New York City Insider: Rep. Espaillat Leads Congressional Briefing on the 'State of Play' of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 29, 2022

Representative Adriano Espaillat Holds Congressional Briefing on the 'State of Play' of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. Espaillat Reaffirms His Efforts And Fight For the More Than 600,000 Dreamers Protected Under DACA.   WASHINGTON, DC –Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) hosted a Member-level congressional briefing for his colleagues and congressional staff to discuss the current state of play for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which is known as DACA, ahead of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision, expected soon, regarding the program’s future.  During the briefing, Rep. Espaillat was joined by Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, Deputy Director of Federal Advocacy of United We Dream (UWD); Todd Schulte, President & Executive Director of FWD.us; Andrea Senteno, Washington D.C. regional counsel at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF); Ignacia Rodriguez Kmec, Immigration Policy Advocate, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC). Leaders discussed the fate and potential impact for the nearly 600,000 Dreamers protected under the DACA program and next steps and actions to protect them. “I am appreciative to the immigration policy leaders and everyone who joined for this important briefing on the state of play of DACA and the legislative path ahead to ensure permanent protections are passed in Congress this year," said Espaillat.  "The future of DACA recipients' ability to renew their work authorization and deportation protections is at risk pending litigation in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. This is not the first time the program has been jeopardized, but this current threat is the most severe that DACA has faced to date. We understand what is at stake and cannot allow these young people to slip through the cracks or their future to be put at risk. "We will fight and reaffirm our commitment to finally being able to provide DACA recipients the opportunity to work, live, and contribute fully to the only country they know as home. This is an incredible time in the history of our nation to deliver immigration reform, and we must meet the moment and deliver protections for hardworking immigrant communities across the country."  “Thank you, Congressman Espaillat for leading this informative discussion. As a DACA recipient, I am grateful for this policy’s opportunity and for what it has provided my family. However, we know that DACA is under incredible threat in the courts and from extremist Republicans from around the nation and we must be prepared for the policy changes that will negatively impact not just DACA recipients, but their families, and millions of Americans. Today’s forum is so vital in our efforts to urge Congress to act now to pass permanent protections for immigrant youth and DACA recipients by the end of this year. Congress must not fail these young people and must finally provide them the stability we all need to thrive,” said Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, Deputy Director of Federal Advocacy of United We Dream (UWD). The purpose of today's briefing was to educate and update Members of Congress and congressional staff on the latest DACA updates to create urgency around passing legislation by end of this year and the 117th Congress to protect immigrant youth, and to encourage others to speak out publicly about the urgency for the need for immigration reform. H.R. 6 has great bipartisan support and Americans overwhelmingly support providing Dreamers with a pathway to citizenship.    Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

New York City Insider: Following Hurricane Fiona, Espaillat Visits Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to Assess Devastation.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 27, 2022

Following Hurricane Fiona, Espaillat Visits Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to Assess Devastation.   Member Urges Comprehensive Federal Relief and International Aid to the Region.   NEW YORK, NY – Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement upon return from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to assess damage following Hurricane Fiona, which made landfall to the region last week and left at least 16 people dead and thousands without power or running water. Earlier today, Rep. Espaillat joined New York City Mayor Adams and city leaders in support of the region affected by the storm.  “We have witnessed catastrophic devastation across Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic due to Hurricane Fiona, and it will require a multi-level government approach to ensure vital resources to the region and in a timely manner,” said Rep. Espaillat. “New York City will not leave our brothers and sisters behind, and I welcomed the opportunity to join Mayor Adams and members of the New York City Emergency Management team to assess the damage in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and we stand ready to ensure the necessary assistance to help individuals and families throughout the region.” During the assessment tour, Rep. Espaillat and members of the NYC delegation met with San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero and Dominican President Luis Abinader to discuss recovery efforts to the region following damage from Hurricane Fiona.    Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

New York City Insider: Congressman Adriano Espaillat to Host Community Coffee Event with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. This Saturday in the District.

