“The acts of extortion and coercion—forcing another person to give up their property or change their habits by intimidation —are illegal under New York penal law. While these methods of intimidation often include threatening to press criminal charges, the act of threatening to call immigration authorities on an individual was not included in this definition, despite the fact that the consequences of deportation can be just as severe. That’s why I helped pass a bill which designates the threat of deportation as a crime on the same level as extortion and coercion (A.3412-A).
“Simply put: immigration status is not a bargaining tool. Using an individual’s immigration status against them is just as much a form of intimidation and blackmail as threatening to press criminal charges. Undocumented New Yorkers contribute so much to our communities and our economy. They should never have to live in fear of having their lives ripped out from under them. I’ll always do everything I can to protect and support New York’s vulnerable populations.”
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