"Our clients are not serving sentences — they are trapped in legal limbo, deteriorating in a jail system utterly unequipped to meet their needs." Elena Landriscina, supervising attorney at Legal Aid https://bit.ly/4r2LoAp

Legal Aid attorney Rigodis Appling, explains why the Protest Testimony Project matters — and how community voices turn lived experience into real impact. Follow @ptpproject.bsky.social for updates and join us at an upcoming roundtable workshop. Your testimony matters.

🚨We're suing the Trump Administration. “The State Department cannot rewrite immigration law to advance a discriminatory agenda.” Hasan Shafiqullah, supervising attorney at Legal Aid. https://legalaidnyc.org/news/lawsuit-end-trump-75-country-visa-ban/

This appointment is a critical moment to finally address the dangerous, unlawful conditions the City has failed to address for years. We urge the Mamdani Administration to seize this opportunity and deliver lasting, meaningful reform. More: legalaidnyc.org/news/judge-a...

Our attorneys are fighting an impossible situation: clients are denied early release for not completing programs they were never given access to. The system promises a path and then sets them up to fail. ⬇️ https://nysfocus.com/2026/01/26/doccs-prison-programs-early-release-parole-guard-strike

On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul released her FY2027 Executive Budget — and we’re relieved it does not include any regressive changes to New York’s Raise the Age law. This is an important step in the right direction.

New Yorkers experiencing domestic violence now have a new path to safety and independence. A new program will provide free legal help for divorces, removing a major barrier for survivors who have been trapped by financial abuse and unable to afford an attorney. More: legalaidnyc.org/news/a-new-p...

This report again confirms that the status quo at Rikers Island has failed. This moment demands more than incremental change or recycled promises. More:https://queenseagle.com/all/2026/1/14/rikers-island-still-mired-in-violence-as-receivership-looms

“The tenants have already paid the price of this owner’s neglect with their health, safety, and dignity. Edward Josephson, Supervising Attorney at Legal Aid. More: https://legalaidnyc.org/news/prevent-sale-neglected-buildings/

VICTORY! LAS and the National Center for Law and Economic Justice secured a court order reopening hundreds of wage claims and secured class cert in litigation against the NYSDOL on behalf of home care aides forced to work 24-hour shifts for only 13 hours of pay. legalaidnyc.org/news/order-h...

BREAKING: The Legal Aid Society and Jenner and Block LLP today filed a lawsuit challenging the New York State Office of Children and Family Services’ (OCFS) unlawful policy and practice of routinely locking children in their care in solitary confinement. legalaidnyc.org/news/lawsuit...

The city has created unnecessarily complex processes and procedures that delay contract budget approval and invoice submission. This complexity diverts limited staff time to attending to this rather than other crucial priorities. More: https://www.amny.com/news/city-not-paying-contract-legal-org/

BREAKING NEWS - The Legal Aid Society and Empire Justice are proud to announce a landmark $4 million grant to build and launch a first-of-its-kind statewide Training Center dedicated to strengthening and expanding civil legal services across New York. legalaidnyc.org/news/4m-inve...

Shelter staff on the front lines are stepping up, turning away federal immigration agents without judicial warrants and enforcing NYC’s sanctuary law. https://gothamist.com/news/ice-enters-nyc-shelters-armed-and-without-judicial-warrants-reports-show

LAS and Brooklyn Defender Services mourn the loss of Aramis Furse. It is imperative that all criminal legal system stakeholders consider every possible alternative to incarcerating people at Rikers Island. More: https://legalaidnyc.org/news/las-mourns-the-loss-of-client-aramis-furse/

We’ve reached a landmark settlement in Forest v. the City of New York that forces major reforms to how SNAP and Cash Assistance are processed. https://legalaidnyc.org/news/settlement-end-delays-snap-cash-assistance/

This order will further endanger TGNCNBI people in custody, who already experience extraordinarily high rates of sexual violence. New York City Council must act now and pass Intro 625. https://www.npr.org/2025/12/04/nx-s1-5630490/prison-doj-safety-memo-changes-trans-lgbtq-inmates

We’re almost there. What can YOU do to help get the Coerced Debt Bill signed into law? Repost and tag Governor @kathyhochulny to let her know that New York survivors need this support NOW! https://bit.ly/44KRKuR

This Giving Tuesday, your support helps power the fight for equal justice in every borough. We’re grateful to have Second City standing with us — they’re donating 10% of all ticket sales today to support our work. 🎭 Join us in building real justice today. Donate here: https://bit.ly/4iE9e24

Four Legal Aid Society leaders — Twyla Carter, Adriene Holder, Meghna Philip & Alice Fontier — have been appointed to Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s transition team, bringing vital insight on housing & the criminal legal system for New Yorkers. https://legalaidnyc.org/news/mamdani-transition-team/

BREAKING: We just filed a federal class action lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s civil fines that force immigrants to choose between self-deportation or penalties up to $1.82M each. https://legalaidnyc.org/news/federal-immigration-fines-unconstitutional/

If a loved one is detained by ICE, knowing what to do next can make all the difference. We’ve put together a guide with clear steps and links to key resources: 🔗 https://legalaidnyc.org/es/get-help/immigration-deportation/what-you-need-to-know-if-a-loved-one-is-detained-by-ice/

After more than a decade of little to no oversight, The Legal Aid Society has launched a public webpage revealing NYPD contracts for invasive surveillance technologies once hidden from public view. 🔗 https://legalaidnyc.org/news/nypd-surveillance-contracts/

Forcing transgender people to carry passports that misrepresent who they are exposes them to discrimination and danger, denying them the dignity of being recognized for who they truly are. More: https://legalaidnyc.org/news/supreme-court-ruling-discriminatory-passport-policy/

Despite laws meant to keep families together, too many kids are placed in harmful group homes and institutions instead of being supported in their own communities. This must end. 📢 Stand with us: https://www.areyoulisteningny.org/joinus

We released the following statement on Governor Kathy Hochul’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) announcement: "While we appreciate Governor Hochul’s efforts to keep New Yorkers fed, Albany must do more to protect the more than 3 million households that rely on SNAP.

