NYIC condemns lack of protections for Caribbean immigrants in US spending bill

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) has condemned what it says is the exclusion of protections for Caribbean and other immigrants from the bipartisan US$1.7 trillion spending bill for fiscal year 2023 that passed in the United States House of Representatives.

 

The legislative package, known on Capitol Hill as the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, passed the House, with 225 votes in favour and 201 against, with one legislator voting present.

 

NYIC, an umbrella policy and advocacy organization that represents more than 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York State, said while the US Congress passed the measure, it failed to provide permanent protections for 'Dreamers' - immigrants who came to America with their parents as young children - and Temporary Protected Status holders, such as Haitians.

 

The legislation includes US$16.5 billion in funding for Customs and Border Protection, US$8.4 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US$800 million in funding to support asylum seekers.