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NYC Council passes Shekar Krishnan’s immigrant data bill
The measure expands race and ethnicity data collection to better represent immigrant and AAPI communities in city policymaking.
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 30, Oct 2025
- 14:40 EDT
- 17
Shekar Krishnan. / X (Shekar Krishnan)
The New York City Council on Oct. 29 passed Council Member Shekar Krishnan’s bill requiring city agencies to collect and publish more detailed race and ethnicity data.
The measure, Introduction 1134-A, aims to improve representation of immigrant and Asian American communities in city policymaking by mandating agencies to update demographic forms with expanded race and ethnicity options based on U.S. Census standards.
Also Read: Shekhar Krishnan flays Adams for vetoing NYC street vendor decriminalization bill
While National Republicans vacation, @nyccouncil is hard at work. Today, we passed 3 of my bills: one that ensures our diverse immigrant communities are represented in city data, another to educate students about water safety, & the last demanding Trump protect Social Security. pic.twitter.com/qPiJbKyX1r
— Shekar Krishnan (@voteshekar) October 30, 2025
Agencies must also provide voluntary demographic surveys to individuals filling out these forms. The city’s Office of Operations will produce a report listing which forms each agency can amend, any barriers preventing updates, and whether agencies have applied for or received waivers.
Within one year of publication, agencies must evaluate their services based on the new data, report any modifications, and submit copies of updated forms.
“New York City prides itself on being diverse, but we don’t have the data to back it,” Krishnan said.
“Our communities, especially our AAPI communities, are treated as a monolith. But after today, that will no longer be the case because the City Council is passing my legislation, Intro 1134, and putting an end to city agencies lacking data that is inclusive of the diversity of our city. As the first Indian American elected to City Council, I’m proud to usher in meaningful reform that ensures all our voices are in the room when the government makes critical decisions,” he said.
Council Member Shahana Hanif, who co-sponsored the bill, said she was proud to work with Krishnan on legislation that “ensures our diverse immigrant communities are represented in city data.”
Advocacy groups such as the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) have long called for disaggregated data collection, arguing that aggregated racial categories mask disparities among subgroups and hinder policymaking.
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