Testimony: Recently-Arrived Migrants and Asylum-Seekers Need Stronger Resources and Services

September 30, 2022
4:51 pm

New York’s legal and shelter system are overloaded and unprepared to serve newly-arrived migrants and asylum–seekers. Jodi Ziesemer, director of NYLAG’s Immigrant Protection Unit testified on September 30, 2022 before the NYC Council Committee on Immigration, advocating for stronger resources and services for newly-arrived asylum seekers. Ziesemer argued for a greater investment of resources into immigration attorneys across the city, pro se application assistance clinics, and non-profit legal service organizations facing a crisis with recruitment, training, and space for new attorneys.

Share this post

Settlement in Amin v. Kijakazi

October 11, 2023 No Comments

On April 3, 2023, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved a settlement agreement in Amin v. Kijakazi, 15-cv-07429 (EDNY) that provides for wide-reaching relief for SSA’s systemic failure to timely process non-disability appeals at the local office level.

NBC News: Venezuelan migrants apply for temporary protected status with renewed urgency as deportations are set to resume

October 11, 2023 No Comments

The new expansion of temporary protected status (TPS) for recent arrivals from Venezuela has positively impacted millions but there is a fear those who’ve arrived in the U.S. over the past two months may be vulnerable to deportation. NBC News spoke with NYLAG’s Jodi Ziesemer about how we’re (NYLAG) preparing to assist Venezuelans with their TPS applications and providing legal, educational workshops and consultations.

Testimony: New York City Council Oversight Hearing Before the Committee on Public Housing RE: $78.34 Billion: NYCHA’s Physical Needs Assessment

September 22, 2023 No Comments

Public Housing Justice Project Director Anna Luft and Staff Attorney Sophie Cohen represented NYLAG at City Hall to testify that NYCHA’s Physical Needs Assessment is no excuse to forgo repairs or privatize public housing.

Statement: NYLAG Celebrates Venezuelan TPS Announcement

September 21, 2023 No Comments

We at NYLAG are thrilled that recent arrivals from Venezuela will now be protected and better able to pursue a path toward work authorization and asylum. Our full statement from our President and CEO Lisa Rivera and our Immigrant Protection Unit Director and Associate Director Jodi Ziesemer and Melissa Chua.

Financial Planning Magazine: The Price of Escape-Why Ukrainian Refugees are Losing their Savings in America

August 17, 2023 No Comments

NYLAG’s Jodi Ziesemer spoke to Financial Planning about the financial hardship many Ukrainians face when they seek refuge in the U.S. to escape the war in their home country.

Testimony: City’s Shelter Policies for Recent Immigrants are Discriminatory

August 10, 2023 No Comments

NYLAG’s Deborah Berkman testified before the New York City Council Committees on General Welfare and Immigration about the harms of a recently implemented 60-day limit on shelter stays for adult migrants.