undemocratic Nomination of Anti-Immigrant Judge Barrett to SCOTUS

New York, NY (October 26, 2020)–Following a party-line vote of 52 to 48 late this evening, Congress nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United State (SCOTUS). The Trump administration will hold a swearing-in ceremony at the White House later tonight for Judge Barrett. The addition of Judge Barrett will give conservatives six of the court’s nine seats. During her three years on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago, Judge Barrett ruled in favor of several of the President’s immigration policies, including voting to uphold the change to the public charge rule. 

Following the US Senate’s vote to nominate Judge Barrett, Murad Awawdeh and Rovika Rajkishun, Interim Co-Executive Directors of NYIC Action, issued the following statement.

“For three years, Judge Barrett fought the advancement of immigrant rights by zealously upholding Trump’s extreme right-wing anti-immigrant agenda at the judicial level. With her undemocratic nomination to the highest court in the last eight days before a national election, the stakes for immigrant communities and all New Yorkers could not be any higher. As the White House celebrates its end-run around the American people's will, we are mobilizing our communities and allies to ensure today is the last time the Trump administration and the GOP can bully their way to victory on any issue. Starting next week, every Republican up and down the ballot will hear our voices as absentee ballots and election night returns are counted. Together we will build a country where our leaders act in our interest and where we count on each other and where everyone counts.”

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Ahead of Pivotal November Election, NYIC Action Announces Endorsement of Vice President Joe Biden for President

New York, NY (October 22, 2020)–Today, NYIC Action—the New York Immigration Coalition’s sister 501(c)4 organization and political arm—announced its endorsement of Vice President Joe Biden for President and Senator Kamala Harris for Vice President for the 2020 presidential election. In its endorsement, NYIC Action cited the Biden-Harris ticket’s commitment to reversing Trump's anti-immigrant policies, to enacting critical pro-immigrant policies and reform, and the need for an inclusive approach to all communities, regardless of legal status, in reviving our economy. This endorsement follows a 2016 endorsement by NYIC Action of Hillary Clinton for President, after she had committed to launch critical immigration initiatives. 

Murad Awawdeh and Rovika Rajkishun, Interim Co-Executive Directors of NYIC Action, said, “Vice President Joe Biden is simply the only choice for New York’s immigrants. He’s the only candidate for President who understands and values the social, cultural and economic contributions of millions of immigrants to this nation. Rather than demonizing and attacking our immigrant communities, Biden has committed to promoting pro-immigrant policies and laws to ensure a healthier and stronger America for everyone who calls this country home. Trump and his enablers can no longer distract and divide us from making the future we want. That's why we are working tirelessly to turn out every single eligible immigrant voter across the state. Alongside our allies across the nation, we will be delivering our voices and our votes for an America and a New York where the power of the immigrant vote is growing and will be crucial in November.”

NYIC Action’s previous round of endorsements, announced in October, can be found here.

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Trump Gives Up on Stimulus Deal, As Immigrant New Yorkers Keep Working

New York, NY (October 7, 2020)–On Tuesday afternoon, President Trump effectively killed ongoing negotiations on a stimulus package via Twitter. Last Friday, House Democrats passed a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief package which expanded much-needed relief to all immigrant New Yorkers, regardless of their status, and negotiations between House Speaker Pelosi and Secretary of Treasury Steve Mnunchin resumed after weeks of deadlock. Yet the President abruptly declared an end to the talks shortly after. The move comes less than two days after the President left Walter Reed Medical Center after contracting the COVID-19 virus and over 210,000 Americans have lost their lives to the virus.

In response to President Trump’s decision to end the negotiations for another round of stimulus relief, Murad Awawdeh, Interim Co-Executive Director of NYIC Action, issued the following statement.

“Trump has given up on COVID relief, while immigrant New Yorkers keep fighting to help our country recover. According to a new poll, 74% of voters believe the Senate should prioritize COVID relief over confirming Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. Yet, the Trump administration has thrown in the towel on stimulus relief talks while pushing forward a political agenda that only serves the GOP. Instead of demanding Senate Republicans work with Democrats to help families keep a roof over their heads and put food on the table, he is stonewalling with lies and misdirection aimed at playing to his base.  

But we haven’t given up on America. We’ll still keep fighting to help this country recover, and come November the electoral choice will be clear - the politicians who’ve given up on recovery and relief, and the candidates who are still fighting for the future of this country every day.”

House Democrats Pass COVID-19 Relief Bill Extending Critical Provisions to Working Immigrant Families

House Democrats Pass COVID-19 Relief Bill Extending Critical Provisions to Working Immigrant Families

New York, NY (October 2, 2020-Last night, the House Democrats passed a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief package. The bill extends much-needed relief to all immigrant families, regardless of their status. In response to the relief package's passage, Murad Awawdeh, Interim Co-Executive Director of NYIC Action, issued the following statement.

“Less than five weeks before the election, House Democrats are still fighting to provide relief to all of America’s families. Meanwhile, Washington Republicans are focused on politics, not people—aggressively pushing through an unelected Supreme Court nominee yet doing nothing to help America’s working families struggling to feed their kids. Thankfully, this House legislation will extend much-needed relief to every American family and essential workers—including green card holders, Dreamers, TPS-holders, and undocumented families.

