Immigrant Advocates Celebrate Senate’s Passage of the Language Access Act, Call on Assembly to Follow Suit

USANewsOnline.Com Desk, New York —April 1, the New York Immigration Coalition, elected officials, member organizations, allies, and immigrant New Yorkers celebrated the passage of the Language Access Expansion Act in the New York State Senate.
Championed by Senator April Baskin (D-63), the State Senate moved to pass the Language Access Act (S5535/A4875) with bipartisan support, extending the current Language Access policy. This legislation will require New York State agencies to expand the existing language access law to include additional state and local agencies for the provision of interpretation and translation services. Additionally, the bill includes the creation of a countywide list of languages to reflect local language needs, and requires local offices of public-facing state agencies to offer in-person interpretation services.
The bill will now go to the State Assembly, followed by Governor Hochul’s office, to become law.
“No one should be shut out of critical care, information, or protections because of the language they speak. We thank Senator Baskin for championing this bill and recognizing that language should not be a barrier to any New Yorker accessing critical government services. For far too long, there has been unequal access to vital services and information for immigrant New Yorkers. The Language Access Expansion Act will empower immigrant communities to be able to access the information they need and to effectively communicate their specific needs in the language they speak, strengthening community engagement with essential government services. We now call on the State Assembly to follow suit by passing this vital piece of legislation. We also urge both Houses to include $6M in the Enacted Budget to ensure the Office of Language Access is accessible to all New Yorkers,” said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition.
“Yesterday, the Senate once again passed this critical legislation, and I urge my colleagues in the Assembly to approve it this session. I have seen firsthand the impact that strong language access services have had at home in Erie County, where more residents are able to navigate government services and access the resources they need. Expanding language access statewide ensures every New Yorker can engage with their government with dignity. It’s time to build on what’s already working and ensure all New Yorkers can access critical services in the language they are most comfortable using,” said State Senator April N.M. Baskin, District 63.
“As an Assemblymember and sponsor of A.4875, I see every day how language remains a major roadblock for immigrant New Yorkers trying to access vital state services. True equity and inclusion in New York require the expansion of language access; it is what bridges cultural divides and guarantees that every resident has an equal shot at essential resources and opportunities. The Senate has already acted, and the Assembly must do the same. I urge my colleagues to advance A.4875 without further delay. We have a responsibility to ensure that no New Yorker is prevented from thriving simply because of the language they speak,” said Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos, District 72.
“I applaud the New York State Senate for taking this important step in advancing the Language Access Expansion Act. This legislation is critical to ensuring that all New Yorkers, regardless of the language they speak, can access essential services with dignity and clarity. For Urdu speaking and broader South Asian communities, language access is not a luxury, it is a necessity for navigating healthcare, education, legal systems, and emergency services. This bill represents a meaningful step toward addressing long standing gaps that have impacted our communities. I strongly encourage the New York State Assembly to follow suit and pass this legislation, reaffirming New York’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and the protection of all its residents,” said Ali Rashid, President, American Pakistani Advocacy Group.
“Every day, we see how language barriers can make the difference between accessing life-saving services and being left behind. APNA is a proud member of NYIC and part of the advocacy efforts to increase language access. At APNA Community Services, we stand on the frontlines, ensuring that non-English and limited English proficient families are not only heard, but truly understood. Through our culturally and linguistically competent programs and services, including multilingual outreach, food distribution, case management, senior services, domestic violence support services, immigration support, health access, social services, free tax preparation and many others, we bridge critical gaps for marginalized communities across the state. Our work goes beyond translation and interpretation—it is about dignity, equity, and trust. The passage of the Language Access Expansion Act is the right thing to do at this time when our communities are facing many challenges and are in need to receive support in their own languages. When we invest in community-based organizations like NYIC, APNA and many others, we strengthen entire communities and builds a more inclusive and responsive system for all,” said Erum Hanif, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, APNA Community Services.
“As the diversity of New York’s immigrant population continues to grow, state and county agencies must be prepared to serve their communities in the languages they understand to ensure that nobody in need of essential services gets left behind. We applaud the Senate’s passage of the Language Access Expansion Act and look forward to seeing its passage in the NY State Assembly,” said Cheryl Keshner, Coordinator, Long Island Language Advocates Coalition. Press Release