Where your story becomes our shared fight for justice
NYLAG Fights For Fair & Equal Access to Justice
Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis.
Combatting social, racial, and economic injustice
News & Resources
Newly Arrived Migrants Battle Dysfunction and a Dearth of Lawyers in New York’s Immigration Courts
Recently-arrived migrants seeking to apply for asylum in New York are being met with an overwhelmed legal system. “This is a large need that is unfunded completely,” said NYLAG’s Jodi Ziesemer, who spoke with Documented about the issue.
Bill to Require Mental Health Staff at Family Shelters Spurs Worry Over ‘Unintended Effects’
NYLAG's Deborah Berkman spoke with City Limits about a new bill that would require New York City to provide mental health services on-site at all homeless shelters that serve families with children.
Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan: What You Need to Know
On August 24, 2022, the Biden administration announced a plan for broad student loan cancellation. You may be wondering if you qualify and how the plan will be implemented. Based on what we know so far, here are some answers.
Our Impact
89,160
people impacted by our services last year
150+
community sites across NYC where we offer services
4,000
housing & foreclosure cases resulted in thousands of people keeping their homes
18,400
immigration cases handled last year, from asylum claims to deportation defense
Your Support Helps
Immigrant Parents
Veterans & Their Families
Cancer Survivors
Children with Disabilities
Help us provide free legal services to children and adults in need of a lawyer.
More News & Resources
Testimony: Asylum-Seeking Families Need More Humane Intake and Sheltering Services
NYLAG’s Deborah Berkman testifies to the Committee on General Welfare on longstanding shelter intake issues and the recent increase in asylum seekers in New York City.
Systematic Barriers Prevent Non-English Speakers from Accessing Unemployment Benefits in New York
NYLAG volunteer attorney Ciara Farrell contributed to a report detailing the systemic barriers people with limited English skills face in receiving benefits from unemployment insurance programs.
6 Questions for NYLAG’s New President and CEO, Lisa Rivera
“I think activism should be at the heart of everything we do.” We sat down with Lisa Rivera, NYLAG’s new president and CEO, to learn about her passion for amplifying client voices and why she believes legal advocates should be guided by activism.
