Immigrant Labor in New York Under the Pandemic

Advocates discussed immigrant labor fights for home healthcare workers, restaurant workers and the laundry industry.

Immigrant Labor in New York Under the Pandemic

By Deanna Garcia, Documented NY The pandemic has made labor conditions worse for many low wage immigrant workers, but it has also created a galvanizing moment for workers rights organizations across the city. This was the theme of Documented’s second virtual panel discussion on immigration issues in New York City. Amir Khafagy, a freelance journalist […]

What NY’s Marijuana Legalization Law Means for Immigrants

Advocates are cheered by a provision of the newly-passed MRTA law, which will establish a process for immigrant New Yorkers to vacate past marijuana convictions in court, to ensure past offenses don’t jeopardize their status.

What NY’s Marijuana Legalization Law Means for Immigrants

A store in New York selling cannabidiol (CBD) extract products, the non-psychoactive component of marijuana. – New York NY/USA-April 6, 2019 (Shutterstock) By Jeanmarie Evelly, City Limits Earlier this week, New York legalized adult-use marijuana, paving the way for a new recreational cannabis industry in the state that lawmakers say will generate jobs and tax […]

President and First Lady, Speaker Pelosi, and Senator Manchin Call for Action on Pathways to Citizenship

President and First Lady, Speaker Pelosi, and Senator Manchin Call for Action on Pathways to Citizenship

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, speaking at the Democratic National Convention Summer Meeting in San Francisco, California. – San Francisco, CA – August 23, 2019 (Shutterstock) By AV Press Releases Leading Democrats this week spoke out on the urgent need to move forward with pathways to citizenship as a priority.  President Biden, First Lady […]

West African Hair Braiding Industry Is Being Destroyed by the Pandemic

As the COVID pandemic continues to harm businesses in New York City, West African hair braiders find other ways to survive.

West African Hair Braiding Industry Is Being Destroyed by the Pandemic

By Houreidja Tall, Documented NY Before the pandemic, West African hair braiding salons in Harlem were a one-stop shop for advice among hair braiders and clients. They were newsgathering posts and were spaces where people would stop by to sell jewelry, body lotions and snacks. Shops are spaces for camaraderie. “I come to 125th [street […]

Are We Looking at the Fourth Covid-19 Surge, Already?

Are We Looking at the Fourth Covid-19 Surge, Already?

Empty New York City Subway Train Above Ground during the Covid-19 Pandemic – January 4 2021 (Shutterstock) The US is at a pivotal juncture in its fight against Covid-19. Though nearly 2.5 million Americans are being vaccinated every day, infection levels have now come to a plateau across the nation. And while some states have […]

New York lawmakers want to give billions of dollars to undocumented, former inmates

New York lawmakers want to give billions of dollars to undocumented, former inmates

By Bill Mahoney, Politico ALBANY, N.Y. — State lawmakers in New York appear close to agreeing on a multibillion-dollar fund to provide unemployment benefits to undocumented immigrants and former prison inmates who have been excluded from federal aid packages since the start of the pandemic. Talks between legislators and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office have progressed […]

Black Immigrants Matter

In immigration, as in policing, every arm of the US incarceration and deportation machine brings down a hefty amount of its weight onto the backs of Black people.

Black Immigrants Matter

Group of African immigrants working on bicycles for food delivery service. – Turin,Italy – February 21, 2020 (Shutterstock) By Jack Herrera, The Nation The day after a Minneapolis Police officer killed George Floyd, Guerline Jozef’s mind was in the skies above the Gulf of Mexico. That morning, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had forced 30 […]