News & Events

September

2017

18

#HereToStay – NYC Group Provides Rapid-Response DACA Renewal Grants

DREAMers
View testimonials from DREAMer loan borrowers.
 

For immediate release:
September 18, 2017

For more information:
Deyanira Del Rio or Sarah Ludwig – 212-680-5100

GROUP PROVIDES RAPID-RESPONSE GRANTS
TO HELP NEW YORKERS RENEW DACA

Expands Fund Created in 2012 for DACA Applicants

New Economy Project announced today that it has expanded its NYC DREAMer Loan Fund to provide rapid-response grants to New Yorkers applying for renewal of their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Effective immediately, New Economy Project is making grants to DACA renewal applicants in New York City for whom the $495 application fee presents a financial hardship. In its announcement ending the DACA program, the Trump administration said it will allow some recipients to renew their DACA status one last time — but their applications must be received by October 5, 2017. 

“Part of the cruel nature of the administration’s DACA revocation is the extremely onerous timeframe it set for people to renew their DACA,” said New Economy Project co-director Deyanira Del Rio, who played a key role in designing the organization’s NYC DREAMer Loan Fund, in 2012. “At this point, people have less than two weeks to apply for renewal, and we want to help make sure no New Yorker misses the deadline because of financial hardship.”

New Economy Project has launched an online form to facilitate processing of grant requests, for DACA renewal applicants and advocates assisting them. The organization will also offer the program at DACA clinics and other events to support DACA recipients at this crucial time.

In 2012, New Economy Project launched its 0% interest DREAMer Loan Fund, with support from a foundation that wishes to remain anonymous. The organization has converted a portion of the fund to make rapid-response grants through October 5, 2017. Additional support for DACA grants comes from individual donors who have made charitable contributions in recent weeks to cover New Yorkers’ DACA renewal fees.

New Economy Project coordinates its DREAMer Fund with a network of nonprofit community and legal services groups, which provide DACA screening and assistance and help them apply for DACA grants or 0% interest loans. The organization also partners with two community-based, not-for-profit lenders, Brooklyn Cooperative and Lower East Side People’s Federal Credit Unions, which issue the 0% loans. Through the program, New Economy Project and its partners have helped several hundred young New Yorkers secure and renew DACA.

Immediately following the Trump administration’s announcement, New Economy Project issued a strong statement condemning the action and expressing its support for the rights of DREAMers – and all immigrants – to live with dignity and justice.

“There’s so much at stake for people. It’s got to be all hands on deck,” said New Economy Project’s founder and co-director Sarah Ludwig.

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