NYC funds immigrant legal services at five Queens providers

Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Bitta Mostofi announced the awards Wednesday. Photo via MOIA

By David Brand

Five Queens-based social service organizations are among a handful of nonprofit groups awarded millions from the city to enhance legal counsel and case management to undocumented immigrant New Yorkers.

In total, 21 community-based organizations received $16 million in ActionNYC grants from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and Department of Social Services/Human Resources Administration. The funding allows the organizations to provide free, comprehensive immigration legal screenings, legal representation, accurate immigration-related information and referrals to other resources.

“At a time when immigrant families continue to face cruel, xenophobic threats by the Trump Administration, New York City continues to stand with our immigrant communities,” said Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Bitta Mostofi.

The Queens-based organizations include Chhaya Community Development Corporation in Jackson Heights and Richmond Hill, Make the Road New York in Jackson Heights, Jacob A Riis Neighborhood Settlement in Long Island City, MinKwon Center for Community Action in Flushing and Sunnyside Community Services in Sunnyside

“This award to serve as an ActionNYC host site in partnership with our colleagues at Sunnyside Community Services will greatly increase our capacity to meet that need and further our goal to help our immigrant community members thrive,” said Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement Executive Director Christopher Hanway.

Other organizations that received the grant, like the Chinese American Planning Council and Catholic Charities Community Services, also provide services for Queens residents.