The Bronx, NY – Following Governor Hochul’s State of the State address on January 13, The Bronx Defenders issued the following statement:

“Governor Hochul’s State of the State outlined policy and budget priorities that will directly shape the lives of the nearly 20,000 people we represent each year in criminal, family, civil, and immigration courts. These are families, children, tenants, and immigrants navigating systems with enormous power over their freedom. What the Governor chooses to prioritize will profoundly influence their futures.

“The Governor is rightly focused on supporting our youth, but any serious commitment to invest in their futures must include reforms to our legal system. Nearly $1 billion remains undistributed for mental health, education, alternatives to incarceration, and other community-based supports as part of the landmark Raise the Age legislation. The State must fix the funding structure so these dollars can quickly and efficiently reach all localities who need them.

“Other pressing reforms to our legal system include passing the Youth Justice & Opportunities Act, which would help young people avoid excessive punishment and the lifelong barriers that follow them into adulthood when involved in the legal system. The Right 2 Remain Silent Act would also ensure young people can consult with counsel before custodial interrogation; a basic safeguard that recognizes how easily children can be pressured into waiving their rights. These are reforms that strengthen safety by treating youth as youth with futures worth protecting.

“And the same principle applies to the immigration system: New Yorkers cannot be safe, stable, or connected to services when seeking help could put them at risk. As immigrant New Yorkers face escalating detention and deportation under the current federal administration — and with ICE and CBP allowed to act with impunity — State action this year to prohibit state and local resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement is urgently needed.

“It is not enough to emphasize due process rights and the protection of sensitive locations, important as those steps are. Without bright-line limits on state and local cooperation, people will continue to avoid calling for help, accessing government services, or participating in civic life for fear of detention and deportation.

“State lawmakers must bring New York up to date with other states by passing the New York For All Act. If our elected leaders are serious about protecting New Yorkers and improving public safety overall, this is the bill that will do that.

“Finally, New York cannot protect communities without fully funding the nonprofits providing critical social and legal services. That includes strong investments in supportive housing and family, immigration, and civil legal services — and moving swiftly toward a statewide right to counsel in housing court, so access to counsel does not depend on where a tenant lives.

“We urge the Governor and Legislature to center the people most impacted by these systems and invest in solutions proven to keep communities safe, stable, and whole.”

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