This summary was featured in Documented’s Early Arrival newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox three times per week here.
The U.S. Court of Appeals in New York has upheld a ruling that blocked the Trump administration’s so-called public charge rule. The U.S. Supreme Court decided in January that the rule, which is essentially a wealth test that determines whether immigrants can get visas or green cards, can move forward. In a 114-page ruling, the New York court upheld an October order by U.S. District Court Judge George B. Daniels, which blocked the rule. The appeals court limited the effect of the order to New York, Connecticut and Vermont — the states that are part of the court’s jurisdiction. Bloomberg
In other local immigration news…
Nonprofits Supporting Immigrants Suffer From State Budget Cuts
A long list of public services are teetering on the edge due to New York state’s budget freeze, including nonprofits that cater to immigrants. New York state suspended its contracts with these nonprofits, including state-funded programs that provide support to immigrants in the criminal justice system, which could ultimately increase deportations and the time immigrants spend in detention. In addition to the uncertain finances ahead, multiple nonprofits, already anxious on how they can maintain spending, say they still have not received contract reimbursements from last year’s budget. Some organizations will need to lay off staff but remain obligated to complete cases. A coalition of 78 organizations expressed “grave concern” about payment freezes and underscored the urgency of maintaining funding for the New York Immigration Family Unity Project and the Liberty Defense Project, as well as its $10 million allocation to the budget for the 2021 fiscal year. Read more at Documented
Documented is Hiring a Fundraiser
Documented seeks a full-time development director to develop and implement a fundraising strategy alongside the co-executive directors. This role will involve applying for grants, building new relationships with foundations and nurturing existing ones. Now in its third year, Documented has received funding from the Ford Foundation, Borealis Philanthropy and the Emerson Collective, among other organizations. The director will be expected to design and execute a fundraising program that builds upon our previous efforts with foundations and membership while researching opportunities in other sectors like corporate social responsibility and impact investing. The Development Director will lead the organization’s foundation fundraising, including the production of grant applications and reports, identification of foundation prospects through research, building new relationships with foundations and nurturing existing ones. They will also work closely with the rest of the team to build a membership program and plan annual digital fundraising campaigns. Our ideal candidate will have a background in development and an interest in the worlds of journalism and immigration. To learn more about the job go here.
A Third of New York Small Businesses Could Close Due to the Pandemic
The coronavirus has left New York’s economy in tatters. Tens of thousands of people have been laid off from work and unemployment and extra stimulus benefits are steadily running out. Small businesses have been hit particularly hard. Over 2,800 businesses in the city have been permanently closed since March 1, mostly in Manhattan and the Bronx. When the pandemic is over, nearly one third of the City’s 240,000 small businesses may never reopen, according to a report from the Partnership for New York City. Small businesses represent roughly 98 percent of the employers in the city and provide jobs to more than 3 million people, according to the City. The New York Times
Correction: A previous version of this post incorrectly said that 240,000 small businesses may never reopen. The correct estimate is a third of 240,000 small businesses may never reopen.
