[THEME MUSIC] >> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF NEW YORK NOW.

I'M ELISE KLINE.

IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT DETAINMENTS AND ARRESTS HAVE DRAMATICALLY INCREASED IN THE STATE, ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE NEW YORK CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE AND THE DATA DEPORTATION PROJECT.

THIS ISSUE IS A GROWING CONCERN FOR NEW YORK STATE LAWMAKERS, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN PUSHING BACK ON STATEWIDE POLICIES MEANT TO PROTECT IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES.

MANY STATE LAWMAKERS TELL ME THEY ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE LEVEL OF FEAR AMONG COMMUNITIES AND THE AGGRESSION USED AGAINST IMMIGRANT NEW YORKERS.

WE SAT DOWN WITH MURAD AWAWDEH, THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK IMMIGRATION COALITION, TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE SEVERITY OF THIS ISSUE CURRENTLY LOOKS LIKE IN THE STATE, RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED STATE IMMIGRATION POLICIES, AND HOW THE STATE IS RESPONDING.

HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SITTING DOWN WITH US, MURAD.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

U.S.

IMMIGRATION AND.

CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, OR ICE, HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT PRESENCE IN THE STATE AND ACROSS THE NATION.

IN AUGUST ALONE, THERE HAVE BEEN 51,000 ARRESTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ACCORDING TO A RECENT AUDIT FROM THE NEW YORK CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE, ICE ARRESTS JUST WITHIN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA HAVE INCREASED 71 PERCENT IN THE LAST YEAR.

CAN YOU START BY TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOUR CONCERNS ARE WITH THE VOLUME AND WHAT HARASSMENT OR ABUSE OF POWER MAY LOOK LIKE IN THESE SITUATIONS?

>> SINCE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS COME INTO POWER IN JANUARY 2025, WE'VE SEEN AN ESCALATION FROM DAY ONE, AN ESCALATION ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THIS COUNTRY.

WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE SAW A RAID IN NORTH COUNTRY, NEW YORK, WITNESSING A FAMILY BEING DETAINED AND THEN SEPARATED FROM THEIR COMMUNITY AND THEIR LOVED ONES DOWN TO THE HORRENDOUS RAID THAT HAPPENED IN CATO, NEW YORK AT A MANUFACTURING PLANT.

AND THEN THE STREET ARRESTS THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE AND HEAVILY HERE IN NEW YORK CITY AS WELL.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS CONTINUED TO ESCALATE AGAINST IMMIGRANT NEW YORKERS.

AND UNDER THE GUISE THAT THIS IS ABOUT SAFETY AND SECURITY, WHEN IT'S NEVER BEEN ABOUT SAFETY AND SECURITY, IT'S BEEN ABOUT CRUELTY.

AND THAT IS THEIR POINT.

AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE WITNESSED THEM AND SPECIFICALLY ICE OPERATE IN THIS LAWLESS AND ROGUE WAY FOR TOO LONG.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN OPERATING THIS WAY FOR A LONG TIME, BUT EVEN MORE SO UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION.

AND THIS PAST SUMMER, WE WITNESSED THE HIGHEST NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUALS GETTING DETAINED OUTSIDE OF COURTROOM ARRESTS THAT WERE HAPPENING LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR, WHICH WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL BY A JUDGE.

AND SO MUCH SO AS VIOLATING I.C.E.

'S OWN POLICIES OF NOT DOING ENFORCEMENT IN COURTROOMS.

SO WE HAVE WITNESSED THIS HAPPEN TIME AND AGAIN.

AND THIS JUST ILLUSTRATES TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PRIORITIZING RIGHT NOW.

INSTEAD OF SUPPORTING AMERICANS AND THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS THAT WE ARE ALL WITNESSING AND LIVING THROUGH, THEY ARE INVESTING BILLIONS AND BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO GO AFTER MOTHERS AND FATHERS WHO ARE TRYING TO JUST LIVE THEIR LIVES HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

>> AND TO YOUR POINT, YOU HAD HIGHLIGHTED CRUELTY.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THESE ARRESTS ARE TAKING PLACE?