 

For Immediate Release September 23, 2022

Congressman Adriano Espaillat to Host Community Coffee Event with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. This Saturday in the District. 10:00AM: Saturday, September 24th at Common Good Harlem Located at 2801 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY  10039. NEW YORK, NY - Join Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) this Saturday, September 24th at 10:00 a.m. for his next signature “Coffee With Your Congressman” event at Common Good Harlem located at 2801 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10039. During the discussion, Rep. Espaillat will be joined by the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Harlem. These informal events provide residents the opportunity to discuss their concerns and share ideas on how to make improvements throughout New York’s 13th congressional district. All events are public, and residents are required to RSVP prior to attendance by emailing RSVP.Espaillat@mail.house.gov or calling 212-497-5959.

New York City Insider: Espaillat Convenes Leaders for Disaster Relief Strategy for Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 20, 2022

Representative Adriano Espaillat Convenes Leaders for Disaster Relief Strategy for Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. Member Leads Urgent Response to Hurricane Fiona’s Catastrophic Flooding in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.   WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) held a strategy planning call with leaders from New York, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and emergency service organizations in response to Hurricane Fiona. The purpose of the call was to engage critical stakeholders to discuss pressing on-the-ground needs and encourage federal partners to share resources available to safeguard the livelihood of millions of Hurricane Fiona survivors. “We have witnessed catastrophic devastation across Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and it will require a multi-level government approach to ensure vital resources to the region and in a timely manner,” said Rep. Espaillat. “I have been working with authorities in the region to address what resources are needed and stand ready to ensure assistance is available to help individuals and families who need our help now more than ever.” “We thank Congressman Espaillat for his leadership to help coordinate assistance to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Fiona,” said Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, Carmen M. Feliciano. “While we continue to assess the scope of the damages, governor Pierluisi’s administration is working closely with federal government officials to continue the quick response and protect life and property.” “The American Red Cross is grateful for the offer of support of Congressman Espaillat and the offers from the state of New York to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico. Five years ago, the state of New York’s assistance enabled the Red Cross to provide relief to our neighbors in Puerto Rico, all across the island. Today, in the immediate aftermath of Fiona, the Red Cross is helping to provide shelter, food and comfort. In the days and weeks ahead, the Red Cross will be there to provide additional support as needs continue to evolve,” said Chief Executive Office for the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross, Mary J. Barneby. “New York knows full well the devastating impact that Mother Nature can bring, and that is why we stand ready to help the people of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic recover and rebuild from this terrible storm," said Governor Hochul. "Our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are incredibly resilient, but I promise that New York will be there to help in any way we can." “As Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic seek to respond to Hurricane Fiona, New Yorkers are concerned and here to help,” said Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos, MSW. “Thank you Rep. Espaillat for taking the lead to help coordinate this emergency assistance as we work to ensure that city, state, and federal resources reach communities in need.” "The impact of this devastating natural disaster hits close to home as a multitude of my district, which encompasses Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill, have family in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic who are in need of supplies and other disaster relief,” said Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa. “From that pain and resiliency, our community has mobilized quickly to gather volunteers, funds, and resources to send aid. Our hearts are with the people of the Caribbean, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely." “I proudly joined Congressman Espaillat as he convened state, local, and international leaders to address the ongoing catastrophe in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu. “As the Chair of the City Council’s Committee on State and Federal Legislation, I am committed to bringing humanitarian relief to families devastated by Hurricane Fiona. Countless New Yorkers, including myself, have family members in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and we have an obligation to support families."   Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

New York City Insider: Espaillat Urges Passage of Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act Amid Hurricane Fiona.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 19, 2022

