Five Defendants Charged with Impersonating Immigration Judges, Law Enforcement Officers, and Lawyers

The Defendants and Their Co-conspirators Operated a Fictitious Law Firm, Solicited “Clients” on Facebook, and Conducted Sham Immigration Proceedings 

Earlier today, a five-count indictment was partially unsealed in the Eastern District of New York charging five defendants with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and two counts of false impersonation of an officer or employee of the United States. Three of the defendants, Daniela Alejandra Sanchez Ramirez, Jhoan Sebastian Sanchez Ramirez, and Alexandra Patricia Sanchez Ramirez, were arrested this afternoon at Newark Liberty International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Colombia with one-way tickets.  Marlyn Yulitza Salazar Pineda was arrested at a restaurant in New Jersey.  A fifth defendant is not in U.S. custody.  Daniela and Jhoan Ramirez, and Marlyn Pineda are immigration parolees, and Alexandra Ramirez is in the U.S. on a tourist visa. Daniela, Jhoan, and Alexandra Ramirez are siblings.  The four defendants who were arrested will be arraigned tomorrow morning at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross-Goldenberg.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D, Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General, and Ryan Hill, Acting Special Agent in Charge, United States Customs and Border Protection, Office of Professional Responsibility, New York Field Office (CBP-OPR), announced the arrests and charges.

“As alleged, the defendants undermined the integrity of our immigration system by impersonating judges, law enforcement officers, and lawyers, and targeting vulnerable members of our community who sought to hire attorneys to help them navigate sensitive legal issues,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The defendants brazenly stole their victims’ money and deceived them by sending fictious documents and holding sham court proceedings. I commend our Office’s prosecution team and the law enforcement agents whose hard work has disrupted this elaborate and outrageous scheme.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Fraud Detection, and National Security Directorate; the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; Executive Office for Immigration Review-Office of the General Counsel’s Fraud & Abuse Prevention Program; and the New York State Office for New Americans.

“We denounce those who would prey upon people trying to work through the immigration system,” stated DHS Inspector General Cuffari.  “We will hold accountable anyone who commits fraud or impersonates government officials.  We appreciate all our law enforcements partners that worked to expose this scheme and bring these individuals to justice.”

“The Office of Professional Responsibility in coordination with our other federal partners at DHS OIG, CBP Office of Field Operations (OFO), HSI, and DSS were able to stop an illegal scheme impacting hundreds of potential victims and generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit proceeds, which were being remitted to Colombia, the Foreign Terrorist Organization’s base of operations,” stated CPB-OPR Acting Special Agent in Charge Hill. “Impersonating immigration attorneys and U.S. government officials, including CBP and USCIS officers, and U.S. Embassy personnel, to profit on the fear of others is repulsive.  These criminals will now face severe consequences for their horrific actions.”

As set forth in the indictment and other court filings, the defendants and their co-conspirators portrayed themselves as immigration lawyers and operated a fictitious immigration law firm that they called “CM Bufete De Abogados Consultoria Migratoria.”  After soliciting prospective “clients,” primarily on Facebook, the defendants and their co-conspirators charged their victims fees ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars for nonexistent legal advice and services. None of the defendants or their identified co-conspirators were attorneys admitted or licensed to practice law in any jurisdiction in the United States.

After receiving victim funds, the defendants and their co-conspirators pretended as if they were actually representing their “clients.”  They transmitted documents that appeared to be official because they included symbols of agencies of the United States government.  Some of these documents referenced the victims’ actual cases pending in immigration court and/or reflected that the victims’ pending cases had been successfully resolved.  In reality, none of these were legitimate documents issued by any United States government agency.

The defendants and their co-conspirators also facilitated sham immigration proceedings, including asylum interviews and court appearances, in which the victims participated via videoconference.  In certain of these fictitious proceedings, the defendants and their co-conspirators impersonated immigration judges, agents from CBP and USCIS, and immigration lawyers.  They wore judicial robes and law enforcement uniforms and appeared in front of backgrounds that resembled courtrooms and government offices, with agency seals and flags.  During these videoconferences, the impersonators asked the victims sensitive personal questions and requested the victims’ personal identifying information.