>> YOU KNOW, JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WE SAW A 72 YEAR OLD MOTHER GRANDMOTHER ACTUALLY BEING BEAR MACED BY AN I.C.E.

AGENT.

JUST LAST WEEK, WE SAW A NEW YORKER WHO HAD A GUN POINTED AT THEIR FACE BY I.C.E.

WE'RE WITNESSING TIME AND AGAIN CAR STOPS BY I.C.E.

ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT EVEN MORE SO OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WHERE WE'RE WITNESSING I.C.E.

OFFICERS JUST HAPHAZARDLY JUMPING OUT OF CARS AND SURROUNDING PEOPLE'S VEHICLES AND RACIALLY PROFILING INDIVIDUALS AND STOPPING THEM AND CHECKING THEIR PAPERS.

THIS IS REMINISCENT OF THE GESTAPO.

AND WE'RE WATCHING IT HAPPEN IN REAL TIME HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO ENCOURAGE THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR TO TRY TO ENTRAP NEW YORKERS WHO ARE JUST TRYING TO GO ABOUT LIVING THEIR ORDINARY LIVES HERE.

THIS IS, AGAIN, NEVER BEEN ABOUT SAFETY AND SECURITY.

THEY ARE NOT GOING AFTER THE WORST OF THE WORST, AS THEY CONTINUE TO SAY.

THEY'RE GOING AFTER YOUR LOCAL LANDSCAPER, YOUR NURSE, YOUR CNA, YOUR LPN, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING OUR CITY AND OUR STATE WHAT IT IS, ARE BEING ATTACKED EVERY SINGLE DAY BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> AND I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY ARE AFRAID AND EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN HOW GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE HANDLING THIS ISSUE.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT DOES THE ATMOSPHERE AROUND THIS ISSUE LOOK LIKE RIGHT NOW?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK MANY PEOPLE RIGHT NOW ARE INCREDIBLY FEARFUL.

AND, YOU KNOW, THIS INCLUDES PEOPLE WHO HAVE STATUS.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO DE DOCUMENT INDIVIDUALS, CANCELING STATUSES LIKE TPS, HUMANITARIAN PAROLE, CHMV AND A SLEW OF OTHER STATUSES THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD FOR A LONG TIME.

AND PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS ARE SIMPLY JUST LITERALLY TRYING TO LIVE THEIR LIFE.

AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO WAGE THIS WAR AGAINST IMMIGRANTS, SOWING MASS PANIC, MASS FEAR AND MORE CHAOS IN OUR COMMUNITIES, MAKING PEOPLE LESS TRUSTING OF GOVERNMENT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS DOING IT THE QUOTE UNQUOTE RIGHT WAY, ARE STILL BEING TARGETED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE STATUS ARE BEING TARGETED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

AND EVERY SINGLE DAY YOU HEAR ANOTHER STORY OF THE HORRORS OF THIS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> AND THE GOVERNOR HAS REACTED TO THIS ISSUE, SIGNING A SLEW OF POLICY REFORMS EARLIER THIS YEAR TO PUT A HALT ON 287(G) AGREEMENTS, WHICH ALLOW FOR COORDINATION BETWEEN CIVIL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FEDERAL I.C.E.

OFFICERS, PROHIBITING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS FROM WEARING MASKS, KEEPING AUTHORITIES OUT OF SENSITIVE LOCATIONS SUCH AS SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, PLACES OF WORSHIP, AND MORE.

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THESE POLICIES IMPLEMENTED SO FAR?

ARE THEY HAVING AN IMPACT LIKE THEY WERE INTENDED TO?

>> YOU KNOW, WE FOUGHT FOR THE IMMIGRATION PROTECTIONS THAT WERE PASSED IN THE STATE BUDGET THIS YEAR, AND WE'RE HAPPY THAT THEY HAVE GONE INTO EFFECT.

WE KNOW THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS SUED AND SPECIFICALLY SUED THE 287(G) BAN, WHICH ALLOWS FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO SIGN AGREEMENTS WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT TO DEPUTIZE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DO IMMIGRATION'S WORK.

