Immigrant advocates, community organizations and New Yorkers rallied against the policies proposed by former President Donald Trump’s "Project 2025" at Foley Square on Thursday, shortly after learning of his return to the White House after the election.
The coalition consisting of local lawmakers and advocacy groups, including Neighbors Link and led by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) described Trump's planned mass deportation of immigrants as a dangerous agenda that would potentially devastate the city's economy and social fabric, according to a press release.
"Trump has underestimated our strength before, and we will show him once again that we are united and resilient," said Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition. "The work ahead will be challenging. But united, we can ensure New York remains a beacon of hope for our immigrant neighbors and future generations. Together, we will keep fighting for a future where every New Yorker can thrive."
Project 2025, an initiative Trump has outlined for a potential second term, aims to establish a nationwide system of mass deportations. If enacted, the proposal could result in the forced removal of as many as 11 million undocumented immigrants across the U.S., including an estimated 4.5 million people living in New York alone.
Critics argued that such policies would not only tear apart families and communities but also undermine the values of inclusion and justice, which New Yorkers live by. Large-scale deportations, they warned, would cost New York City billions in lost productivity and harming countless small businesses that rely on immigrant labor.
“Neighbors Link joins with NYIC and fellow member organizations to vehemently oppose any policies that would rip families apart,” said Otero Bracco, executive director of Neighbors Link. “The Trump administration’s anticipated push for increased deportations, targeting millions, represents a direct threat not only to immigrant families but to the very fabric of communities across the nation.”
Among the speakers was Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, who represents New York’s 7th Congressional District. Velázquez emphasized the essential role immigrants play in the state’s economy and culture.
“As New Yorkers, we know that our immigrant communities help make up the backbone of our economy and culture. Trump’s extreme MAGA agenda and promise of mass deportations have the potential to devastate families, disrupt communities, and hurt our great city,” Velázquez said. “We must stand together to ensure New York remains a safe, welcoming home for all who seek a better life.”
As the crowd dispersed, chants of “Immigrants are welcome here” echoed through Foley Square, a testament to the unity and resolve of those committed to protecting immigrant rights in New York and beyond.
"I will not stand by and allow deportation policies proposed by an ultra-conservative administration to incite violence, economic disruption, or the devastation of our vibrant immigrant communities. We must put an end to hateful rhetoric and protect our immigrant communities that make NYC whole,” said Brooklyn Council Member Alexa Aviles, who is also the chair of the Immigration Committee for the City Council.
