NYC Immigration Meeting Recap: Trusted Help, Real Answers, and Next Steps for Families

By Moses St Louis

Earlier this afternoon, I attended another immigration meeting organized by the office of Councilwoman Rita Joseph and Life of Hope, a nonprofit community organization. I was invited by Merline Joseph from Councilwoman Rita Joseph’s office, and I’m glad I made the time.

What stood out right away was how many different people showed up to support immigrant families. Elected officials, city agencies, health coverage support, and trusted immigration attorneys were all in the same room. That mix matters, because most families don’t need one thing, they need several things to line up at once.

Below is a simple summary of who spoke, what resources were shared, and clear next steps NYC immigrants and families can take after a meeting like this.

When community groups, city offices, and state and federal leaders sit together, it cuts through confusion. A lot of immigration stress comes from not knowing where to start, who to trust, and which office handles what.

It also helps to be clear about what each level of government can and can’t do. Immigration cases are handled by federal agencies, so no city or state official can approve a green card, stop a deportation, or “fix papers” with a phone call. But that doesn’t mean these offices are powerless.

City and state leaders can fund services, connect residents to benefits, and help push agency follow-ups. Federal offices can help with “constituent services,” meaning they can ask a federal agency for case updates and fix certain delays, but they still can’t promise outcomes.

Community leadership and local government: Life of Hope and Councilwoman Rita Joseph’s office

Perez Luxama, Executive Director of Life of Hope, helped set the tone for the day. Nonprofits like Life of Hope do something government offices often can’t do on their own: build long-term trust, offer language support, and follow up after the event ends. They also serve as “trusted messengers,” which matters in communities where people have real reasons to fear scams, misinformation, or exposure.

Councilwoman Rita Joseph’s office played the connector role. A City Council office can’t change federal immigration law, but it can help residents get linked to city services, explain what paperwork to bring, and host resource events that reduce isolation. For many families, a local office is the most realistic doorway to help.

Several elected leaders spoke, including Councilwoman Farah Louis, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman, Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest, and a representative from Senator Schumer’s office.

A key phrase to remember is constituent services. That usually means staff can help you contact an agency, request an update, correct an obvious error, or track delays. It can also mean helping you find the right nonprofit or legal provider. What it doesn’t mean is a special approval, a guaranteed timeline, or a promise that a case will go your way. Hearing that said clearly in community settings is important, because it keeps expectations realistic and helps people focus on what they can control.

A lot of families wait to ask for help until a problem gets big. By then, deadlines pass, letters get missed, and paperwork gets harder to replace. One message came through again and again: get accurate guidance early, and keep your documents organized.

The speakers also made a strong point that “free help” should still be verified. There are real enrollment counselors and caseworkers, and there are also people who pretend to be official and take advantage of fear.

Health coverage help with MetroPlus, what Fabiola Dodin highlighted

Fabiola Dodin from MetroPlus shared helpful reminders about health coverage support. Many immigrant New Yorkers can qualify for some form of coverage depending on age, income, household size, and each program’s rules. The exact fit differs from family to family, so the safest move is to speak with a trusted enrollment helper who can explain options in plain language.

When you go to ask for help, it’s smart to bring what you have, even if it’s not perfect. That can include an ID if available, proof of address (like mail), and income information if you work. And before you sign anything, ask the person helping you to explain what you’re applying for and what documents were submitted.

Jamar Hooks, Deputy Commissioner (DSS/HRA), spoke about the kinds of support DSS and HRA generally manage, including SNAP, cash assistance, and other pathways that may help during emergencies. Eligibility depends on many factors, but the process itself often comes down to follow-through.

Simple habits can prevent big setbacks: keep copies of everything you submit, respond quickly to notices, ask for interpretation if you need it, and write down your case number. Many cases don’t fail because people “didn’t qualify,” they fail because documents were missing, deadlines were missed, or a letter was misunderstood.

