Leap for Language Justice, Budgets, and Staff Welcomes
It’s officially spring – which means budgets, advocacy, and meetups with community.
We want to share a big leap for language justice. This March, we joined the Asian American Federation (AAF) and other community organizations to launch the United in Speech Co-op NY! This is the first worker cooperative of pan-Asian language interpreters in the country – a lifeline for Nepali-speaking immigrants demanding better care in the hospital, courts, and beyond.
Take the story of Mohan, a 55-year-old Nepali immigrant, who anticipated a resolution to his immigration status -- and instead was deported to Nepal. Mohan’s case reiterates why timely and culturally competent services -- in the language that a client speaks -- is so critical. Read the full story in a new report put out by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF).
Also, this season, we revived Chiya Charcha, a community space for discussion on current topics. We were joined by special guests from the New York Immigration Coalition, Queens Watch Group and NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), covering key topics from immigration, safety planning, workers’ rights protections and employment agency regulations. And, Adhikaar joined the inaugural South Asian Coalition Summit and shared challenges and possibilities around building strong, resilient organizations, at a time of political upheaval and funding cuts.
Why I Joined Adhikaar’s Citizenship Classes?
“My name is Urgen Lama and I live in Jackson Heights. At 66 years old, I felt overwhelmed by the citizenship process. My sons encouraged me to attend Adhikaar’s citizenship classes. With Adhikaar’s support, I prepared for my interview. I passed. The officer asked me several questions, including questions about my taxes. I wrote a sentence about Congress as part of the test. I am grateful to Adhikaar for helping me achieve this milestone.”
Adhikaar’s citizenship classes equip community members with the knowledge to navigate the naturalization process, build awareness of rights and responsibilities, and ensure members are prepared to participate in civic life, including voting. To learn more about classes, email us. You can also check out this informational video to understand what’s at stake for Adhikaar members in the primary elections later this month.
Behind the Scenes Budget Advocacy
Behind the scenes, there is a lot of work to ensure that immigrant workers and communities get the protections and services that they deserve. This March, Adhikaar staff and members delivered testimonies in City Hall, demanding sanctuary protections, increased funding for legal clinics and Know Your Rights training, plus added support for healthcare services.
In New York State, the AAPI Equity Budget Coalition, co-led by the Asian American Federation and Coalition for Asian Children and Families, included a proposed allocation of $30 million, thanks to the over 150 community organizations, including Adhikaar.
Also, this legislative season, a bill titled the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act was introduced by Sen. Patty Murray (WA) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14). If passed, domestic workers would be guaranteed a federal minimum wage and overtime protections.
Negotiations will continue until final budget decisions come out this summer. Stay tuned for updates.
Staff Welcomes and Celebrations
We welcome Yangchen Chadotsang who joins the team as Deputy Director. Yangchen brings over a decade of experience leading community engagement, advocacy, and direct services, most recently at Neighborhood Restore NY. She also brings lived experience as an immigrant who has navigated the challenges of building stability in a new country, amid the structural barriers faced by immigrant workers, particularly women.
Congrats to Pabitra Dash, Adhikaar’s Senior Organizer for Nail Salon Workers, for her leadership in the district and recognition by State Senator Jessica Ramos. Pabitra’s journey with Adhikaar began in 2016 when she participated in Adhikaar’s first New York State Nail Salon Licensing Course. Over the past decade, she has played a key role in advancing the statewide rights for nail salon workers.
Adhikaar also received special recognition by Council Member Julie Won, alongside other powerful Queens organizations, making change in the borough and beyond.
In case you missed it, you can listen to State Legislator Sarahana Shrestha's Keynote Speechand catch other highlights from Adhikaar’s Nari Diwas, International Women’s Day.
Click here to sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.