Got questions about SNAP? Our new guide covers what you need to know if the government shutdown continues. ⬇️ https://legalaidnyc.org/get-help/government-benefits/what-you-need-to-know-about-snap-during-the-government-shutdown/

Millions of New Yorkers rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Yet USDA is withholding funds needed for states to issue November benefits — putting families, seniors, and children at risk of hunger. We’re calling on USDA to release these funds now. legalaidnyc.org/news/usda-re...

"True public safety cannot rely on tools that violate the rights and dignity of the very communities they claim to protect.” Anthony Posada, Legal Aid Read about yesterday's rally ⬇️ https://legalaidnyc.org/news/advocates-rally-to-abolish-nypd-gang-database/

There needs to be legislation and services provided, so that when these children come back to the community, they can learn to be productive.” Samantha Seda, LAS Staff Attorney https://imprintnews.org/top-stories/young-new-yorkers-rally-for-youth-justice-reforms-amid-looming-threats/268123

Following reports of racial profiling and indiscriminate force during yesterday’s ICE raid in Chinatown, The Legal Aid Society is investigating and demanding accountability. https://gothamist.com/news/many-street-vendors-missing-from-canal-st-a-day-after-federal-raid-in-lower-manhattan

🚨 KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS A PROTESTER! Stay prepared — visit our Get Help Hub for trusted legal info from Legal Aid attorneys. 🔗 https://legalaidnyc.org/get-help/arrests-policing/what-you-need-to-know-about-protesting/

Join us on October 21st at 2pm as we march from Horizon Detention Facility to St. Mary’s Park—demanding youth justice and a system rooted in healing, not punishment. https://bit.ly/YJAM2025

Regardless of incremental reforms, true public safety can’t be built on discriminatory databases that trample on the rights and dignity of New Yorkers. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/nyregion/nypd-gang-database.html

“What’s happening in these facilities is not just neglectful — it’s a violation of their fundamental rights and a failure of the very systems meant to safeguard New York’s most vulnerable youth.” Dawne Mitchell, Chief Attorney, Legal Aid Society. legalaidnyc.org/news/end-dan...

Since 1989, 3,735 people in the U.S. have been exonerated after spending more than 34,000 years in prison for crimes they didn’t commit. And the number keeps growing.

Confusion. Fear. Exploitation. The Trump administration’s unclear rollout of new asylum fees has left thousands of immigrants scrambling—and opened the door for scammers to profit off their fear. https://nysfocus.com/2025/09/29/asylum-100-dollar-fee

"These repeated violations of the law must end immediately. DOC must be prevented from inflicting the pain and trauma of solitary confinement on anyone in its custody.” Veronica Vela, Supervising Attorney, Legal Aid More: legalaidnyc.org/news/lawsuit...

A Major Victory: Orville Etoria Is Free. We’re relieved to share that Orville Etoria has been released from an Eswatini prison and safely returned to Jamaica. More: legalaidnyc.org/news/orville...

While we welcome the Inspector General’s decision to investigate, accountability cannot end there. The City must confront the NYPD’s unlawful reliance on custodial arrests for low-level offenses and the unsafe and inhumane conditions in precincts and courthouses. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/n...

NYPD impunity is killing New Yorkers. At least 9 people have died in NYPD custody this year. Join us Sept 22, 9 AM @ City Hall to demand accountability.

In a historic affordability crisis, underfunding the RTC program is a choice that fuels eviction & displacement. Now more than ever, there is an urgent need for increased funding to ensure all New Yorkers have access to the zealous legal representation they deserve. Learn more: bit.ly/48ruNPY

“ Under Trump 2.0, we are seeing increased isolation again, this time with immigrants fearing completing daily tasks due to the potential for ICE enforcement.” Rachel Goldsmith, Director of Social Work, LAS More: gothamist.com/news/fearful...

BREAKING: We are demanding an immediate investigation into a series of tragic deaths of New Yorkers held in NYPD custody. The NYPD’s lack of transparency around how and why these deaths occurred is unacceptable. gothamist.com/news/with-5-...

Now more than ever, there is an urgent need for increased funding to ensure all New Yorkers have full and fair access to the zealous legal representation they need and deserve. ⬇️ citylimits.org/fewer-eligib...

"One of the United States’ most devastating human rights violations." Mary Lynne Werlwas, Director of the Prisoner’s Rights Project, Legal Aid www.thetimes.com/us/news-toda...

“By requesting permission from the court to appeal this decision, Mayor Adams is once again prioritizing bureaucratic delay over the urgent needs of families facing eviction and homelessness.” Robert Desir, Civil Law Reform Unit, Legal Aid citylimits.org/adams-admini...

Our sincere condolences go out to Mr. Avila’s family and friends. With each of these deaths, the City responds with the same boilerplate language, but conditions don’t improve, the people we represent continue to suffer, and these tragic deaths continue to mount. legalaidnyc.org/news/las-mou...

LAS mourns the loss of client Christopher Nieves, who died while in NYPD custody at Bklyn Criminal Court. This loss represents at least the 12th person this year to die in City custody or shortly after being released. We demand a full investigation into his death: legalaidnyc.org/news/las-mou...

“Everyone, including the NYPD, knows that facial recognition technology is unreliable, yet the NYPD disregards even its own protocols...Elected officials must act now to ban its use by law enforcement.” Diane Akerman, LAS Digital Forensics Unit legalaidnyc.org/news/demands...