Senator Peralta and CUNY School of Law Launch Free Legal Assistance Program to Protect Immigrants and Tenants

In response to housing discrimination and attacks from Washington on immigrants, State Senator Jose Peralta and CUNY School of Law’s Community Legal Resources Network announced today the re-launching of free legal assistance services for immigrants and tenants. Senator Peralta helped secure a $50,000 state allocation in this year’s State budget to offer these critical services in his district office.

“In the past several months, we were able to assist over 150 constituents who faced immigration or housing challenges. This is why it is my privilege to team up again with the CUNY School of Law to continue providing these vital free legal assistance services to our neighbors. At the state level, I am at the frontline when it comes to protecting my constituents, and won’t tolerate acts of discrimination against them. I am not going to allow anyone to treat my constituents as second-class citizens. I am glad my office and I are able to partner again with the CUNY School of Law to offer these legal services,” said Senator Peralta.

“This program fully resonates with the mission of CUNY School of Law, to practice ‘Law in the Service of Human Needs.’ We applaud the initiative of Senator Peralta in spearheading this effort to bring access to legal assistance and justice to his constituents.  This is the work our graduates came to pursue at CUNY School of Law and have been well-trained to deliver,” said Mary Lu Bilek, Dean, CUNY School of Law.

“Particularly in the current state of immigration law and housing conditions in New York, the need for legal assistance in the community is dire.  It is our pleasure to partner our compassionate and skilled alumni attorneys with Senator Peralta’s competent and committed staff,” said Alizabeth Newman, Int. Executive Director Alumni Engagement & Initiatives, CUNY School of Law.

The state funding offers a package of legal services, including one-on-one legal counseling and community education workshops. Since November 2017, CUNY School of Law alumni lawyers provided legal counseling and assistance in more than 60 immigration-related matters and over 90 housing-related issues. If Senator Peralta’s constituents need assistance, they can make an appointment by calling his office at (718) 205-3881.