Immigration guidance you can trust, key reminders from MOIA and Haitian Lawyers Association of NY

This part of the meeting felt like a safety briefing, in the best way. People need to know the difference between general information, a quick legal screening, and full legal representation. Confusing those three can cost time, money, and sometimes a person’s chance to apply.

The strongest advice was about credibility. When stakes are high, you don’t want guesses, rumors, or someone selling false hope.

NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, what Commissioner Manuel Castro’s office connects you to

Commissioner Manuel Castro from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) addressed how MOIA connects immigrants to city-backed resources. MOIA can point people toward safe referrals, language access help, and programs that support families, workers, and students.

If you’re not sure where to start, asking MOIA or a trusted partner about free or low-cost legal services can be a strong first step. The goal is not to run in circles from office to office, it’s to find the right doorway, then walk through it with the right paperwork.

Legal help and scam warnings from HALANY attorneys Rodney L. Pepe, Esq and Sandra Dieudonne, Esq

Rodney L. Pepe, Esq and Sandra Dieudonne, Esq from the Haitian Lawyers Association of NY (HALANY) shared legal reminders and scam warnings that every immigrant family should hear more than once. Real immigration help comes from licensed attorneys or accredited representatives, not someone in a back room promising shortcuts.

Common scam red flags came up clearly:

• Guaranteed results or “I know someone inside” promises

• Cash-only demands with no receipts

• No written contract or refusal to explain fees

• Holding your original documents as pressure

• Rushing you to sign forms you don’t understand

Safer steps are simple: ask for credentials, request receipts, keep copies of everything, and bring a trusted person to appointments if you feel unsure.

Simple next steps after the meeting, how to use this information this week

After a meeting like this, it’s easy to feel motivated for one day, then overwhelmed again by Thursday. A small plan can help you turn information into action.

Start with one call or one appointment request, not five. If you need legal help, begin with a screening through a trusted organization. If you need health coverage or benefits, start gathering documents and ask what else you’ll need so you don’t make repeat trips.

A quick checklist to prepare for appointments and referrals

• Write your questions in advance, keep them short and clear

• Gather key documents (any IDs, mail with address, immigration paperwork, benefit letters, pay stubs if you have them)

• Note deadlines from any letters you received

• Keep a folder of copies, don’t hand over your only originals

• Ask for interpretation if English isn’t your strongest language

• Write down names, dates, and case numbers during every call or visit

The key takes away from presenters

I’m glad I attended this meeting wearing two hats, Haitianbeatz.com and 1199 SEIU. A lot of valuable information was shared, including guidance tied to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and how people should prepare if TPS expires on February 3.

Two points hit hard because they were practical and urgent. First, for TPS holders who have assets here, bank accounts, real estate, or a business, the attorneys advised people to speak with a qualified lawyer about setting up a power of attorney. The reason is simple: if someone is deported, trying to manage or recover property from outside the country can become extremely difficult.

Second, parents with young children in school were told to plan ahead. The advice was to make sure the school has a signed, authorized person who can pick up your child if you are detained by ICE. Without that, children can end up in government care. They also warned that if a child misses school for about 10 days, the school may contact ACS to check what’s happening at home.

This is a very serious situation

If TPS expires, the meeting described a future where hundreds of thousands of Haitians could face deportation. We’re talking about people who’ve lived here for 15 years or more. Many have American children, jobs, homes, and small businesses. Sending people back with nothing, to a country facing extreme instability and gang violence, feels impossible to justify.

Many in the Haitian community are waiting for a last-minute decision from a judge in Washington on whether the Trump administration has the legal basis to end TPS. People are holding their breath, because a ruling can come at any time.

In the meantime, I don’t think Haitian media is treating this issue with the attention it deserves. Media should educate the community on what matters most. On something this big, complacency is dangerous.

This meeting showed what can happen when nonprofits, elected leaders, city agencies, health plans, and attorneys share the same space and speak plainly. The biggest lessons were clear: get trusted information, use safe referrals, avoid scams, and take small steps now, not later. If you missed this event, look for the next one hosted by community groups and local offices, then bring a friend who needs support. The more connected we stay, the harder it is for fear and misinformation to win.