Policy and Resources

IMMIGRANT PROTECTIONS ​

For context, we note that former County Executive George Latimer signed the Immigrant Protection Act into law on March 20, 2018, which prevents Westchester County from using any of its resources to assist in federal investigations based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or national origin.  

The Westchester County Human Rights Commission has important info on Your Rights and ICE that can be found here.

 

Area nonprofits Nonprofit Westchester, Neighbors Link, Community Resource Center, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, and Community Housing Innovations have pulled together resources and support for Westchester’s immigrants. 

• Neighbors Link is hosting a series of virtual “Know Your Rights” events for the immigrant community and allies from January 23rd to March 13th. Organizations and businesses are highly encouraged to attend the KYR events for immigrant allies. Learn more HERE.

• If you are interested in KYR’s session for your organization, please call Make the Road NY at 914-396-0087.

• Read the Neighbors Link One-Pager HERE to understand the protections provided by the IPA and how to advocate for similar measures in your municipality.

• Volunteer at local nonprofits providing resources and support to immigrant community members.

In addition, the NY Immigration Coalition provides resources in multiple languages so residents understand their rights. Know your rights is available in Korean here.

AAPI HATE: REPORTING & PREVENTION​

If you are the subject of or witness a hate incident (does not have to be a crime), you can report the incident to the Westchester County Human Rights Commission here and if you are a Yonkers resident, you can also contact the Yonkers Human Rights Commission. 

You can also call the County District Attorney’s office via their tips line at (914) 995-TIPS (914-995-8477) and press 2 for Hate and Bias Crimes, or you can fill out their online complaint form. This could be vital information in preventing or prosecuting future hate incidents or crimes. Similarly, the NY Attorney General’s office has a hate crime  hotline you can call: 1-800-771-7755, and file a civil rights complaint by filling out this form. You can find more information here. You can also call your local police department.

AANHPI CURRICULUM ADVOCACY ​​

WAAD is a member of the REACH Coalition, which brings together 170 educators, parents, students, advocates and 70+ organizations from across the state. REACH advocates for advancing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in New York State schools. Last year we actively supported Senator Liu and Assemblymember Lee’s Bill S6359/A7260 calling for Asian American history and civic impact in school curriculum. The bill passed in the Senate but not in the Assembly. 

 

The bill, now S3334/A4638, is being reintroduced this year with some amendments, and WAAD will again be advocating for it. 

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WELLNESS & MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Contact SPEAK, the first and only organization focused on Asian American mental health in Westchester County.