Representative Adriano Espaillat Urges House Passage of His Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act Amid Hurricane Fiona. Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act (H.R. 3037) Would Ease Access to Vital Resources for Natural Disaster Survivors, Critical During Hurricane Season.   WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement in response to Hurricane Fiona, which has caused catastrophic flooding in Puerto Rico as the island was hit this weekend and remains without power.  This weekend, President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for Puerto Rico, which authorizes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid to help bolster the island’s emergency disaster relief efforts.  “Across the nation, millions of people now confront dangerously hot and dry conditions, terrible wildfires, and stronger hurricanes. It is well recognized that the most disadvantaged and low-income households in America are frequently the ones who suffer the most from natural disasters and have the fewest resources to recover afterwards. These households frequently encounter unnecessary and avoidable roadblocks to receiving the support they require to recover despite the obvious need,” said Espaillat. “We witnessed catastrophic devastation across Puerto Rico this past weekend, and I stand ready to assist my congressional colleagues in providing the necessary resources to the island’s recovery,” he continued. “In the wake of past major disasters, it became apparent that many survivors were having their housing assistance applications denied by FEMA because of the overwhelming documentation the agency requires to prove ownership of damaged property. These actions have resulted in families waiting months to receive housing assistance simply due to unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. In some cases, they never receive housing assistance at all. This is unacceptable and a terrible flaw in our assistance for major disaster survivors, and we urge House passage of this critical legislation to help remedy this critical failing in our system to help families address the desperate and basic humanitarian needs.  "I have been working with authorities in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to address what resources are needed and stand ready to ensure these resources throughout the region to help individuals and families who urgently need our help now,” Espaillat concluded. Reps. Espaillat and Jenniffer González-Colón (PR-At-Large) reintroduced the Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act, which passed favorably out of committee earlier this year. The bill will enable applicants to declare ownership of their homes without having to undertake efforts to locate deeds, leases, or other previously required documentation following a natural disaster. It will broaden the array of possible proof of residence, making it easier for families to access critical assistance after a storm. Additionally, the bill prohibits FEMA from requiring the notarization of disaster housing assistance applications, often an impossible requirement to meet when communities are in the initial stages of recovering from natural disasters and a bottleneck in the processing of applications for assistance. And most importantly, this bill would expand housing assistance eligibility to other forms of housing, such as mobile homes.   The Senate companion bill will be introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who has championed the legislation in the Senate. Last Congress, the bill was co-sponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Amy J. Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-PA), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), and Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR). The Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act has been endorsed by the Hispanic Federation, UnidosUS, and the National Low-Income Housing Coalition.   Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

New York City Insider: Statement from Representative Adriano Espaillat Following Tragic Death of Asylum Seeker.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 19, 2022

Statement from Representative Adriano Espaillat Following Tragic Death of Asylum Seeker.  NEW YORK, NY – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement in response to the tragic death of an asylum seeker at a New York City shelter: "Our hearts are broken and there are simply no words to express the impact of this tragedy. We must do all we can to support asylum seekers and families--in this critical time when so much and so many lives are at stake," said Espaillat. "I urge all levels of government to continue to work in partnership to provide services, including mental health, nutrition, education and housing for our New Yorkers."   Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

New York City Insider: Espaillat Statement on Ongoing Efforts to Support Migrants from Texas, Florida, Arizona to New York City and Other Locations.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 17, 2022

Statement from Representative Adriano Espaillat on Ongoing Efforts to Support Migrants from Texas, Florida, Arizona to New York City and Other Locations.   NEW YORK, NY – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement reaffirming his support of the migrant families being brought to New York City and other locations by Republican governors from Texas, Florida, and Arizona. “New York City is welcoming and compassionate. As a right to shelter city, we have a moral and legal obligation to provide asylum seekers the right to seek refuge—and we will never turn anyone away, whether they are fleeing authoritarian regimes like that of Maduro or violence in Ukraine, our city and this nation will and must welcome refugee families,” said Rep. Espaillat. “The actions of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey are shameful. Playing political games with the lives of these families is inhumane, cruel, and evil. Governor Abbott and others are further perpetuating authoritarian ideals and using these families as political pawns. “Buses have been arriving to New York City for months, and more are expected tomorrow. Our compassion and willingness to answer the call of others during the time of their greatest need—is what makes our city strong. I vow to continue my efforts and work in collaboration with officials and advocates at the federal, state and city levels to ensure a whole government approach to support municipalities with resources to assist asylum seeking families who need our assistance today, more than ever."   Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.