AND THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY OF US SAFER.

IT ACTUALLY MAKES OUR COMMUNITIES LESS SAFE WHEN PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY CAN'T GO TO THE POLICE WHEN THEY'RE A VICTIM OF A CRIME OR WITNESS THE CRIME.

SO THAT BAN TOOK EFFECT IN AUGUST.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SUED IN COURT AND LOST.

AND NOW WE HAVE SEVERAL SHERIFFS FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW YORK WHO ARE SUING THE 287(G) BAN AS WELL BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO UPHOLD THE LAW.

AND THAT SEEMS A BIT IRONIC AS SHERIFFS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS WHO ARE UPHOLDING THE LAW.

SO THERE WAS A SENSE OF RELIEF FROM THE NEW YORKERS, A COLLECTIVE SIGH OF RELIEF, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ACTIONS, PEOPLE ARE STILL LIVING IN THE SHADOWS AND LIVING IN CONSTANT FEAR THAT THEY MAY BE NEXT.

>> AND TO THAT POINT, LOOKING AHEAD, WHAT MORE SHOULD THE STATE OR GOVERNOR BE DOING?

>> WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT OUR POLICIES ARE MEETING THE REALITIES THAT WE'RE WITNESSING TODAY.

WE NEED TO GO AND COMPLETELY BAN THE COLLUSION THAT WE'RE SEEING HAPPEN ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITH I.C.E.

AGENTS.

THE STATE DID PASS A BILL BANNING STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS FROM WORKING WITH I.C.E.

ON CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, BUT IT'S STILL HAPPENING IN INFORMAL WAYS.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS ALSO BANNED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

BUT WE ALSO ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES.

WE DID GET AN INCREASE THIS YEAR, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO REPRESENTATION AND MAKING IT THE LAW OF THE LAND.

I THINK MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT WHILE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ALLOWS YOU TO HAVE A COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD ONE, THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM DOES NOT DO THAT.

SO IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE SHOWING UP TO COURT WHO ARE GOING UP AGAINST A PROSECUTOR AND A JUDGE WHOSE SOLE JOB IS TO REMOVE THEM FROM THIS COUNTRY, THAT THEY HAVE SOMEONE WHO'S STANDING BY THEM WHO'S FIGHTING FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO STAY HERE IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE LAWYERS WHO SHOW UP TO COURT HAVE OVER A 10 TIMES MORE LIKELY CHANCE OF WINNING THEIR CASES THAN THOSE WHO DON'T.

>> AND YOU HAD MENTIONED ACCESS TO REPRESENTATION.

I KNOW THERE IS A PIECE OF POLICY AROUND THAT ISSUE, THE ACCESS TO REPRESENTATION ACT.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW AND YOUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS ON THAT?

>> WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THE ACCESS TO REPRESENTATION BILL FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.

I THINK THIS IS A FIGHT TO GET MORE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES FUNDING OUT INTO COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED MOST.

THE STATE HAS INCREASED FUNDING OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS CODIFIED INTO LAW.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE ACCESS TO REPRESENTATION ACT WOULD DO, IS ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO IMMIGRATION COURT HAVE A FIGHTING CHANCE AT STAYING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS REMAINING WITH THEIR FAMILIES HERE IN THE GREAT STATE OF NEW YORK.

AND THE ACT WOULD ENSURE THAT ANYONE GOING TO COURT WHO CAN'T AFFORD A LAWYER WILL BE AFFORDED ONE.

>> THE NEW YORK CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION HAS FILED SEVERAL LAWSUITS OVER THE PAST YEAR RELATED TO I.C.E.

RAIDS AND ARRESTS, WHERE I.C.E.

OFFICERS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE STEPPED OUT OF BOUNDS.

IN ONE EXAMPLE YOU HAD MENTIONED EARLIER IN CATO, NEW YORK, IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR, THE NYCLU FOUND FROM AN UNSEALED WARRANT APPLICATION THAT 60 I.C.E.

OFFICERS AND CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL AGENTS DID NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ARREST OR SEIZE ANY OF THE 100 PEOPLE THEY DETAINED THAT DAY.

