First New York gave drivers licenses to illegal immigrants, and now the next step.
Individuals facing deportation would have a statutory right to a lawyer if they can’t afford one under legislation introduced Wednesday.
State Sen. Brad Hoylman, who is sponsoring the legislation, said immigrants with attorneys are more likely to win their case compared to those without. Under the current system, his office says people facing deportation must depend on nonprofit attorneys or go up against the judicial system by themselves.
“For an immigrant facing deportation, having an attorney on their case can be the difference between staying in New York or being separated from their family,” the Manhattan Democrat said in a statement.
State Assembly member Catalina Cruz, a supporter of the bill, said thousands of immigrants across the state face possible deportation but do not have a meaningful chance to be heard.
“They are our friends, our neighbors, our loved ones,” she said in a statement. “Our nation was and is built on their backs, and they have built their lives on the promises of our nation.”
Illegal immigrants are just a stone throw away from voting rights in New York. Stay tuned!
(AP)
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2 Responses
We have rapidly approached Midas S’dom. I was always puzzled by the Mishna in Pirkei Avos: שלי שלי ושלך שלך זו מדת סדום. I know it is the second opinion in the Mishna, but it seems odd that one would call the apparent morality Midas S’dom. It is no longer quite so odd. The idea that one can “legislate” what one believes to be morally correct places the basis of this on one’s personal perception, not the Divinely inspired value. That can lead one to take the matter of “rights” to extremes that violate true morality, just that it sounds benevolent and “proper”.
Why is this insane? There are many lawyers in New York who need work. Isn’t it understood that the function of the government is to provide parnasah for lawyers.