The CARE for Immigrant Families coalition kicks off its 2026 campaign with a press conference at Foley Square in Lower Manhattan, joined by legislators, legal service providers, advocates, and directly impacted families.

Speakers include:

• Assemblymember Catalina Cruz

• Senator Michael Gianaris

• Senator John Liu

Why this campaign matters

CARE — the Campaign for Access, Representation, and Equity for Immigrant Families — is pushing New York State to fully fund immigration legal services and pass two key bills:

• The Access to Representation Act (A270/S141) would be the first law in the nation to create a statewide right to a lawyer for people facing deportation who cannot afford representation, whether they arrived recently or have been New Yorkers for decades. Care4immigrants

• The BUILD Act (A2689/S4538), a companion bill, would create a dedicated four-year fund for immigration legal services infrastructure. Care4immigrants

The campaign is backed by a statewide coalition including the New York Immigration Coalition, Immigrant ARC, the Vera Institute of Justice, and more than 100 organizations, legal service providers, labor unions, faith groups, and elected officials. Care4immigrants

Event Details
📅 Thursday, January 8, 2026
🕤 9:30 AM
📍 Foley Square, New York City