THE LAWSUIT HIGHLIGHTS THE ISSUE OF THIS KIND OF I.C.E.

INTERFERENCE, NOT BASED ON ANY SUSPICION OF INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES, BUT RATHER RACIAL PROFILING.

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR REACTION TO THIS EXAMPLE?

>> WHAT WE SAW IN CATO IS WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE OF NEW YORK.

THIS IS NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THIS IS LITERALLY RACIAL PROFILING.

AND YOU HAD 60 AGENTS RAID THE CATO FACILITY WITHOUT A WARRANT FOR ANY ONE PERSON WHO WAS THERE.

WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THAT, THEY'RE LIKE, WELL, WHAT WERE THEY DOING THERE?

AND THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION THAT WE SHOULD BE ASKING US, WHICH IS WHY WE COMMEND THE NEW YORK CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION IN FILING THEIR LAWSUIT.

BECAUSE NOW YOU HAVE 100 PEOPLE'S LIVES WHO WERE UPENDED IN THAT DAY AND THEIR RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED.

AND WE'RE SEEING THAT HAPPEN DAY IN AND DAY OUT, WHICH IS WHY IT'S CRITICAL THAT I.C.E.

GETS REINED IN.

AND WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T DO THAT, IT'S INCUMBENT ON CIVIL SOCIETY TO DO IT.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU ARE SEEING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE LAWSUITS AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND I.C.E.

SPECIFICALLY FOR VIOLATING PEOPLE'S RIGHTS.

AND I SHOULD ADD THAT PART OF THE NEW YORK STATE PACKAGE OF IMMIGRANT PROTECTION BILLS THAT PASSED WAS THE NEW YORK STATE BIVENS ACT, WHICH WOULD GIVE NEW YORKERS THE RIGHT TO SUE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN THEY VIOLATE THEIR CIVIL LIBERTIES.

SO ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME.

AND WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO AS CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT STATE TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

AND THEN, WELL, YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE SAY THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE RIGHTS AND OTHERS DON'T, THAT MEANS THAT NONE OF US ACTUALLY DO.

SO WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS THAT WE HAVE AND ENSURE THAT THEY'RE NOT BEING VIOLATED ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HOW STATE AND FEDERAL LEADERS' ACTIONS ON THIS ISSUE SO FAR?

COULD THEY BE DOING MORE?

>> YOU KNOW, OUR FEDERAL LEADERS CAN ALSO BE DOING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WORK.

THE ENTIRE NEW YORK CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION NEEDS TO STEP UP BETTER AND FIGHT FOR THEIR CONSTITUENCIES AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE DELIVERING.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GREAT CHAMPIONS IN THE DELEGATION, BUT IT'S NOT A UNIFIED DELEGATION.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE NEW YORK FEDERAL REP IS STEPPING UP TO FIGHT FOR EVERY SINGLE NEW YORKER WHO'S GETTING ENTRAPPED IN THE MASS DRAGNET OF THE TRUMP DEPORTATION MACHINE THAT WE'RE SEEING HAPPEN RIGHT NOW.

AND AT THE STATE LEVEL, WE NEED TO DO MORE AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT ALL NEW YORKERS AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE ABILITY NOT JUST TO SURVIVE HERE, BUT TO THRIVE HERE.

>> CERTAINLY A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT SESSION.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR TALKING WITH US ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH MURAD AWAWDEH, PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK IMMIGRATION COALITION.

NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT TOPIC, THIS YEAR MARKS THE 58TH YEAR OF NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE CELEBRATION.

THIS WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED IN 1968 BY PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON AS A WEEK, AND LATER ESTABLISHED AS A MONTH LONG CELEBRATION BY PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN.

WHILE THE NATION DECLARED THIS CELEBRATORY TIME PERIOD, IN NEW YORK, MANY HISPANIC COMMUNITIES FACED DISCRIMINATORY CHALLENGES.

THIS WEEK, WE DIVE INTO THE HISTORY OF THOSE CHALLENGES FOR HISPANIC BUSINESSES AND WHAT THIS ISSUE LOOKS LIKE TODAY.