Now, we need all of our Washington elected officials- including  the White House, and New York Senator Chuck Schumer and the Senate Democrats—to apply every tool at their disposal to finally enact this much-needed response to this historic crisis—and end the inexcusable exclusion of America’s immigrant communities and their families.”  

With Immigrants Under Attack, NYIC Action Endorses Slate of Strong, Pro-Immigrant Candidates for State Legislature

With Immigrants Under Attack, NYIC Action Endorses Slate of Strong, Pro-Immigrant Candidates for State Legislature

Press Release

501(c)4 Organization Throws Support Behind Challengers in Senate Districts 40, 42, 49, and 55

New York, NY (October 1, 2020) – As immigrant New Yorkers continue to serve on the frontlines of the state’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and suffer from the economic recession, NYIC Action—the New York Immigration Coalition’s sister 501(c)4 organization and political arm—announced today its final set of endorsements for the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly. Among the group are: 

• Senator Pete Harckham (District 40) in Dutchess County running against failed Westchester County Executive and gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino. 

• Senator Jen Metzger (District 42) in Middletown running against anti-immigrant and anti-union Republican Mike Martucci. 

• Thearse McCalmon for Senate (District 49), challenger to 18-term Republican legislator James Tedisco in Schenectady.

• Samra Brouk for Senate (District 55), challenger to right-wing anti-reform candidate Christopher Missick in Rochester.

Murad Awawdeh and Rovika Rajkishun, Interim Co-Executive Directors of NYIC Action, said, “One-third of our state’s essential workers are immigrant New Yorkers who are on the frontline of this pandemic, serving as doctors and nurses, farmworkers, cleaners, cooks, and more. But far too many are struggling to feed their families, pay their bills, and make the rent. This November, NYIC Action aims to send progressive leaders to Albany that understand the needs of all their constituents—including immigrant New Yorkers—and will fight for a fairer and more just state. The last four years prove that ensuring every New Yorker can thrive, regardless of their backgrounds or immigration status, must begin with a strong, representative voice at our state capitol.”

The endorsements were made following the completion of a survey by candidates and their staff. The surveys focused on five distinct policy areas: expanding our democracy, racial justice, health and welfare, education, and immigrant justice. It also asked candidates to outline their top 3 priorities for immigrants and asked how campaigns plan to reach out to immigrant voters. 

Other candidates we endorse for the 2020 General Election are:

Jacqui Berger (Senate District 61); Michelle Hinchey (Senate District 46); Senator Anna Kaplan (District 7); Jen Lunsford (Assembly District 135); Christine Pellegrino (Senate District 4); Senator Luis Sepulveda (District 32); and Karen Smythe (Senate District 41).

NYIC Action Endorses Candidates for New York State Legislature and United States Congress

New York Immigration Coalition’s Sister 501(c)4 Organization Throws Support Behind Challengers in Assembly Districts 31, 51 and 57 

New York, NY (May 26, 2020) – At a critical time when immigrant New Yorkers continue to wage battle on the frontlines of COVID-19, The New York Immigration Coalition’s sister 501 (c)4 organization, NYIC Action, today announced its final set of endorsements for the New York State Senate, the New York State Assembly, and New York’s Congressional Delegation.  Among the group are Jessica González-Rojas, challenger to 6-term Assemblyman Michael DenDekker in Jackson Heights, Queens;  Marcela Mitaynes, challenger to 13-term Assemblyman Felix Ortiz in Sunset Park, Brooklyn; and Phara Souffrant Forrest, challenger to 4-term Assemblyman Walter Mosley in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. 

Steven. Choi, Executive Director of NYIC Action said, “Immigrant New Yorkers make up more than a third of essential workers across the state–from healthcare professionals to farmworkers to cleaners–and yet, too many are struggling to feed and care for their families. NYIC Action is committed to electing leaders who actively seek fairness and justice for New York’s immigrants –and who are unafraid to fight to ensure opportunity for all during good times and in bad times, like now. New Yorkers of all backgrounds and immigration status deserve to have their voices heard–and we believe these are the candidates who will best represent our collective interests in Albany and Washington, D.C.”

This second round of endorsements from the NYIC also includes: 

Assembly members Charles Lavine (District 13), Harvey Epstein (District 71), Al Taylor (District 74), and Harry Bronson (District 138); as well as candidates Richard David (District 31), Brandon Patterson (District 64), Kenny Burgos (District 85) and Adam Bojak (District 149);

Senator Julia Salazar (District 18) and candidate Jeremy Cooney (District 56);

Congressional candidates Mondaire Jones in the Hudson Valley (NY-17) and Nathan McMurray in Western New York (NY-27).

The endorsements were made following the completion of a survey by candidates and their staffs. The surveys focused on five distinct policy areas: expanding our democracy, racial justice, health and welfare, education, and immigrant justice. It also asked candidates to outline their top 3 priorities for immigrants and asked how campaigns plan to reach out to immigrant voters. The first round of endorsements, announced in late April, can be found here.

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About NYIC Action

NYIC Action (nyicaction.org) was originally formed in 2010 as a sister organization to the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), a 501(c)(3) coalition with 200 member organizations across New York State.  In order to increase the political potency of the immigrant vote, Immigrant Action endorses candidates and elected officials who stand up for immigrant communities and against anti-immigrant opponents. Immigrant Action engages in targeted advocacy on specific immigrant-related issues such as legislative scorecards, pointed advocacy flyers highlighting individual elected officials’ stances, and intensive grassroots and direct lobbying of elected officials.