New York’s immigration landscape is shifting fast. Two major developments are directly affecting immigrants in New York City right now: the state legislature is finalizing the New York For All Act, which would formally restrict police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and USCIS has placed an adjudication pause on applications from individuals connected to 19 countries. Here’s what you need to know — and who to call if you’re affected.
Immigration law changes frequently. Verify current rules with a licensed immigration attorney. This article is general information, not legal advice. Contact an immigration attorney for your specific situation.
Who This Helps: Immigrants in New York City, mixed-status families, DACA recipients, asylum seekers, individuals with pending USCIS applications, and community members who want to understand their rights under current law.
The New York For All Act: What It Would Do
The New York State Legislature is close to passing the New York For All Act, a sweeping immigration protection bill that goes further than any previous New York law. As of early April 2026, negotiations are ongoing, with the governor and legislature in active discussions. According to the New York State Senate and reporting by City & State New York, the bill has broad legislative support.
Key Provisions
Police-ICE cooperation ban: The bill would formally prohibit local law enforcement agencies from entering into 287(g) agreements with federal immigration authorities — agreements that currently allow local police departments to act as immigration enforcement agents.
Information sharing limits: The legislation would restrict all forms of collaboration between local government entities and federal immigration enforcement. Under the proposed bill, local agencies could not share information with federal immigration authorities or assist with enforcement operations without a judicial warrant.
Warrant requirement: Federal immigration authorities would need a judicial warrant (signed by a judge) — not just an administrative detainer (a form ICE issues on its own) — to obtain cooperation from local law enforcement.
Where It Stands
The state Senate and Assembly have both expressed support for immediate, permanent protections. Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed a sunset date of July 1, 2029, but the Senate and Assembly have pushed back, seeking permanent restrictions. Negotiations are continuing. The bill has not yet been signed into law as of April 2026.
What’s Already in Place in New York City
Even before the New York For All Act passes, New York City has significant protections in place. Mayor Mamdani’s February 2026 Executive Order reaffirmed NYC’s sanctuary status, according to the NYC Mayor’s Office, with new enforcement requirements:
- Federal authorities cannot enter city-owned property — including schools, shelters, hospitals, parking lots, and public spaces — without a judicial warrant
- Each city agency was required to appoint a privacy officer and certify compliance within 14 days
- Restrictions on sharing personal information with federal immigration enforcement agencies
The city has distributed nearly 32,000 “Know Your Rights” flyers and booklets to faith institutions across NYC, available in 10 languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, French, Bangla, Russian, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Urdu, and Yiddish. To request materials: contact the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) at 212-788-7654.
The USCIS Adjudication Pause: What It Means for Your Application
Separately from New York’s state-level actions, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has paused adjudication on certain immigration benefit applications from individuals born in or citizens of 19 specific countries. This is a federal action affecting applicants nationally, including many New Yorkers.
What the Pause Means
- Applicants from affected countries can still file their applications
- USCIS will not issue final decisions on those applications while the pause is in effect
- No end date for the pause has been announced
- USCIS has also indicated it is reviewing previously approved benefits dating back to January 2021
Who Is Affected
This pause affects individuals with pending USCIS applications — including applications for green cards, naturalization, work authorization, and other immigration benefits — if they were born in or are citizens of one of the 19 affected countries. Organizations like Catholic Charities, which serves approximately 5,000 immigrants annually in the New York area, have reported significant case backlogs as a result.
What You Should Do If Your Application Is Pending
- Contact a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative immediately — do not navigate this alone
- Do not withdraw your application without legal advice — withdrawals can have serious consequences
- Document everything: Keep copies of all notices, receipts, and correspondence from USCIS
- Check your case status at uscis.gov/case-status using your receipt number
- Contact your congressional representatives — U.S. Senators and House members can make congressional inquiries to USCIS on your behalf
Free and Low-Cost Immigration Legal Help in NYC
New York City funds more than $120 million in free immigrant legal services annually, according to the NYC Comptroller’s Immigrant Rights and Services Manual. Here’s where to go:
Hotlines — Call First
NYC Immigration Legal Support Hotline
📞 800-354-0365 | Monday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM
Operated by the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
NYS Office for New Americans Immigration Hotline
📞 1-800-566-7636 | Monday–Friday, 9 AM–8 PM ET
Available in over 200 languages
Legal Aid Organizations
The Legal Aid Society — Immigration Law Unit
📞 212-577-3300 or 888-663-6680 (Monday–Friday, 10 AM–3 PM)
🌐 legalaidnyc.org
Services: Removal defense, DACA, asylum, VAWA, citizenship, NYIFUP (free representation for ICE-detained individuals)
Locations: All five boroughs
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
📍 7 Hanover Square, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004
📞 212-613-5000 | ✉️ intake@nylag.org
🌐 nylag.org
Services: Naturalization, family petitions, asylum, SIJS, T & U visas, VAWA, removal defense
Immigrant ARC
📍 307 West 38th Street, New York, NY 10018
📞 212-367-1181 | Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
🌐 immigrantarc.org
New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)
📍 131 W. 33rd St., Suite 610, New York, NY 10001
📞 212-627-2227
🌐 nyic.org
Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights
📍 5030 Broadway, Suite 650, New York, NY 10034
📞 212-781-0355
UnLocal (Community Immigration Legal Services)
📞 (646) 233-0967
🌐 unlocal.org
How to Take Action
- Call the NYC Immigration Hotline: 800-354-0365 — they can connect you to the right legal service based on your situation
- Know you cannot be questioned about your immigration status at NYC public schools, hospitals, or shelters — city policy prohibits this
- If approached by immigration authorities: You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer. You are not required to open your door without a judicial warrant. Say clearly: “I am exercising my right to remain silent and my right to consult an attorney.”
- Get Know Your Rights materials in your language: Contact MOIA at 212-788-7654 or visit nyc.gov/immigrants
- If you have a pending USCIS case: Track it at uscis.gov/case-status and contact a legal aid organization as soon as possible
- IDNYC: New York City’s municipal ID card is available to all NYC residents regardless of immigration status. Apply at nyc.gov/idnyc
Related Help from HelpNewYork
- NYC Immigration Resources Guide 2026: Free Legal Help, IDNYC, and Your Rights — our comprehensive resource guide
- Know Your Rights as a NYC Tenant — housing rights that apply regardless of immigration status
- NYC Safety and Preparedness: Spring 2026 — safety resources for all New Yorkers
The New York For All Act isn’t law yet — but its passage would formalize protections that many New Yorkers already rely on under the mayor’s executive order. Separately, if you have a pending USCIS application and are concerned about the adjudication pause, the most important step is connecting with a legal aid organization immediately. Free help exists. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Immigration law changes frequently. Verify current rules with a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative.
