Bill
Bill > A00270
NY A00270
Establishes the right to legal counsel in immigration court proceedings; provides for the administration thereof.
summary
Introduced
01/08/2025
01/08/2025
In Committee
01/08/2025
01/08/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 General Assembly
Bill Summary
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the right to legal counsel in immigration court proceedings and providing for the administration thereof
AI Summary
This bill establishes a comprehensive right to legal counsel for immigrants in New York state facing immigration proceedings, creating a detailed framework for providing legal services to "covered individuals" who meet specific eligibility criteria. The bill defines a "covered individual" as an income-eligible person in immigration detention, subject to removal proceedings, or with significant connections to New York state, including New York state domiciliaries and those with immigration cases in New York tribunals. The legislation mandates that eligible individuals have the right to legal representation in various immigration-related proceedings, including immigration court hearings, USCIS proceedings, federal court petitions, and appellate processes. The bill creates an administrative structure overseen by the director of the New York state office for new Americans, who will be responsible for implementing the program, establishing eligibility criteria, monitoring legal service quality, collecting data, and submitting annual reports to state leadership. A nine-member advisory committee will collaborate with the administrator to develop policies and procedures. The state will establish a dedicated funding mechanism to support these legal services, with provisions ensuring that the funding supplements rather than replaces existing legal support resources. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that it does not create a private right of action and is designed to work within existing legal frameworks while expanding legal support for immigrants in New York.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (60)
Catalina Cruz (D)*,
George Alvarez (D),
Khaleel Anderson (D),
Didi Barrett (D),
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (D),
Alex Bores (D),
Chris Burdick (D),
Noah Burroughs (D),
Robert Carroll (D),
Sarah Clark (D),
William Colton (D),
Vivian Cook (D),
Brian Cunningham (D),
Maritza Davila (D),
Manny De Los Santos (D),
Jeffrey Dinowitz (D),
Harvey Epstein (D),
Charles Fall (D),
Emily Gallagher (D),
Eddie Gibbs (D),
Deborah Glick (D),
Jessica González-Rojas (D),
Andrew Hevesi (D),
Larinda Hooks (D),
Pamela Hunter (D),
Alicia Hyndman (D),
Chantel Jackson (D),
Jonathan Jacobson (D),
Anna Kelles (D),
Ron Kim (D),
Charles Lavine (D),
Grace Lee (D),
Dana Levenberg (D),
Zohran Mamdani (D),
Demond Meeks (D),
Marcela Mitaynes (D),
Steve Otis (D),
Amy Paulin (D),
Steven Raga (D),
Phil Ramos (D),
Karines Reyes (D),
Jon Rivera (D),
Gabriella Romero (D),
Linda Rosenthal (D),
Nily Rozic (D),
Rebecca Seawright (D),
Amanda Septimo (D),
Maryjane Shimsky (D),
Sarahana Shrestha (D),
Jo Anne Simon (D),
Tony Simone (D),
Michaelle Solages (D),
Phara Souffrant Forrest (D),
Yudelka Tapia (D),
Al Taylor (D),
Emerita Torres (D),
Claire Valdez (D),
Latrice Walker (D),
David Weprin (D),
Jaime Williams (D),
Last Action
referred to codes (on 01/08/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A270 |
| BillText | https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A00270&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y&Committee%26nbspVotes=Y&Floor%26nbspVotes=Y#A00270 |
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