Fine up to $ 250 thousand: in New York, you can no longer use the word "illegal" and threaten immigrants with deportation

In New York, the Human Rights Commission issued a decree prohibiting people from being discriminated against, fired or barred from any public place because of their immigration status and national origin. This is stated in the relevant decree. Commission.

“In New York, a person cannot be discriminated against because of their actual or perceived immigration status or national origin, in employment, in their place of residence, in public places such as shops, hospitals and cinemas,” the document says.

The emphasis is on the fact that a person has rights, regardless of immigration status.

In addition, it is illegal for the employer, employees, and landlords to use the term “illegal” to humiliate or intimidate a person.

Protection of rights at work

According to the decree, such actions of the employer and employees committed on the basis of the immigration status or national origin of another person are illegal:

• Pay lower wages to employees, or not pay at all, threaten immigration and ICE (US Immigration and Customs Service) for harassment or intimidation.
• Employers are required to request certain documents from potential employees confirming their right to work. However, they cannot require additional documents to prove this right based on assumptions about the immigration status of the employee or his national origin.
• An employer cannot refuse employment if the applicant does not have a work permit. Also, he does not have the right to require any additional documents from the applicant.

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Rental Rights Protection

With regard to rental housing, it is considered illegal for a landlord or those who provide rental services:

• Refuse to sell or rent, restrict privileges or other conditions on the basis of immigration status.
• Harass tenants due to immigration status or national origin.
• Refuse to make repairs or provide poor housing based on the origin of the person.
• Call ICE workers to intimidate residents.

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Protection of rights when visiting public places

For restaurants, shops, hospitals or any other public, the following is prohibited:

• Denying or making people feel unwelcome due to their immigration status or national origin.
• Discrimination against customers due to their emphasis, limited English proficiency or use of another language.
• It is against the law to punish anyone because they have taken measures against discriminatory behavior, such as a complaint at the workplace or filing a complaint with the New York Human Rights Commission or another agency.

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A resident of the city who violates these rules may face a fine of up to 250 thousand dollars.