Vera Institute of Justice

Overview

As New York lawmakers have proposed investing $175 million in immigration legal services in the fiscal year 2027 budget, new polling from Vera Action and YouGov shows massive support for funding immigrant legal defense. The poll shows that 70 percent of New Yorkers support a right to representation in immigration court, including an especially high percentage of Democrats, Black and Hispanic voters, and union households. Across demographics, New Yorkers recognize legal representation as essential to protecting workers’ rights, due process, and the stability of families and communities.