New York state and city governments have allocated $600 million in public funds to a network of nonprofit groups that actively resist federal immigration laws and support undocumented immigrants.
Since at least 2009, New York City and the state have directed substantial resources to these organizations. The Bronx Defenders received over $500 million from the city and an additional $32 million from the state. Make the Road NY secured $56 million to offer legal and healthcare services to undocumented immigrants. New York Lawyers for the Public Interest obtained $19 million, while New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) received $46 million.
These nonprofits have openly challenged federal immigration authorities, including ICE, and President Trump’s enforcement policies. Murad Awadeh of NYIC criticized New York City for implementing federal deportation plans, calling sanctuary protections essential. Meanwhile, The Bronx Defenders have launched lobbying campaigns urging lawmakers to pass sanctuary legislation like the “New York For All Act” and “Dignity Not Detention Act.”
Critics argue that New York is misappropriating taxpayer dollars to fund organizations that resist federal law and enable illegal border crossings. They contend local policies cannot supersede federal jurisdiction. Proponents defend these expenditures, citing the value in securing public safety by offering legal aid and encouraging community cooperation with local authorities.
New York’s funding spree mirrors a broader pattern in Democratic-leaning states. The flow of public money to sanctuary-aligned legal networks is part of a growing resistance to immigration enforcement. These trends were among the motivations cited by the Trump administration when it moved to curtail foreign aid programs like USAID, claiming taxpayer dollars were misdirected to anti-enforcement activism.
