Statement from MOIA Commissioner Faiza N. Ali on Governor Hochul’s Funding Announcement to Provide Legal Services for Unaccompanied Minors

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 12, 2026
Contact: Benjamin Fang-Estrada, bfang@moia.nyc.gov 

NEW YORK – In response to Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, and Attorney General Letitia James’ announcement of $7.25 million in new funding to provide legal services for approximately 1,400 unaccompanied minors in New York, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Commissioner Faiza N. Ali issued the following statement: 

“Unaccompanied children have fled violence, trafficking, abuse, and other dangerous conditions in their home countries to seek safety in the United States. They deserve due process and the opportunity to build their lives here in New York. As I witnessed alongside providers last week inside immigration court, young children without legal representation are being forced to navigate one of the most complex legal systems in the country on their own, often in a language they do not speak fluently. I saw children being given only weeks to find a lawyer, complete complex immigration forms, and return to court prepared to make their case. That is an extraordinary expectation for anyone, let alone a child who arrived in this country alone.   

“The Trump Administration’s decision to end the federal contract for legal services has made an already urgent situation even more difficult. The need for legal representation is growing, proceedings are moving quickly, and providers are facing reduced capacity at precisely the moment these children need them most. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership by stepping up to close this gap created by the federal government, and Mayor Mamdani and Attorney General James for their partnership in standing up for these children. We must continue working together to ensure these young New Yorkers have the resources and support they need to build safe and stable lives.  

“As we see an increase in immigration enforcement in our city, immigrant New Yorkers should know that their safety and well-being remain a priority for the City of New York. The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs is working across City government and with trusted community partners to ensure New Yorkers know their rights, can safely access essential services, and can connect with trusted legal support. We will continue to be present in the communities most affected, respond to emerging needs, and make sure immigrant New Yorkers know that their city sees them, stands with them, and will continue to support them.”