Category: Press Statements
NYC Public Defenders Join National Day of Action Calling for Increased Funding and Reduced Workloads
(NEW YORK, NY) — The Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Defender Services, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, The Bronx Defenders, and New York County Defender Services issued the following statement on today’s national Day of Action for Public Defense, in response to San Francisco Chief Public Defender Mano Raju — who was recently held in contempt […]
The Bronx Defenders Sue DOC for Stonewalling Records Request on Rikers Legal Visits
NEW YORK CITY – On April 14, The Bronx Defenders filed a petition against New York City’s Department of Correction for unlawfully denying a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request investigating systemic violations of incarcerated people’s constitutional right to counsel at Rikers Island. “The DOC’s own records show that Rikers staff interfere with our clients’ […]
Governor Hochul’s Latest Immigration Proposal Will Increase Collusion With ICE and Put Thousands of New Yorkers In Danger
Albany, NY – Today, Governor Kathy Hochul announced an update to her immigration proposal that would allow local police to collude with ICE when they believe they have probable cause to charge someone with a crime. In response, Immigration Policy Director Rosa Cohen-Cruz issued the following statement on behalf of The Bronx Defenders: “By allowing […]
Joint Written Testimony Examining Racial Disparities in New York City’s Family Policing System and the Need for Family Miranda Rights
New York City Council Committee on Children and Youth Examining Racial Disparities in New York City’s Family Policing System and the Need for Family Miranda Rights February 26, 2026 Written Testimony of the Article 10 Family Defense Organizations in New York City: The Bronx Defenders, Brooklyn Defender Services, Center for Family Representation, and Neighborhood Defender […]
New York for All Coalition Responds to Governor Hochul’s Proposed Bill Addressing Protections for Immigrants and Calls for Passage of the New York for All Act
Today, Governor Hochul introduced a proposal acknowledging the grave harm of New York local law enforcement colluding with ICE. In response, the New York for All Coalition, comprised of directly impacted families, advocacy, labor, faith, youth, and direct service organizations from across New York State, issued the following statement: “The emergence of the Governor’s proposed […]
The Safer Sanctuary Act Protects an Historic Law; Now Is The Time to Strengthen Sanctuary Further
New York, NY – On Thursday January 29, 2026, the New York City Council voted to override Mayor Adams’ lame duck veto of the Safer Sanctuary Act. In response, the ICE Out! NYC Coalition issued the following statement: “Thanks to the efforts of Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, Councilmember Alexa Avilés, Speaker Julie Menin, and their supermajority […]
Stop-and-Frisk on Wheels: NYCLU, NAACP, The Bronx Defenders Sue NYPD for Illegal Racial Profiling, Searches of NYC Drivers
The NYPD subjects Black and Latino drivers to suspicionless vehicle searches at racially disparate levels similar to those at the height of Stop & Frisk New York City, NY – Today, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), The Bronx Defenders and Milbank LLP filed a lawsuit on behalf of the NAACP New York State Conference […]
The Bronx Defenders Statement in Response to Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State Address
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 […]
To Truly Stand with Immigrant New Yorkers, Governor Hochul Must Work With Legislature to Pass ‘New York For All’ This Year
Albany, NY – Following Governor Hochul’s State of the State address, The New York for All Coalition, comprised of directly impacted families, advocacy, labor, faith, youth, and direct service organizations from across New York State, issued the following statement: “Across the country, State leaders are rising up to stop the Trump administration’s brutal, violent, racist, […]
Hundreds of New Yorkers March for the Disappeared at the Capitol, Calling on Albany to Pass New York for All Act
Photos and videos available here Albany, N.Y. – Hundreds of union members, faith leaders, civil rights and legal advocates and community members across New York State marched at the Capitol today for New Yorkers disappeared by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), calling out ICE’s brutal tactics and demanding leaders in Albany pass the New York for […]