HERE'S THAT STORY.

ALMOST 80 YEARS AGO, WORKING CLASS COMMUNITIES IN NEW YORK CITY, PARTICULARLY HISPANIC COMMUNITIES, WERE DISPLACED AND SYSTEMATICALLY TARGETED BY URBAN PLANNER ROBERT MOSES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF LINCOLN CENTER, EXPRESSWAYS, BRIDGES, AND PARKS.

HISTORY EXPERTS SAY MANY OF THE IMPACTED COMMUNITIES WERE PUERTO RICAN, SPECIFICALLY MANY BUSINESSES THAT WERE DESTROYED, WHICH HAD A LONG TERM IMPACT.

>> AND SO WHAT HAPPENS IS INSTEAD OF MOTHERS AND FATHERS BEING ABLE TO PASS DOWN INTERGENERATIONAL WEALTH TO THEIR SONS OR DAUGHTERS WHO CARRY ON A SMALL BUSINESS, SAY A FURNITURE STORE, SAY A PHARMACY, SAY EVEN A BODEGA, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT WHEN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BEEN WIPED OUT.

AND AGAIN, THERE WERE MANY PUERTO RICAN BUSINESSES IN EAST TREMONT.

THEY WERE MAINLY SMALL BUSINESSES, MAINLY STARTUPS, BUT THOSE WERE DESTROYED.

>> I THINK THE DISPLACEMENT OF LATINO COMMUNITIES IN NEW YORK CITY LARGELY MAPPED ONTO BROADER PATTERNS OF URBAN RENEWAL IN NEW YORK CITY AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, WHICH AFFECTED A VARIETY OF MINORITY AND ETHNIC GROUPS, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE OF WORKING CLASS OR LOWER MIDDLE CLASS POSITION.

>> TODAY, MANY HISPANIC BUSINESSES STILL FACE DISCRIMINATION AND OBSTACLES WHILE TRYING TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISE, FACING ECONOMIC AND LEGAL HARDSHIPS.

LAST YEAR, GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL ANNOUNCED THE STATE DISBURSED MORE THAN $3 BILLION IN PAYMENTS TO MINORITY WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES OR MWBES, AND ACHIEVED A 31 PERCENT UTILIZATION RATE FOR THE PROGRAM.

HOWEVER, MANY MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES ARE NOT EXACTLY SEEING THAT PROFIT.

FABIAN TAYLOR, OWNER OF C&T DISTRIBUTION LLC, A WHOLESALE FOOD DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, HAS BEEN A CERTIFIED MBE FOR ROUGHLY 10 YEARS.

THE PROGRAM, HE SAYS, HOWEVER, HASN'T BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN HELPING HIM WITH FUNDS.

HE SAYS HE HAS SUPPORTED HIS BUSINESS THROUGH HIS OWN SAVINGS AND OTHER PRIVATE AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.

>> I DIDN'T SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE GOVERNMENT SIDE, I'LL BE HONEST.

I DID AT ONE POINT, AND IT ALMOST COST ME MY BUSINESS.

BECAUSE WE WERE GOING THROUGH A CIRCULAR SITUATION.

IT WAS YOU DO ONE THING, AND THEY SAY, OKAY, WE NEED MORE.

YOU DO IT, OKAY, WE NEED MORE.

THE GOALPOST WAS BEING MOVED AND MOVED AND MOVED TO THE POINT THAT, BY THE TIME YOU KNOW IT, YOU KIND OF IGNORE YOUR CORE.

WITH LIMITED PEOPLE, BACK THEN I ONLY HAD 3 OR 4 PEOPLE.

THAT WAS IT.

SO IT KIND OF ALMOST COST ME."

>> NEARLY HALF OF THE STATE'S MINORITY WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS OWNERS ARE HISPANIC, AND MOST HAVE EXPERIENCED DISPARITIES IN ACCESSING CAPITAL WITHIN THE PROGRAM, ACCORDING TO A 2024 EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT STUDY.

