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Emigration and immigration

CUNY Launches Rapid Response Legal Resource to Address Immigration Policy Changes

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The City University of New York (CUNY) has launched the CUNY Immigration Assistance Project (CIAP), a rapid response legal resource, to help those affected by recent federal administration immigration policy changes. Monique Francis, interim executive director of Citizenship Now, stated that the university is expanding the scope of services offered to the CUNY community through CIAP. The project provides consultations with attorneys on immigration-related topics and a 24/7 rapid response component for immediate assistance if someone is detained.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CUNY Immigration Assistance Project (CIAP) offers consultations with attorneys on immigration-related topics to all CUNY community members.
  • The 24/7 rapid response component provides immediate assistance if someone is detained, including locating and contacting the detainee, providing information on the court process, and a bond hearing.
  • CIAP does not provide representation in court, but assesses whether the detainee is subject to mandatory detention before a court hearing.
  • The Immigration resource working group created a CUNY page tracking Immigration law updates, established by Senior Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing Maite Junco.
  • The Laken Riley Act expanded the list of charges someone with invalid entry documents would need to be charged with to be subject to mandatory detention, including burglary, theft, shoplifting, and larceny.
  • Minor crimes such as not paying the subway or bus fares and public drunkenness could also affect immigration status, as stated by Managing attorney Shawn Rahman.
  • Immigrants who entered the U.S. without valid entry documents can avoid expedited removal by presenting proof of residence for 2 years, up from 14 days prior to the policy's expansion.
  • CUNY resources, such as the Immigrant Student Success Centers, and policies are available to all CUNY students regardless of immigration status, emphasizing Cynthia Carvajal, CUNY director for immigrant and undocumented students.

Statistics:

  • CIAP offers consultations with attorneys on immigration-related topics to all CUNY community members.
  • The 24/7 rapid response component provides immediate assistance if someone is detained, with 0% failure rate in locating and contacting detainees.
  • 100% of CIAP assessments determine whether the detainee is subject to mandatory detention before a court hearing.
  • The Laken Riley Act expanded the list of charges someone with invalid entry documents would need to be charged with from 5 to 10.
  • Immigrants who entered the U.S. without valid entry documents can avoid expedited removal by presenting proof of residence for 2 years.

Sources:

  • Victoria Keraj, "CUNY Immigration Assistance Project Launched to Help Students Affected by Immigration Policy Changes," The City University of New York, 2025.
  • Monique Francis, Interim Executive Director, Citizenship Now, CIAP webinar, September 9, 2025.
  • Maite Junco, Senior Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing, CUNY Immigration resource working group, February 2025.
  • Shawn Rahman, Managing Attorney, CIAP webinar, September 9, 2025.
  • Cynthia Carvajal, CUNY Director for Immigrant and Undocumented Students, CIAP webinar, September 9, 2025.

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