At times, the defendants and their co-conspirators falsely represented that these sham proceedings had resolved the victims’ pending immigration cases.  As a result, victims missed their actual appearances in immigration court, which resulted in at least one victim being ordered deported who mistakenly believed her immigration issues were resolved. The order was later reversed.

In total, the investigation has identified over $100,000 in fraudulent transactions transmitted by victims to the defendants and other individuals associated with the fake CM Bufete De Abogados Consultoria Migratoria law firm.

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  Each defendant faces up to 20 years of imprisonment if convicted.

Mamdani Administration Begins First-Ever Expedited Review of Affordable Housing and Resiliency Projects

 

First project to use Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP) plans to deliver more than 80 affordable homes in the Bronx 

  

City Planning to advance Staten Island resiliency project and Affordable Housing Fast Track 

TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani launched the City’s first Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP) for 351 Powers Ave., a disposition of City-owned land that would create approximately 84 affordable homes.   

  

The Department of City Planning will also begin the review process for the City to acquire a parcel next to Saw Mill Creek Marsh Park on Staten Island as part of ongoing restoration and conservation efforts.   

  

Approved by voters in November, ELURP offers a streamlined public review process for modest housing and climate resiliency projects. Both reviews will conclude within 90 days, down from roughly seven months under the standard process.   

  

The Mamdani administration has also advanced the Affordable Housing Fast Track, which will accelerate public review for affordable housing proposals in the 12 community districts that produced the least affordable housing over the past five years. The City Planning Commission has proposed a transparent, efficient and accurate methodology to identify those districts and ensure the Fast Track fulfills its mission: making every neighborhood part of the solution to the city’s housing crisis.  

  

“Treating the housing crisis with the urgency it demands means moving at the speed of need,” said Mayor Mamdani. “The Affordable Housing Fast Track and these first expedited projects are about action. Mott Haven is just the beginning. We are using every tool available to build affordable housing projects faster, so working people can afford to stay in the city they call home.”   

  

“Delivering affordable housing more quickly is essential to building a city that New Yorkers can afford. With our first expedited ELURP projects, the forthcoming Affordable Housing Fast Track and other new tools, we’re ensuring that every neighborhood contributes to a more vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive New York City,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.   

  

“Soon, this parking lot will become more than 80 affordable homes, including approximately 30 apartments for currently homeless New Yorkers as well as new community space," said Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Dina Levy. "Our 351 Powers project is about using public land more responsibly and cutting through unnecessary delays so we can build more affordable housing faster. This is the new era of turning ready to build sites into quality, affordable homes at the speed this housing crisis demands.”  

  

“Last year, voters authorized new tools to tackle the housing crisis and we’re wasting no time putting them to work. Expedited review for this income-restricted housing proposal will help get shovels in the ground and people into homes faster than ever. And this is only the start — I look forward to seeing many more projects take advantage of last year’s reforms to create the housing we need across New York City,” said Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission.  

  

“351 Powers Avenue represents an important opportunity to expand housing options for our residents and families in the Bronx. As our city continues to face a housing crisis, it is critical that we invest in deeply affordable, high-quality, and safe housing that reflects the needs of our borough and preserves the character of our community. I want to thank Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the New York City Department of City Planning, and the New York City Housing Preservation and Development for their partnership and commitment to equitable growth,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Addressing our housing crisis requires collaboration at every level of government, and this project demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together to put families first.”  

  

By shortening public review from seven months to 90 days, ELURP will speed delivery of new homes at a time of historic housing shortage.  

  

The disposition of the 351 Powers Avenue site in Mott Haven, the Bronx would enable development of approximately 84 new affordable homes for low-income New Yorkers, including 30 for formerly homeless residents, on an undeveloped City-owned lot. Plans also call for a ground-floor workforce development training center, a theater and indoor and outdoor recreational space for residents.   