THE STUDY SHOWS HISPANIC BUSINESSES WITHIN THE STATE'S DEDICATED PROGRAM EXPERIENCED DISPARITIES ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ALL SERVICES, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION, NON CONSTRUCTION, AND COMMODITIES.

THE MOST ALARMING DISPARITY CHALLENGES AMONG HISPANIC MWBES ARE THE LENGTH OF THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS, THE LACK OF RESPONSE FROM PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING STAFF, AND THE RATE OF CERTIFICATION DENIALS, ACCORDING TO THE 2024 STUDY.

DAN IRIZARRY, FOUNDER OF CAPITAL DISTRICT LATINOS, SAYS COMMUNITY BUSINESS OWNERS NEED MORE FROM STATE LEADERS AND LAWMAKERS.

>> SO THE INTENTION IS THERE.

IT'S A GREAT IDEA TO REACH PARITY AT SOME POINT, IF THAT WERE EVEN POSSIBLE.

BUT THAT'S THE INTENTION.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE OBSTACLES IN THE WAY.

AS MANY PEOPLE IN THIS FIELD KNOW, AND A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS AND IT BEING SO ONEROUS FOR A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> TAYLOR SAYS THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS IN HIS EXPERIENCE IS THAT IT CONTINUES TO GET HARDER, WITH INCREASING REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTATION.

>> MORE CHALLENGING.

THE FIRST TIME IT TOOK ME ROUGHLY TWO WEEKS.

THIS TIME IT TOOK ME ALMOST TWO MONTHS.

>> SOME STATE LAWMAKERS ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT FRAUD WITHIN THE PROGRAM, WHICH IS WHY REQUIREMENTS HAVE FLUCTUATED.

>> MY CONCERNS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE ATROCIOUS AMOUNT OF FRAUD THAT'S IN THAT PROGRAM.

>> TAYLOR SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS LAWMAKERS NEED TO TRY AND PROTECT THE STATE FROM FRAUD; HE ARGUES, HOWEVER, IF THE STATE HAD STRONGER ENFORCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THEIR PROGRAM, THIS ISSUE COULD BE BETTER ADDRESSED, AND BUSINESSES COULD SEE ACTUAL IMPACT FROM THE PROGRAM.

>> IF THERE'S NO REAL ENFORCEMENT, THEN I DON'T SEE THE POINT.

IT'S A GAME, LIKE I SAID, IT'S A GAME.

IF ANYONE HAS BEEN IN THERE, THEY KNOW THEY CALL YOU, AND YOU DO THE SONG AND DANCE, AND ONCE THEY DO THE BID, THEY DISAPPEAR.

>> EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH OVERSEES THE MWBE PROGRAM, SAID IN A STATEMENT SENT TO WMHT THAT THEY ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING MWBES REMAIN A DRIVING ECONOMIC FORCE.

IRIZARRY SAYS THAT WHILE HE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR MWBE CERTIFICATION AS A NONPROFIT, HE HAS BEEN IMPACTED FIRSTHAND BY STATE DOLLARS, HIGHLIGHTING WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESSES TO HAVE FAIR ACCESS.

IRIZARRY IS CURRENTLY UTILIZING A 1.25 MILLION STATE AWARD TO REPAIR THEIR ROOF AND EXPAND THEIR KITCHEN.

>> HERE WE HAVE AN ABUNDANCE OF RICHES IN TERMS OF CULINARY TALENT.

WE HAVE GREAT COOKS, AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE REALLY KIND OF WAITING WITH BATED BREATH FOR OUR KITCHEN, WHICH IS BEING TOTALLY REDONE, TO GET FINISHED.

SO THAT'S ABOUT A HALF MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT.

AND OUR HOPE IS THAT WITH THIS NEW KITCHEN, WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT CERTIFIED AS A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO THEN OPEN IT UP TO THE COMMUNITY AS A RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENTREPRENEURIAL ASPIRATIONS, WHO MIGHT WANT TO GET INTO THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS.

>> TAYLOR SAYS IF HE COULD GET SUPPORT FROM THE MWBE PROGRAM, IT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY HELP OFFSET THE COSTS OF INFLATION.

