Vladimir Klali of NYIC testifies on enforcement and immigration fears

All right.

Thank you so much, Chair.

My name is Vladimir Klali.

I'm the Senior Policy Strategist at the New York Immigration Coalition.

I want to be direct about why we are here.

Nearly every bill on today's agenda answers the same question the same way.

Who enforces the rules on our streets and the answer?

answer over and over again is the New York Police Department.

We are here to tell you all that this answer doesn't bring us closer to street or community safety.

And in 2026, it is in fact dangerous for our communities.

The New York City Department of Transportation should be the agency responsible for regulating, educating, and enforcing mobility rules in this city, not the police.

Every NYPD stop is at risk for our neighbors cannot afford right now.

The council knows firsthand what is happening in each of our neighborhoods.

Federal immigration agents are operating in our homes and our streets, outside our courthouse, and across our entire city.

For delivery workers, tickets, it's not just a ticket.

It may be a summons.

It may be a warrant.

It may be falling into the deportation pipeline.

We've already seen what NYPD do when they can enforce e-bikes, and it's not great.

Give NYPD an opportunity, and they will do the harshest enforcement.

For that, we oppose Intro 9.

986, T2361, T2587, T2590, Intro 78, Intro 110, Resolution 43.

We recommend amending Intro 787 to clarify that reporting should not include communications with federal immigration enforcement without any warrant.

And we support Intro 985 with amendments that guarantee that the funding will be available for all workers that need it.

And we ask the City Council to strike NYPD as the enforcing agency.

I trust this package of bills and the confiscation and impoundment as penalties.

Build a data privacy firewalls for workers and New Yorkers.

Be safe and fully fund the trading program.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Next.