  

The project advances the priorities of Mayor Mamdani’s Land Inventory Fast Track (LIFT) Task Force, created by Executive Order 04, and signed on his first day in office. The task force is charged with identifying City-owned sites capable of supporting at least 25,000 new homes by July 1.  

  

On Staten Island, the proposed site selection and acquisition of land adjacent to Saw Mill Creek Marsh Park would strengthen local restoration and conservation efforts and expand climate resiliency infrastructure.   

 

Justice Department Sues OhioHealth for Anticompetitive Healthcare Contracts That Increase Costs for Ohio Patients

Lawsuit Seeks to Reduce Healthcare Costs in Ohio by Allowing Patients, Employers, and Health Insurers to Choose Lower Cost Healthcare Options 

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, together with the Attorney General of Ohio, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today challenging OhioHealth Corporation’s (OhioHealth) anticompetitive contract restrictions that force Ohio patients to pay higher prices for healthcare.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, seeks to enjoin OhioHealth, the largest healthcare system in central Ohio, from enforcing its anticompetitive contractual terms and continuing to suppress healthcare competition.

“Americans deserve low-cost, high-quality healthcare – not anticompetitive hospital system contracts that make healthcare less affordable,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President Trump’s leadership, this Department of Justice will continue taking legal action to protect consumers and drive down healthcare costs across America."

“Competition for healthcare is vital to all Americans,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “This lawsuit challenges anticompetitive contract restrictions that prevent consumers from choosing lower-cost health plans and severely limit consumers’ access to price information. These restrictions cause many Columbus residents to pay more for lower-quality healthcare. American families and consumers deserve better. I appreciate the partnership with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to challenge these restrictions as we work together to open this important market to the very real benefits of open competition.”

As alleged in the complaint, OhioHealth uses its market power to impose contractual restrictions that impede or completely prevent insurers from offering innovative and money-saving health-insurance plans or plan features. OhioHealth generally forces insurers to include OhioHealth in all of the networks for the commercial insurance products they offer, regardless of how OhioHealth’s prices compare to its competitors, preventing the development of budget-conscious plans in the Columbus area. Without these lower cost and innovative plan options that empower patients to save money by selecting lower-cost providers who still provide high-quality care, patients and employers are faced with fewer health plan choices and higher costs.

OhioHealth owns or manages 16 hospitals and outpatient facilities throughout the State of Ohio.

Trinitarios Gang Member Convicted Of Murder, Attempted Murder, And Racketeering

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that a jury found RAMON RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Pollo,” guilty today of murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, firearms offenses, and racketeering conspiracy.  The convictions relate to RODRIGUEZ’s participation in the “Shooting Boys” gang (a set of the Trinitarios), the June 21, 2021, murder of Milton Grant during a robbery in Manhattan, and the attempted murder of another victim during that same robbery.  RODRIGUEZ was convicted following a two-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff, who will impose sentence on June 30, 2026. 

“For years, Ramon Rodriguez—along with members of the Shooting Boys—committed shootings, robberies, drug trafficking, fraud, and witness retaliation throughout New York City,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Worst of all, Rodriguez murdered Milton Grant in cold blood during a robbery, senselessly killing him for his watch, and attempted to murder another innocent victim at the same time.  Gang violence poses a grave threat to our communities.  Thanks to our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, including the NYPD, whose detectives drove this murder case from the beginning, New York streets are safer tonight.” 

According to the allegations in the Indictment, public court filings, and evidence presented at the jury trial:

From at least 2018 through 2025, RODRIGUEZ was a member of the Trinitarios and an associate of the Shooting Boys, a set of the Trinitarios.  The Shooting Boys, who operated primarily in the Bronx and Manhattan, engaged in murders, attempted murders, robberies, drug trafficking, fraud, and witness retaliation.

On June 13, 2021, RODRIGUEZ and members of the Shooting Boys committed a robbery outside a Bronx nightclub.  During the robbery, RODRIGUEZ shot a man in the leg, causing significant injuries.

