Threats to immigrants in New York can now go to jail

New York Governor Katie Hawkul has signed legislation criminalizing threats to expose a person's immigration status. New law equates the threat of exposing an illegal immigration status to extortion or duress. Similar regulations already apply in California, Colorado, Maryland and Virginia. Spectrum Local News.

Threatening to disclose a person's immigration status in cases of human trafficking or sexual exploitation is already illegal. But earlier this was not equated with extortion or coercion, that is, now the responsibility will be tougher.

Hawkul said New York was "built with the hard work and determination of generations of immigrants." And the authorities need to support people trying to improve their lives for themselves and their families.

“This law will protect New Yorkers from intruders who use extortion or duress because of their immigration status. It will make our state safer from nefarious threats and intimidation, ”said the governor.

This measure will allow the prosecutor's office to open a blackmail case when a person is threatened with deportation, forcing him to commit a certain act or provide a service. The law works even if the case is not related to human trafficking or labor relations.

On the subject: New York began to issue financial aid to illegal immigrants who lost their jobs: you can get up to $ 15 600

"For illegalfleeing danger in his home country, the message to ICE is a death sentence. But unfortunately, too many people are willing to take advantage of the vulnerability of their neighbors, ”said Senator Anna Kaplan, co-sponsor of the bill in the State Senate.

Kaplan added that with this long-overdue measure, the state is updating its extortion and coercion laws. It is a guarantee that "immigrants in New York will not be vulnerable to such heinous threats."

Extortion and blackmail in New York is criminalized and punished very seriously. Defendants can receive anywhere from four years in prison for low-level extortion to twenty-five years for an elaborate blackmail scheme.