HE SAYS PRICES CONTINUE TO GO UP FOR OPERATING COSTS, TRUCKING THEIR PRODUCTS BACK AND FORTH.

HE HAS RECENTLY APPLIED FOR FUNDING THROUGH THE PROGRAM TO HELP WITH INCREASING COSTS AND TO LEASE ANOTHER DISTRIBUTION TRUCK.

>> THE PRICE OF DIESEL HAS ALMOST DOUBLED FOR US.

SO THAT'S REALLY TAKING A TOLL.

SO THAT WAS KIND OF LIKE, HEY, I NEED SOME CUSHION TO ABSORB THIS BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO PASS THEM ON TO OTHER FOLKS.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO A SURCHARGE, BUT YOU CANNOT DO THE FULL AMOUNT.

RIGHT?

FOR EXAMPLE, FOR US, A ROUND TRIP WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE 500 BUCKS IN GAS ALONE.

NOW IT'S A LITTLE OVER A THOUSAND.

>> HE HAS NOT YET RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE MWBE PROGRAM.

HE SAYS HE ISN'T VERY HOPEFUL.

>> I ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE.

SO I'VE REACHED OUT TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS.

AND THAT'S JUST ME BY NATURE; I TRY TO SEE WHAT'S OUT THERE.

AND BECAUSE I CANNOT DELAY, BECAUSE IT'S JUST THE NATURE OF THE BUSINESS.

YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR SHELF SPACE, SO IT'S VERY COMPETITIVE.

>> SOME STATE LEGISLATORS SAY THEY HEAR SMALL BUSINESSES' CRIES FOR HELP LOUD AND CLEAR.

>> I HOPE THAT WE CAN MAKE BETTER RESULTS FOR DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A DISPARITY WITHIN THE DISPARITY THAT EXISTS WHERE THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE GAINING ACCESS MORE THAN THE INTENDED GROUP, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S EQUAL ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND CONTRACTS FOR ALL DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE LOWERING THE BARRIERS.

YOU KNOW, OFTENTIMES THERE ARE LAYERS AND LAYERS OF PAPERWORK TO ACHIEVE SOME OF THOSE CAPITAL RESOURCES, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE LOWERING THE THRESHOLD.

AND LATINO FAMILIES AND LATINO BUSINESS OWNERS AND LATINO ENTREPRENEURS ARE REALLY THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY COMMUNITIES LIKE MINE WHERE ONE AND TWO NEIGHBORS ARE LATINO, AND THEY REALLY DESERVE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE A PART OF THAT PROGRAM.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE PREVIOUSLY PASSED LEGISLATION TO INCREASE THE DISCRETIONARY PURCHASING THRESHOLD FROM 750,000 TO 1.5 MILLION.

SOME STATE LAWMAKERS RECOGNIZE, HOWEVER, THAT MORE STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE BIGGEST ISSUES IN THIS PROGRAM- CERTIFICATIONS AND ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

>> WE DEFINITELY WANT TO GROW ON THIS BECAUSE WE WANT MORE PEOPLE APPLYING.

WE WANT MORE CERTIFICATIONS BEING ADMINISTERED, BUT WE ALSO WANT NEW CERTIFICATE HOLDERS TO GET THESE CHANCES AT CONTRACTS.

>> SMALL BUSINESSES ARE LITERALLY THE BACKBONE OF OUR COMMUNITIES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

SO, I THINK ALL OF THE WAYS THAT THE STATE CAN STREAMLINE, CONTINUE TO STREAMLINE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS, EXAMINE THE DATA ESPECIALLY AS IT PERTAINS TO HOW CONTRACTS ARE BEING AWARDED AND THE VALUE OF THOSE, CONTINUING TO WORK WITH OUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND CALLING ATTENTION TO THE BIASES THAT OCCUR WHEN IT COMES TO LENDING.

>> THIS YEAR STATE LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL AIMING TO PROVIDE MORE TIME FOR CERTAIN CERTIFICATION APPLICATIONS.

THE BILL PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND CURRENTLY AWAITS THE GOVERNOR'S REVIEW.