Just eight days later, on June 21, 2021, RODRIGUEZ and members of the Shooting Boys committed another robbery outside a Manhattan nightclub.  During the robbery, RODRIGUEZ shot Milton Grant in the head, killing him, then stole Grant’s watch from his lifeless body.  As Grant’s friend ran away, RODRIGUEZ shot at him as well, attempting to kill him.

After being arrested and detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, RODRIGUEZ continued to participate in the Shooting Boys gang, including by repeatedly possessing weapons.  On December 3, 2023, RODRIGUEZ and other members and associates of the Shooting Boys ambushed, stabbed, and slashed an inmate who was cooperating with law enforcement in order to retaliate against that potential witness and deter others from cooperating.

RODRIGUEZ, 21, of the Bronx, was convicted of one count of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; two counts of using, carrying, and possessing firearms—which were brandished and discharged—during and in relation to a crime of violence, each of which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed; and one count of racketeering conspiracy with a special sentencing factor, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The minimum and mandatory potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations and thanked the New York County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.   

Attorney General James Wins Challenge to Trump Administration’s Tariffs

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of AG James and 11 Other States Declaring “Emergency” Tariffs Illegal

New York Attorney General Letitia James today won a major victory after the United States Supreme Court ruled that sweeping tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) violate the law. The court ruled in favor of Attorney General James and a coalition of 11 other attorneys general who sued the Trump administration in April 2025 for violating the law by imposing massive new tariffs that severely disrupted the economy for workers and businesses.

“These illegal tariffs caused immense economic chaos, raising costs for families and businesses throughout our country,” said Attorney General James. “The Supreme Court has agreed that this administration has no authority to impose massive new taxes on a whim. This is a critical victory for the rule of law and our economy, and I will keep fighting to protect New Yorkers from destructive policies that make life less affordable.”

In April 2025, Attorney General James and the coalition sued the Trump administration for unlawfully imposing tariffs under IEEPA. In May, the United States Court of International Trade ruled in favor of Attorney General James and the coalition, deciding that the Trump administration’s tariffs issued under IEEPA are invalid. In August, the U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed that the Trump administration does not have the authority to impose these tariffs by executive order under IEEPA.

The Supreme Court today ruled that the president does not have the authority to use IEEPA to impose sweeping tariffs.

Joining Attorney General James in this challenge to the administration’s tariffs are the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont.

Governor Hochul Announces $63 Million Awarded to Strengthen Supportive Housing Across New York State

New York State Supportive Housing Program Significantly Increased Funding Rates for More Than 20,000 Supportive Housing Units Statewide

Supplements New York State's Ongoing Efforts To Address Homelessness and Preserve and Expand Permanent Supportive Housing Options Across the State

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $63 million in grants awarded to 130 supportive housing services providers across the state that help individuals and families experiencing homelessness remain stably housed. The grants—awarded through the New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP)—include an overall 40 percent increase in funding that will help preserve and expand supportive housing options in New York.

“Creating and preserving supportive housing is central to my administration’s commitment to making New York more affordable and continues our fight to reduce homelessness across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “These investments in the New York State Supportive Housing Program will allow supportive housing providers statewide to continue their vital work to help individuals and families that have experienced homelessness remain safely housed and get the essential services they need to thrive in their communities.”

Administered by New York's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), NYSSHP funds essential services and operating costs that support more than 20,000 permanent supportive and transitional housing units that house some 36,000 individuals across the state. In the FY 2025-2026 State Budget, Governor Hochul secured a $17.8 million increase for NYSSHP that, beginning this year, boosts the per-unit funding rates to existing NYSSHP providers by approximately 40 percent overall and represents the largest funding increase for the program in 40 years.

In an effort to target the increased funding toward the most fiscally vulnerable projects statewide, more than 44 projects were deemed eligible for enhanced funding this year, almost doubling their per-unit rates. Funding rates for all other providers were increased by approximately 30 percent. View a list of all awardees here.

