Key Takeaways
• Hundreds protest in Albany urging passage of NY For All Act before June 2025 legislative session ends.
• NY For All Act stops local police sharing immigration info with ICE; protects immigrants from deportation.
• Labor unions and immigrant groups back bill; bill remains unvoted as political hurdles delay progress.
Hundreds of immigration protesters have taken to the streets of Albany in early June 2025, blocking major traffic routes and demanding urgent action from lawmakers. Their main goal: push the New York State Legislature to pass the NY For All Act before the legislative session ends. The protests, organized by a coalition of labor unions and immigrant rights groups, reflect growing frustration over the bill’s stalled progress and deep concerns about the safety of immigrant communities across New York.
Who is protesting, what are they demanding, and why now? The demonstrators include immigrant families, workers, students, and advocates. They want lawmakers to pass the NY For All Act, a bill designed to stop local police from working with federal immigration authorities. Protesters say this law is needed to protect immigrants from being deported after simple encounters with law enforcement, like traffic stops or reporting a crime. The timing is urgent: the legislative session is almost over, and supporters fear the bill will not get a vote unless public pressure increases.
What Is the NY For All Act?
The NY For All Act is a proposed law in New York State. Its main purpose is to prevent local and state police from voluntarily sharing information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unless required by federal law. This means that police would not be allowed to help ICE with deportations or give them information about people’s immigration status, except in very limited situations.
Key points of the NY For All Act:
– Stops local police from working with ICE unless federal law says they must.
– Lets everyone in New York, no matter their immigration status, report crimes, go to school, and get medical care without fear of deportation.
– Fixes the patchwork of local rules that make it risky for immigrant workers who travel between counties for work.
Supporters say the bill would help build trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, making it easier for everyone to feel safe and protected.
Why Are Immigration Protests Happening in Albany?
The protests in Albany are a direct response to the slow progress of the NY For All Act in the state legislature. As the end of the legislative session approaches, advocates fear the bill will not be brought up for a vote. This has led to large-scale demonstrations, with protesters blocking traffic and holding rallies near the State Capitol.
Main reasons for the protests:
– Lack of progress: The NY For All Act has not moved forward, despite strong support from labor unions and immigrant rights groups.
– Fear of deportation: Without the law, immigrants remain at risk of being detained and deported after routine police encounters.
– Patchwork enforcement: Different counties have different rules, making it confusing and dangerous for immigrants who work or travel across county lines.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these protests reflect a broader trend of grassroots activism as immigrant communities and their allies seek stronger protections at the state level.
Who Supports the NY For All Act?
Labor unions, immigrant rights organizations, and progressive lawmakers are the main supporters of the NY For All Act. Over a dozen major unions, representing hundreds of thousands of workers, have sent letters to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. They are urging these leaders to bring the bill to a vote and protect immigrant workers from deportation.
Key supporters include:
– Labor unions: SEIU, 32BJ, and other large unions.
– Immigrant rights groups: Immigrant Defense Project, Make the Road New York, and others.
– State legislators: Senator Kristen Gonzalez and other progressive lawmakers.
Senator Gonzalez has been especially vocal, saying the bill is needed so that all New Yorkers can report crimes, attend school, and seek medical care without fear.
What Is the Current Status of the NY For All Act?
As of June 11, 2025, the NY For All Act has not been passed by the New York State Legislature. The bill has been introduced in both the Senate and Assembly, but it has not been scheduled for a floor vote. There are no official vote counts or committee reports available for the current session.
Why hasn’t the bill passed yet?
– Political hurdles: Some lawmakers are hesitant to limit cooperation with federal authorities, citing concerns about public safety.
– Lack of leadership support: Governor Hochul has not publicly committed to supporting the bill, and legislative leaders have not prioritized it.
– Opposition: While less vocal, some law enforcement officials and lawmakers worry about the impact on their ability to work with federal agencies.
Despite these challenges, advocacy groups are pushing hard for the bill to be included on the legislative calendar before the session ends.
What Would Change If the NY For All Act Passes?
If the NY For All Act becomes law, it would bring several important changes for immigrants, law enforcement, and the broader community.
For immigrants:
– Reduced fear of deportation: Immigrants could interact with police, report crimes, and access services without worrying about being reported to ICE.
– More consistent protections: The law would create uniform rules across New York, so immigrants wouldn’t face different risks in different counties.
For law enforcement:
– Clearer guidelines: Police would have clear rules about when they can and cannot share information with ICE.
– Better community trust: Immigrants would be more likely to cooperate with police, making it easier to solve crimes and keep communities safe.
For the economy:
– Stronger workforce: Immigrants are a vital part of New York’s workforce. Protecting them helps the state’s economy.
For state-federal relations:
– State pushback: The law would show that New York is willing to stand up to federal immigration enforcement, possibly inspiring similar actions in other states.
How Would the NY For All Act Be Put Into Practice?
If passed, the NY For All Act would follow these steps:
- Legislative approval: The bill must pass both the Senate and Assembly, then be signed by the Governor.
- Policy rollout: State and local police would be told they cannot share information with ICE unless federal law requires it.
- Training: Police and other agencies would get training to make sure they follow the new rules.
