New York City and state governments have allocated over $600 million in taxpayer funds to legal and migrant advocacy groups working to oppose federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. A review of various contracts has highlighted the financial support provided to these organizations from 2009 through the current fiscal period.
The Bronx Defenders, a legal aid organization, has received upwards of $500 million in city contracts since the 2018 fiscal year. This funding is designed to offer legal assistance to low-income individuals, including migrants facing various legal challenges. The group has also secured an additional $32 million from state funds, according to data maintained by the state comptroller’s office.
Another organization, Make the Road NY, has garnered $56 million for delivering legal, health, and social services primarily to immigrant communities. Recently, Make the Road NY organized a rally at the state Capitol advocating for the passage of a sanctuary bill that emphasizes community support for immigrants.
The New York Immigration Coalition has similarly benefited, receiving $46 million in taxpayer support. Murad Awadeh, the coalition’s executive director, has publicly criticized the city’s involvement in federal immigration policies, stressing that sanctuary policies are critical for public safety. He argues these measures encourage immigrant participation in society and assist them in reporting crimes without fear of deportation.
Lawyers for the Public Interest, another advocacy group, has also reported receiving $19 million, which includes approximately $5 million allocated since 2022. The Bronx Defenders and others have been key players in promoting the New York for All Act, which aims to prevent state and local law enforcement from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
These legislative efforts also include the proposed Dignity Not Detention Act, which would prohibit local jails from renting space to ICE. The Bronx Defenders have called on state leaders to act swiftly on these proposals before the legislative session adjourns for the summer.
As political tensions rise, some state politicians have expressed frustration over taxpayer dollars supporting organizations perceived as undermining federal immigration laws. New York City plans to invest $75 million in immigration legal services in its new budget, part of a deal brokered by Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council, which allocates nearly $42 million specifically for helping migrants facing deportation.
Critics of this funding, including Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, argue that taxpayer support for these groups is unwarranted. Malliotakis stated that organizations protecting undocumented individuals from deportation should not receive government money. Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella echoed these sentiments, asserting that the investments are detrimental to public safety and disrespectful to tax-paying citizens.
Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar emphasized that taxpayer money should not fund groups opposing immigration enforcement. He voiced concerns about New Yorkers supporting organizations that allegedly seek to keep undocumented individuals in the country.
The controversy surrounding these funding allocations has been fueled by recent incidents, including a shooting involving an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent, allegedly by an individual in the country illegally. Reactions from prominent political figures, including former President Trump, have intensified, framing these events within broader discussions about immigration and public safety.
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