Res. No. 182 [See press release here]
Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign, H.R. 4937, which would provide immigration relief for New York resident Ravidath “Ravi” Lawrence Ragbir and denouncing the unlawful targeting of immigrant rights activists for deportation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Continue reading
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER
JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS
Contact: Kevin Fagan
kfagan@council.nyc.gov, 917-608-8784
February 15, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK, NY: On February 15 at City Hall, the City Council approved a resolution introduced by Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn) and Ydanis Rodriguez, (D-Manhattan) in support of Ravi Ragbir, an immigrant rights activist who was recently detained by ICE and still faces imminent deportation.
Resolution 0182, which can be read in its entirety online, calls on Congress to pass HR 4937, a private bill from Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez that would grant Ragbir legal permanent status, and in the case of his deportation, a legal right to return to the United States. Continue reading
My name is Steven Sacco, I am an immigration lawyer, I defend people against deportation and against ICE. When I’m working I must be polite to ICE because they have my client’s life in their hands. But I am not at work today. That means I am not here to be polite, I am here to be honest. Continue reading
Video via Sandi Bachom:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2018
Today, the federal district court for the District of New Jersey heard arguments on whether it has the power to grant a stay of deportation in Mr. Ravi Ragbir’s case pending a decision on his underlying lawsuit which challenges the legality of his sole conviction and sentence. Counsel for Mr. Ragbir are hopeful that the court will exercise its inherent authority to grant the stay as it will ensure Mr. Ragbir’s ability to meaningfully participate in his proceedings.
Information on the temporary stay granted in relation to the First Amendment Lawsuit, Ragbir v. Homan, here.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9, 2018
Immigrant Rights Leader Ravi Ragbir and Community Organizations File First Amendment Lawsuit Challenging the Targeting of Immigrant Rights Activists Federal Government Agrees to Stay Mr. Ragbir’s Deportation Temporarily
New York, NY — Immigrant rights leader Ravi Ragbir, together with the New Sanctuary Coalition of New York City, CASA de Maryland, Detention Watch Network, the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, and the New York Immigration Coalition, filed suit (Ragbir v. Homan) in federal district court in the Southern District of New York today to challenge the recent targeting of immigrant rights activists by federal immigration officials. Pending briefing and consideration of a preliminary injunction motion, the government has agreed to stay Mr. Ragbir’s deportation temporarily. Continue reading
[View the original letter here]
February 1,2018
Mr. Thomas Decker
Field Office Director
New York Field Office
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 9th Floor, Suite 9-110
26 FederalPlaza New York, New York 10278-0004
Dear Director Decker:
I am writing to urge you to stay the removal of a beloved New York City community leader, Ravi Ragbir.
In his more than 20 years as a lawful permanent resident in the United States, Mr. Ragbir has made significant contributions to the city’s civic life and has been widely recognized for his work as a speaker, educator, and organizer on issues related to immigrant rights. He and others like him have played a crucial role in making New York a beacon of diversity and inclusion for so many. Forcing him to retum to Trinidad would not only affect his wife and child – who are U.S. citizens – but would adversely impact the larger immigrant community. The breadth and depth of Mr. Ragbir’s ties in our city should weigh heavily in favor of a stay of his removal.
Despite your office’s claim to prioritize for deportation those individuals who pose a public safety risk, these actions and others have raised serious concems about how ICE is targeting immigrants. Over this past year, New York City has experienced a spike in ICE activity, especially in courtrooms – an area most New Yorkers consider safe.
These activities not only create fear in immigrant communities, but undermine public safety. New York City is the safest big city in America because of the trust between law enforcement and communities, including immigrant New Yorkers. When ICE takes aggressive action against leaders in immigrant communities, it casts a chilling effect on immigrants’ willingness to engage with govemment and law enforcement generally, undercutting that trust.
The safety and interest of New Yorkers should be central to any determination concerning Mr. Ragbir, or other individuals arrested by ICE. Therefore, I request that ICE exercise its discretion to permit Mr. Ragbir to remain with his family in New York.
Sincerely,
Bill de Blasio Mayor
Support Ravi Ragbir 