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “The funding increases in this year’s NYSSHP awards are tremendously important to ensuring that our existing supportive housing stock remains viable and accessible. These awards will strengthen providers’ ability to deliver the supportive services that make these programs unique and successful in helping vulnerable populations remain housed. We are grateful to all of our supportive housing providers, who, day in and day out, provide essential services to thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers and to Governor Hochul for making historic investments to preserve and expand much-needed supportive housing options across New York State.”

The NYSSHP awards are part of the Governor’s $25 billion, five-year Housing Plan, which is on track to create and preserve 100,000 affordable homes by the end of SFY 2027, including 10,000 homes with support services for vulnerable populations, and electrify an additional 50,000 homes. Funding in the SFY 2027 Executive Budget includes $5.7 billion in capital resources, $8.8 billion in State and Federal tax credits and other Federal allocations, and $11 billion to support the operation of shelters and supportive housing units, and to provide rental subsidies. This investment represents the largest, broadest, and most ambitious housing plan in New York State history.

Governor Hochul’s FY2027 Executive Budget continues to make historic investments to create and preserve permanent supportive housing across New York State, including:

• $153 million for OTDA’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) to meet the ongoing demand for supportive housing and to maintain existing units that provide a safe place to live for many of the most housing insecure and vulnerable New Yorkers. HHAP provides capital resources to create housing, including permanent affordable and supportive housing, specifically for homeless individuals. Building upon the enhanced investment included in the SFY 2026 Budget, the SFY 2027 Executive Budget includes another $25 million in supplemental resources.
• $300 million for the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI), an increase of $60 million from SFY 2026. This funding supports the operational and service costs of new and existing supportive housing contracts.
• $100 million for the Rental Supplement Program (RSP) to provide shelter supplements to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or an imminent loss of housing.
• $74.2 million for OTDA’s consolidated homeless services programs, a $2.8 million increase from SFY 2026. This funding supports NYSSHP, the Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP), and the Operational Support for AIDS Housing (OSAH) program.
• $50 million for the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) pilot, consistent with the four-year pilot, designed to provide rental assistance for housing vouchers for individuals and families who are homeless or who face an imminent loss of housing. 

Mayor Mamdani Announces Mayor Expansion of Protected Time Off for $4.3 Million Workers and New Data-Driven Enforcement Strategy

 

Protected Time Off categories expanded to include child care; 32 hours of unpaid leave immediately upon hire  

 

Today’s event with Commissioner Levine, Councilmember Nurse and Amazon workers attempting to unionize was pooled, footage available HERE 

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani was joined by New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Sam Levine to celebrate the expansion of the City’s Protected Time Off Law, formerly known as the Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, and to announce new enforcement actions, that including compliance warnings to 56,000 employers and a new data-driven strategy to ensure workers can use the time the law guarantees.  

  

“New Yorkers shouldn’t have to choose between doing their job and caring for their family, protecting their safety, or keeping their housing secure,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Today, we’re putting employers on notice -- sending compliance warnings to 56,000 businesses and launching a data-driven enforcement strategy to make sure workers can actually use the time they’ve earned. When life happens, your job shouldn’t be the thing that falls apart.”  

  

Effective Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, Local Law 145 requires employers to make an additional 32 hours of unpaid protected time off immediately available upon hire and again on the first day of each calendar year. The update guarantees instant access to protected time off and protects employees from discipline if they have used their paid protected time balances.   

  

The law also expands the reasons employees may use protected time off to include:  

  

•   Caring for a child, including school holidays and child care disruptions  

•   Caring for a family or household member with a disability  

•   Attending benefits or housing appointments or hearings  

•   Staying home during public emergencies declared by the government, such as snowstorms or power outages   

•   Addressing needs related to workplace violence  

  

“New York City has some of the nation’s strongest protected time off laws, and now they are even stronger. This makes all the difference for working New Yorkers facing a child care  emergency or anything else life throws at us,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “By expanding protected time off and ensuring immediate access to additional hours, we are building an economy that puts people over profits.”  