IN A COMMENT SENT TO WMHT, A SPOKESPERSON FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAID THE GOVERNOR WILL REVIEW THE LEGISLATION.

STATE LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO LOOKING AT LEGISLATION AIMING TO ADDRESS PROMPT PAYMENTS TO MWBES.

THIS BILL THIS SESSION DIDN'T MAKE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE.

SENATOR WEBB, THE LEGISLATIVE BILL SPONSOR, SAYS THEY SIMPLY RAN OUT OF TIME WITH A VERY DELAYED BUDGET.

SOME STATE LAWMAKERS LIKE ASSEMBLY MEMBER GABRIELLA ROMERO, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF THE CAPITAL REGION, SAY THIS ISSUE IS SOMETHING AT THE TOP OF THEIR MINDS FOR NEXT SESSION.

>> I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN TACKLING THIS; I ALSO ATTENDED ONE OF THE BUDGET HEARINGS, STATE LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS ABOUT THE MWBE PROCESS AND HOW FRUSTRATING IT IS TO GET ACCESS TO THE FUNDS, SO I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN TACKLING THIS.

>> HISPANIC SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE ARE ALSO FACING IMPACTS FROM THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT-A LARGE SENSE OF FEAR IN MANY IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES IS DECREASING FOOT TRAFFIC TO COMMUNITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.

ACCORDING TO A 2026 STUDY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED FOOT TRAFFIC AND CONSUMER SPENDING, ESPECIALLY IN HISPANIC COMMUNITIES.

SOME STATE LAWMAKERS SAY THEY ARE SEEING THIS ISSUE PLAY OUT IN THEIR DISTRICTS AND THEY ARE VERY CONCERNED.

>> AND WE KNOW THAT THESE SMALL BUSINESSES, THE DOLLAR VALUE, THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT THAT THEY MAKE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, IS WHY I SAY THEY ARE OUR BACKBONE.

THEY'RE NOT ONLY PROVIDING SERVICES AND GOODS.

THEY'RE ALSO PROVIDING JOBS.

SO, THIS IS DEFINITELY A MAJOR, MAJOR CHALLENGE AS WE CONTINUE TO SEE AND HEAR ACCOUNTS OF I.C.E.

>> ASSEMBLY MEMBER SOLAGES SAYS SHE IS HEARING FROM CONTRACTORS THAT THEIR WORKFORCE IS NOT COMING IN.

>> PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO DO THEIR EVERYDAY BUSINESS, AND IT'S REALLY IMPACTING OUR ECONOMY.

>> IRIZARRY SAYS IT'S SAD TO WATCH BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYEES BE IMPACTED BY THIS FEAR.

>> I THINK IT'S NOT JUST HISPANIC BUSINESSES, I THINK IT'S RESTAURANTS THAT EMPLOY PEOPLE IN THE KITCHEN OR IN FOOD SERVICE IN GENERAL, HOSPITALITY, HEALTHCARE; THESE BUSINESSES ARE EXPERIENCING DECLINES BECAUSE THEY CAN'T KEEP THE EMPLOYEES THAT THEY HAD FOR FEAR OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

>> IRIZARRY SAYS WHILE MANY PEOPLE ARE AFRAID, THERE IS ALSO A SENSE OF STRENGTH AND FIGHT AMONG HISPANIC COMMUNITIES.

HE HIGHLIGHTED ONE WORD - RESILIENCE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN UNDER ATTACK AT VARIOUS DIFFERENT POINTS IN HISTORY, BUT WE'VE ALWAYS HAD THE BENEFIT OF UNITING AS A COMMUNITY AND FINDING OUR OWN COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND THE MUTUAL AID, IF YOU WILL, TO WEATHER THE STORM.

AND I THINK THAT, THAT IS TRUE TODAY.

>> AGAIN, STATE LAWMAKERS STRESS THIS IS A PRIORITY ISSUE FOR THEM AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO BRING YOU UPDATES ON THIS ISSUE RIGHT HERE ON THE SHOW.

WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF NEW YORK NOW.

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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