ADVERTISEMENTs
NYC Council Member Krishnan backs key immigrant reforms
As part of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, Krishnan helped secure a $3 million allocation to fund the Culturally Specific Gender-Based Violence Initiative
-
1749497506.png)
Malvika Choudhary - Sat, 12, Jul 2025
- 16:47 EDT
- 9
The New York City Council Celebrates Funding for AAPI Curriculum in Public Schools / Credit John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit
Indian American New York City Council Member Shekar Krishnan (D–Jackson Heights) spearheaded two major initiatives focused on supporting immigrant communities in New York City.
As part of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, Krishnan helped secure a $3 million allocation to fund the Culturally Specific Gender-Based Violence Initiative, a first-of-its-kind program supporting grassroots organizations that assist domestic violence survivors in immigrant and culturally diverse communities.
Also Read: Shekar Krishnan hails NYC’s first-ever AAPI curriculum in public schools
The funding is designed to ensure survivors can access services in the languages they speak and within cultural frameworks that reflect their lived realities.
“All New Yorkers must get the support and services they need, and all survivors deserve to have services in the languages they speak,” Krishnan said during the announcement. He emphasized the importance of culturally and linguistically aligned advocacy for survivors to “open up, trust, and see a pathway forward.”
In the FY26 city budget, the Council secured $3M for the Culturally Specific Gender-Based Violence Initiative.
— New York City Council (@NYCCouncil) July 8, 2025
This first-of-its-kind initiative will provide funding directly to grassroots organizations that support domestic violence survivors in immigrant communities. pic.twitter.com/w2H4th5cA1
Representing Queens’ 25th District (Elmhurst, Jackson Heights), Krishnan noted the persistent challenge survivors face in finding service providers who understand their culture and language.
“It is through these advocates our communities are served every single day,” he said, acknowledging the essential role of community-based organizations in safeguarding vulnerable populations.
The initiative was launched alongside Council Members Sandra Ung and Linda Lee, with support from advocacy organizations including Womankind, Sakhi for South Asian Women, the Korean American Family Service Center, and Safe Horizon. Services under the initiative will include interpretation, legal aid for U- and T-Visa applicants, counseling, and culturally competent referrals.
Immigrants make up 96% of the city's street vendors. Lately, they have been increasingly targeted by the NYPD.
— New York City Council (@NYCCouncil) July 8, 2025
A new bill sponsored by @CMShekarK has decriminalized street vending, protecting vendors from unnecessary ticketing, which is especially important during a time of… pic.twitter.com/t8VKtcH2Mm
In a parallel development, Krishnan also led the passage of Intro. 47, a bill that decriminalizes street vending in New York City. With immigrants making up 96 percent of the city’s vendors, the legislation addresses the disproportionate impact of misdemeanor charges and ticketing on immigrant workers—particularly in the context of heightened federal immigration enforcement.
Previously, unlicensed vending and related infractions could result in criminal penalties, including fines of up to $1,000 and jail time. Under the new law, such offenses are downgraded to civil violations, with fines capped at $250 and no risk of arrest. The bill passed the City Council with a veto-proof majority and is now awaiting Mayor Eric Adams’ signature. If enacted, it will take effect in January 2026.
Krishnan described the reform as urgent and necessary. “No vendor should face jail time because of a broken vending system,” he said. “With Donald Trump’s growing attacks on immigrants, passing Intro. 47 is more important than ever to protect our immigrant street vendors.”
According to city records, the NYPD issued over 9,300 vending-related enforcement actions in 2024—more than double the previous year. The bill has been praised by advocacy groups like the Street Vendor Project, which called it a critical shift toward treating vendors as legitimate small business owners and protecting them from criminal records that could threaten their immigration status.
Related
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login