A series of laws has been recently proposed that would make the pathway to asylum or becoming a U.S. citizenship easier for those entering the country. 

In 2016, Yimy Benitez paid $450 for a private consultation, where a lawyer told him there was no solution for his path to asylum.  

When he became a member of Make The Road New York, an organization dedicated to supporting immigrants – he finally got the help he needed. Lawmakers are now looking to help make the process easier for those dealing with similar situations to Benitez. 

The Access to Representation Act would promise every immigrant a right to an attorney when applying to asylum or seeking relief from deportation. The act would require $55 million from the 2024 state budget, but lawmakers say it’s enough to ensure everyone is represented and that the legal teams representing those seeking asylum are properly trained. 

Benitez says he’s pushing forward to appeal his asylum denial now that he has the right people behind him, as he continues to battle for more legal representation for those looking to call New York their home.  

On Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $3 million will be used to give migrants arriving to our city immigration-related legal services free of charge.