A new pro bono program has been launched as part of the Liberty Defense Project that engages volunteer attorneys to expand resources and services available for immigrants in New York.

The Liberty Defense Project and the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York have partnered to expand the current initiative and grow a network of attorneys and law students that will provide legal aid to immigrants across the state. The program will also include training for volunteer attorneys and advocates to prepare them for immigration casework.

“While the federal government continues to strip basic human rights from immigrants in this country, New York is fighting to ensure families have access to legal help and resources they deserve,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “The Liberty Defense Project is the first of its kind to combine the legal expertise of both the public and private sector, and with this expanded program, we are helping even more vulnerable New Yorkers. I thank the Catholic Charities and community partners across the state for coming together to pool resources, bring more volunteers to the table, and continue our efforts to deliver justice and a quality life for all.”

The Liberty Defense Project, created by Cuomo in response to federal policies, is the nation’s first state-led project to assist immigrants — regardless of status — in obtaining access to legal services. This latest program will expand upon the services and resources already available through the initiative.

The project provides legal services on deportation defense, direct representation, consultations, application assistance and more, as well as information, community outreach and know-your-rights seminars. The public-private partnership is administered by Cuomo’s Office for New Americans and run in partnership with law firms, legal associations, advocacy organizations, colleges, universities and bar associations across the state, including Catholic Charities. The Liberty Defense Project has already provided more than 6,000 free and confidential services to individuals needing legal assistance through its network of 47 community-based groups.

The pro bono project, which is being developed and operated by Catholic Charities, is designed to give attorneys tools to assist the most vulnerable immigrants in New York and to match them with cases. Volunteer attorneys are supported by expert legal training, continuous technical assistance, and in-depth substantive mentorship, which is provided through Catholic Charities and its staff of expert attorneys

The Department of State’s Office of New Americans has helped more than 200,000 New Americans navigate the naturalization process since its inception. The Office of New Americans has also helped New Americans start and grow their own businesses, learn English and become part of New York’s diverse cultural fabric. Of these:

¯ 19,543 were Naturalization and DACA applications and referrals;

¯ 31,780 participated in ESOL classes throughout the state;

¯ 4,161 partook in entrepreneurship classes across New York;

¯ 500 graduated with at least 20 hours of English language coursework via Cell-Ed, a phone-based English learning system for individuals who have difficulty reaching an actual classroom; and

¯ 1,540 are actively engaged in Cell-Ed throughout the state.

According to the American Immigration Council:

¯ One in five New Yorkers is an immigrant – 4.5 million, or 22.9 percent of the state’s population in 2015. One in six is a native-born U.S. citizen with at least one immigrant parent.

¯ Immigrants make up more than 25 percent of New York’s labor force and contribute billions of dollars in federal and state taxes.

¯ New York’s immigrant-led households added to the state’s economy by spending more than $103 billion in after-tax income in just 2014.

¯ There are 347,573 immigrant business owners, accounting for 33.8 percent of all self-employed New York residents in 2015, generating $7.2 billion in business income.

¯ Nearly 44,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients live in New York according to USCIS.