NY Immigrant Coalition Rally at State Capitol

On Wednesday, January 21, hundreds of immigrant rights advocates rallied at the State Capitol to urge state lawmakers to include funding and policy protections for immigrant New Yorkers in the FY26 budget and legislative session. The New York Immigration Coalition and allies called on the legislature to pass the New York for All Act and the Access to Representation and BUILD Acts as part of the state budget. Advocates argued that with federal immigration enforcement intensifying, New York must provide concrete protections for immigrant communities. Prior to the rally, we have a quick interview with Murad Awawdeh, President of the New York Immigration Coalition. Murad also served as Emcee of the rally. We hear from Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, Yousaf Sherzad of the Afghan Community Center, Catherine Grainge of Jericho Road Community Health Center of Buffalo, Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember Katrina Reyes. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine