Gisela Marroquin of Mixteca testifies on data sharing and accountability
Gisela Marroquin of Mixteca says the organization has served Latinx and Indigenous communities in Sunset Park for 26 years. She calls for public multilingual data-sharing policies, accountability for DOC's past daily ICE reporting, and firm deadlines for implementing protections.
Good morning.
My name is Gisela Marroquin.
I'm the Managing Director of Mixteca, a community-based organization based out of Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
I appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony this morning as this committee analyzes the Executive Order 13 report of audit findings, its information and learnings, and gets ready to make further recommendations.
Mixteca has provided services to the Latinx and Indigenous communities in Sunset Park for 26 years.
Our service delivery model centers mental health and well-being and is delivered through trauma-informed practices.
Our reach now expands beyond Brooklyn and community members across all five boroughs come to Mixteca, particularly seeking information and legal support around immigration policies and understanding their rights as immigrants, parents, and caretakers.
With so much information out there, our community members trust us to identify accurate and up-to-date information that protects them and their families.
We're happy to hear that changes have been made across several agencies, and we appreciate the continued efforts to ensure the safety of our immigrant neighbors.
The audit identified gaps, and the following are specified and measurable oversight mechanisms we hope the council could require to close the gaps and demonstrate accountability.
Every city agency should have clear, public, and easily accessible data sharing policies.
Given the Department of Corrections'history of daily jail reporting sharing with ICE, there must be a strong accountability for noncompliance.
Once finalized, these protocols
should be published in multiple languages so that all New Yorkers can understand them.
Policies regarding ICE access to city facilities must be shared with community-based organizations.
Many community members come to Mixteca before seeking medical care or other basic services because they aren't sure whether an interaction with the city agency or a shelter could expose them or their family member to immigration enforcement.
Unauthorized ICE access to hospitals, public buildings, parking lots, or schools violates community trust and can keep families from obtaining essential care and services.
The Council should establish a firm deadline for agencies to finalize and implement these policies and the mechanisms to track their implementation.
If I could just go, lastly, while we commend Mayor Mamdani's proactive signing of Executive Order 13, we urge the City Council to consider ensuring these protections
and their implementation are not only dependent on a single administration or one mayor's commitment, and the Council should examine which of these protections should be made into permanent law with clear enforcement, reporting, and oversight mechanisms that are transparent and accessible.
Thank you.