New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo released new guidelines to protect immigrants, particularly the victims of crimes such as human trafficking.
On Thursday, the governor said investigative agencies including the state police, Division of Human Rights and Department of Labor can now certify or endorse non-citizen U and T visa applications.
These humanitarian visas provide protections for New York immigrants who do not have legal status. It also strengthens the ability of law enforcement to investigate and pursue criminals.
The state’s Labor Department uses the U and T visas to encourage immigrants to report employers who commit theft of workers’ wages or those who traffic and exploit individuals for their labor.
New York Ensures Crime Victims Get Justice Despite Their Immigration Status
In a statement, Cuomo once again condemned Washington’s policies on immigration.
He believes that the federal government’s immigration policies are a “relentless assault” that “had a deliberate, chilling impact on migrant communities.” Immigrants have developed “fear and distrust of law enforcement.”
