Damayan Held Know Your Immigrant Rights and Free Tax Prep Training to a Packed Audience
“[I gained alot of knowledge], from rights and tax preparation, which I was really interested in! If you go to a specific library, they will help you [with taxes]… The meeting was really really good.”
Kuya Bernie, Damayan Worker Leader
Last Saturday, our Damayan members learned about their immigrant rights and gained knowledge about NYC Free Tax Prep resources! Attendees heard the following:
Know Your Immigrant Rights Workshop: Immigration Attorney Alex Hu from the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) shared with workers how they can exercise their rights and protect themselves, no matter their immigration status. Attendees learned how to handle ICE encounters and protect themselves from violations and immigration fraud. Workers also learned about the types of immigration relief—like the U and T visa and VAWA for survivors of domestic abuse. Attorney Alex Hu also emphasized the importance of carrying around an ID like the IDNYC, not a passport, especially if you’re undocumented.
Free Tax Prep Training, NYC Dept of Consumer Affairs: Reina Revina from the New York City Department of Worker and Consumer Protection (DCWP) encouraged workers to avail themselves of New York City’s services for Free Tax Preparation around New York City! Workers learned that anyone can file taxes regardless of their immigration status. With the possibility of gaining child tax credits and other tax credits, filing taxes with New York City’s qualified tax preparers can empower workers to achieve economic justice.
Damayan Updates, Current Events: Damayan Organizer & Case Manager, Lydia Catina presented a recap of the past few months, starting with our successful Timeline Launch in December 2023 to our Legal Clinic last February, Damayan continued to serve its constituency. Damayan Executive Director Riya Ortiz also discussed International Women’s Day, the day’s roots in worker organizing, and the urgency of remaining in solidarity with the people of Gaza as Israel continues to attack and kill Palestinian families.
Celebrations: What's a Damayan event without fun? As a community, we ate together, celebrated our members’ birthdays, and, of course, sang Karaoke! Damayan treasures our meetings so we can empower our members and also bond as a community.
Our members work long days to provide for their families here and abroad but with these changing political times, we urge our community members to stay involved in our events. Know Your Rights training like the one we held last Saturday is pivotal in empowering our members. Damayan will continue to provide services and training, as well as mobilize workers to organize with us and serve the people!
The only secure community is an organized community. Join Damayan as a member here