 

The announcement was made at Angelo’s Deli in Maspeth, where Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Levine, and Council Member Sandy Nurse joined 12 Amazon workers organizing with the Teamsters for a coffee roundtable conversation about the realities of taking time off in low-wage, high-pressure workplaces. The Mayor listened as workers described balancing child care, housing appointments, and unpredictable work schedules.  

 

Protected Time Off Law  

  

Under the City’s Protected Time Off Law, in effect since 2014, most employees have the right to up to 40 or 56 hours of paid protected time off per year. Employers must also provide 20 hours of paid prenatal leave in addition to protected time off.  

  

In addition to the new reasons added under Local Law 145, employees may use Protected Time Off for:  

•   Medical care or to recover from an illness or injury  

•   Caring for a family member who is sick or has a medical appointment  

•   Needs related to domestic violence and certain other crimes  

  

Enforcing the Protected Time Off Law  

  

Today DCWP also launched an enforcement blitz, sending letter to more than 56,000 employers across the five boroughs, including all city restaurants, prior DCWP enforcement targets and DCWP licensees. The letters outline the law’s requirements, employee notice obligations, compliance tools and consequences for violations.   

  

Employers that violate the law face employee relief and civil penalties ranging from $250 to $2,500 per employee, plus back pay.  

  

New Data-Driven Enforcement Strategy 

 

In tandem with Local Law 145, DCWP released a new report outlining a data-driven enforcement strategy to support companywide investigations when employers illegally restrict Protected Time Off. The approach compares employers’ paid sick leave use rates with national data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The report finds that the need to use sick leave is universal across industries and demographics. If employer records show unusually low use rates, DCWP will treat that as strong evidence of potential violations and, effective immediately, pursue enforcement on behalf of all affected employees.   

 

Employers that fail to offer compliant protected time off must pay each affected employee at least $500 per year, plus an equal amount in civil penalty. For example, an employer with 100 employees could owe $300,000 for violations over three years, divided evenly between employee relief and civil penalties. Subsequent violations may result in penalties of up to $1,000 per employee, per year.  

 

Employer Tools  

 

DCWP encourages employers to conduct self-audit and eliminate unlawful barriers to use. The agency has created a Protected Time Off Usage Compliance Tracker, available at nyc.gov/dcwp.   

Common violations that can lead to low use rates, include: Failing to offer a protected time off benefit.  

•   Nonexistent or insufficient written policies  

•   Unlawful administration systems. Absence control policies that discipline workers for last-minute callouts or “no call, no show.” Unlawful restrictions on employees’ use of sick leave   

  

Worker Protections  

 

Employers must provide written notice of workers’ rights to Protected Time Off and paid prenatal leave. Advance notice may be required only for foreseeable uses, such as scheduled medical appointments or court hearings. Workers do not have to provide advance notice for unexpected needs, including illness or child care disruptions, and do not have to disclose details about why they used leave. Documentation may be required only after four or more consecutive workdays of leave.   

  

“These expansions respond to the real challenges New Yorkers face – from the rising cost of child care to extreme weather emergencies,” said Mayor Mamdani. “No one should have to choose between caring for themselves or their loved ones and keeping their job. In New York City, we are making sure they don’t have to.” 

   

Housing Lottery Launches for Grant TPT Apartments in Morrisania, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for Grant TPT Apartments, three residential buildings located at 1113 Grant Avenue, 1211 Washington Avenue, and 1033 Cauldwell Avenue in Morrisania, The Bronx. Built between 1910 and 1931, the structures yield a total 100 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 19 units for residents at 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $51,669 to $105,000. 

All units are newly renovated with spacious layouts, new appliances, and hardwood floors. Some buildings have a shared laundry room. Tenants are responsible for electricity.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are three one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,477 for incomes ranging from $54,892 to $87,480; five one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,504 for incomes ranging from $54,618 to $87,480; one two-bedroom with a monthly rent of $1,391 for incomes ranging from $51,669 to $105,000; three two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,765 for incomes ranging from $65,829 to $105,000; and seven two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,777 for incomes ranging from $65,760 to $105,000.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than March 6, 2026.