Funding in 2015-2016 NYS Executive Budget to Support Legal Representation and Social/Educational Services for Unaccompanied Immigrant Children

SUMMARY

The Immigration and Nationality Law Committee wrote to Governor Cuomo urging that the FY 2015-16 Executive Budget include funding for legal services and educational services for unaccompanied immigrant children. The letter noted that the large influx of these children into New York has created a humanitarian crisis and stressed that the government should protect vulnerable children by ensuring they are represented by counsel in their immigration proceedings. A recent study found that nearly half of children in removal proceedings are currently unrepresented, and other data show that those represented by counsel in these proceedings are far more likely to gain permission to remain in the U.S. In addition, the letter urges the State to consider providing additional educational funding to school districts where larger numbers of unaccompanied immigrant children are enrolling, to ensure that these vulnerable students have a chance to learn and thrive.