New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle A - Governor's Office › Chapter I - Executive Orders › Part 8 - Executive Orders (Andrew M. Cuomo) › Section 8.170 - Executive Order No. 170: State Policy Concerning Immigrant Access to State Services

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
WHEREAS, New York State will remain true to the ideals that
					 founded this country, and will continue to welcome immigrants as a source of
					 energy, and celebrate them as a source of revitalization for our State;
					 and
WHEREAS, New York State's residents make up one of the
					 nation's most diverse communities, as over 4.3 million immigrants reside within
					 the State and over twenty percent of the State's population is foreign-born;
					 and
WHEREAS, immigrants residing in New York State are an
					 essential part of the economic fabric of this State, as over 29% of all
					 business owners in New York are foreign-born, such businesses generate millions
					 of dollars in total net income, and the combined purchasing power of immigrant
					 communities exceeds $165 billion dollars; and
WHEREAS, the reporting of unlawful activity by immigrant
					 witnesses and victims is critical to strengthening ties between immigrants and
					 law enforcement, reducing crime, and enhancing the State's ability to protect
					 the safety of all of its residents; and
WHEREAS, the New York State Constitution and the New York
					 State Human Rights Law protect individuals from discrimination on the basis of
					 national origin in the areas of education, benefits, employment, housing, and
					 public accommodation, and the State is committed to enforcing those protections
					 to the fullest extent of the law; and
WHEREAS, State government has a responsibility to ensure
					 that services are provided equally, and consistent with civil rights laws, to
					 all individuals eligible to receive them; and
WHEREAS, access to State services is critical to the
					 vitality and well-being of immigrant communities and their continued
					 integration into the State's economic, civil, and cultural life; and
WHEREAS, providing State services to immigrant communities
					 is necessary to meet the needs of the State's diverse population, to maintain
					 public confidence in State government and its agencies, and to comply with
					 State and Federal civil rights laws; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor of the State
					 of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
					 laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:
A.
Definitions
1. "State entity" shall mean (i) all agencies
				  and departments over which the Governor has executive authority, and (ii) all
				  public benefit corporations, public authorities, boards, and commissions, for
				  which the Governor appoints the Chair, the Chief Executive, or the majority of
				  Board members, except for the Port Authority of New York and New
				  Jersey.
2. "Alien" shall mean any
				  person who is not a citizen or national of the United States.
3. "Illegal activity" shall mean any unlawful
				  activity that constitutes a crime under state or federal law. However, an
				  individual's status as an undocumented alien does not constitute unlawful
				  activity.