- Community outreach: Immigrant rights groups and unions would inform communities about their new rights and protections.
This process would take time, but supporters say it would make a real difference in people’s lives.
What Are the Immediate and Long-Term Impacts?
Immediate impacts:
– Immigrant families would feel safer going to work, school, and the doctor.
– Police would have clearer rules about working with ICE.
– Labor unions could better protect their members, especially those who travel for work.
Long-term impacts:
– Stronger community trust: Immigrants would be more likely to report crimes and help police.
– Economic benefits: A protected immigrant workforce supports New York’s economy.
– State leadership: New York could set an example for other states looking to protect immigrants.
What Are the Arguments For and Against the NY For All Act?
Supporters say:
– The bill is needed to protect immigrant families and workers from unfair deportation.
– It helps everyone by making communities safer and encouraging crime reporting.
– Immigrants are essential to New York’s economy and deserve protection.
Opponents say:
– Limiting cooperation with federal authorities could make it harder to enforce the law.
– Some worry it could affect public safety, though there is little evidence to support this concern.
Most public discussion has focused on the need to protect immigrants and build trust, with less attention given to the concerns of opponents.
What Is Happening at the Federal Level?
While New York debates the NY For All Act, there are also important developments in federal immigration policy. On June 5, 2025, Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34) introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to eliminate visa caps for Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ) and expand visa options for religious workers and members of the U.S. Armed Forces in the EB-4 category. This bill is now being reviewed by the House Committee on the Judiciary.
What does this mean?
– Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ): These are children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected and need protection in the United States 🇺🇸.
– EB-4 category: This is a type of employment-based visa for special groups, including religious workers and certain members of the military.
The federal bill aims to help vulnerable groups by making more visas available and speeding up the process. You can learn more about federal immigration bills and their progress on the U.S. House of Representatives official website.
How Do Local and Federal Policies Affect Each Other?
The NY For All Act is an example of a state trying to protect immigrants from federal enforcement. While federal law still applies, states can limit how much their own police help federal agencies like ICE. This creates a balance between state and federal powers, and sometimes leads to disagreements.
If NY For All passes:
– Local police would not help ICE unless required by federal law.
– Immigrants would have more protection at the state level, even if federal enforcement continues.
If it does not pass:
– Immigrants remain at risk of deportation after simple police encounters.
– Different counties may have different rules, causing confusion and fear.
What Are the Next Steps for the NY For All Act?
The future of the NY For All Act is uncertain. The legislative session is ending soon, and the bill has not been scheduled for a vote. Supporters are ramping up protests and advocacy, hoping to convince lawmakers to act before time runs out.
Possible outcomes:
– If the bill passes: New York becomes a leader in protecting immigrants, and other states may follow.
– If the bill fails: Advocates will likely continue their efforts, and the issue may return in future sessions.
What Resources Are Available for Immigrants and Supporters?
If you want to learn more or get involved, here are some helpful resources:
– New York State Legislature: Track bills and contact lawmakers at nysenate.gov and nyassembly.gov.
– Immigrant Defense Project: Offers legal help and information at immigrantdefenseproject.org.
– Make the Road New York: Advocacy and support for immigrants at maketheroadny.org.
– Labor unions: SEIU, 32BJ, and others have advocacy pages and resources for workers.
What Should Immigrants and Allies Do Now?
Stay informed: Follow updates from trusted organizations and official government websites.
Contact lawmakers: Let your representatives know how you feel about the NY For All Act.
Join advocacy efforts: Participate in rallies, write letters, or volunteer with local groups.
Know your rights: Learn about your legal protections and where to get help if needed.
Conclusion: What’s at Stake?
The immigration protests in Albany and the fight for the NY For All Act show how deeply these issues affect real people’s lives. For many immigrants, the outcome of this bill could mean the difference between safety and fear, between being able to call the police or staying silent. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the debate over the NY For All Act is about more than just policy—it’s about the values of inclusion, fairness, and community safety in New York.
With the legislative session ending soon, the next few weeks will be critical. Whether or not the NY For All Act passes, the energy and determination of immigration protesters in Albany have made it clear that the fight for immigrant rights is far from over. For more information on state and federal immigration policies, visit the official New York State Senate website.
Key takeaway: The future of the NY For All Act remains uncertain, but the voices of immigrants, workers, and their allies are shaping the conversation—and the outcome will have lasting effects on New York’s communities for years to come.
Learn Today
NY For All Act → Proposed law preventing local police from voluntarily sharing immigration info with ICE to protect immigrants.
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency deporting undocumented immigrants and enforcing immigration laws.
Legislative session → The period during which state legislature meets to debate and pass laws before adjournment.
Labor unions → Organizations representing workers advocating collectively for rights, including immigrant worker protections.
Deportation → The formal removal of a foreign national from a country, usually for violating immigration laws.
This Article in a Nutshell
In Albany, growing protests demand the NY For All Act to protect immigrants from deportations by limiting police cooperation with ICE, pressing lawmakers as the legislative session nears closure. Supporters argue it enhances safety and trust, while opponents raise public safety concerns, leaving the bill’s future uncertain but urgent.
— By VisaVerge.com
