With the Randall's Island Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center closing, immigrant advocates want the other such centers closed, too.

The centers were built to accommodate the influx of migrants from the southern border but they have been decried for poor health and safety conditions. Some Congressional leaders consider the Floyd Bennett Field relief center a disaster.

Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, said the city's shelter system is better equipped to help newly arriving migrants despite its imperfections.

"It is a system that has an infrastructure and staffing as well as facilities that they can use that are appropriate to shelter individuals seeking a place to stay while they get on their feet," Awawdeh pointed out.

However, shelters have been inundated with migrants since day one. New estimates showed 64,000 migrants spread across 200 of New York City's shelters. Awawdeh noted Randalls Island itself presented challenges for migrants since there is little access to public transportation or necessary services. He stressed from here, the conversation for migrants and other New Yorkers in shelters must center around their ability to assimilate into life in the city and thrive.

Another challenge migrants are dealing with is anti-immigrant policies from Mayor Eric Adams. One rule he issued limited migrant and asylum-seekers' shelter stays to 30 to 60 days. Awawdeh argued repealing the limits could improve migrant outcomes.

"We should be removing the 30- and 60-day limit so that people who actually need additional support are getting it," Awawdeh contended. "Then once they get that support more than likely they will be getting out on their own two feet being able to fully integrate within the city."

A New York City Comptroller report showed the rule's implementation was disorganized because other services migrants need are inadequate.


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A northwest Texas family is waiting to hear from agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a recent traffic stop.

Jose is in the country illegally and was taken into custody by ICE agents after he and his wife, Ashley, were stopped by Lubbock police. Ashley said the incident was traumatizing for her and their three children.

"My oldest son, he was crying, because they were being really rough with his dad," Ashley explained. "They're slamming him against the window where he's at, and he's asking, 'Why are they taking him?' And I'm trying to explain to my 4-year-old that his dad's here illegally. He doesn't understand that."

Jose, who's from Central America, was eventually released and told to report for a hearing, but Ashley pointed out they have received conflicting information about upcoming court proceedings.

Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, an attorney in Austin representing the family, said they will fight to keep Jose from being deported. She added the couple had hired an attorney to get Jose his Green Card.

"This story highlights the fact that ICE is not just apprehending and placing people with criminal histories into immigration detention," Lincoln-Goldfinch noted. "Now, because of this incident, Jose has been placed into deportation proceedings. And this is one more person in the already backlogged immigration court system."

Ashley added if Jose is deported, she and their children will go to Central America with him.


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Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased fear and uncertainty in communities across the Sunshine State.

The Florida Immigrant Coalition has been holding legal workshops, launched a Know Your Rights webpage, and operates a statewide immigration hotline to provide resources for those at risk of deportation.

Adriana Rivera, director of communications for the coalition, said with reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids across Florida, the group is working to ensure immigrant families understand their constitutional rights, regardless of immigration status.

"There is an element of racial profiling that we are witnessing, where even the sole purpose of you speaking a different language has gotten people detained," Rivera observed.

The organization also urged immigrants to carry written scripts asserting their rights, particularly for children who may be questioned at school. Trump's executive orders have raised concerns about increased ICE access to schools, hospitals and other public spaces where enforcement actions were previously restricted.

In some Florida school districts, officials have been instructed to cooperate with ICE agents even if they refuse to allow parental notification before detaining a student. Rivera stressed all families should be making a plan.

"If you are a U.S. citizen but you speak a different language, but you look a certain way or you pray differently than you know. You're not a Christian. You should be thinking, well, what happens if, if this situation occurs, if that situation occurs," Rivera explained.

As enforcement actions escalate, advocates urged families to consult immigration lawyers as soon as possible, particularly those with Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals as Trump's policies threaten to roll back protections.


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The City of Albuquerque and local business partners have launched a "Know Your Rights" campaign to help immigrants navigate the Trump administration's deportation crackdown on undocumented individuals.

Over the next few weeks, said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, community members will have multiple opportunities to get helpful information. He said many have expressed fear and concern about the recent federal orders, but noted that Albuquerque is an immigrant-friendly city.

"There's no record-keeping of anyone's history, in general, let alone your immigration status," he said. "And also, this applies to police and fire. Police officers are not allowed to ask for your immigration status and they're also not allowed to track if they find out your immigration status."

Adding to fears posed by legitimate Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, impersonation cases have been reported in at least three states, in which men posing as ICE agents targeted and harassed people of color, threatening them with deportation.

As surveillance and arrests ramp up, Rachel LaZar, executive director of immigrant-advocacy group El Centro, reminded businesses owners and their employees that ICE agents need a search warrant to enter spaces with signage that says "private" - including a restaurant's kitchen or restroom. She encouraged all business owners to have a plan.

"And it should be a company-wide plan, or an organization-wide plan for how to respond to ICE activity," she said. "We recommend you appoint at least one person per shift, within your company, who will know how to respond."

The "Know Your Rights" series kicked off with a presentation for business owners, but the remainder of the free webinar series will focus on individuals and community groups. Sessions will be held every Wednesday through March 12. More information is online at abq.gov/OIRA.


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