CAIR-NY Applauds State Complaint Against Anti-Immigrant Landlord

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(NEW YORK, NY, 11/6/2017) -- The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today applauded a New York State Division of Human Rights’ complaint against a Queens landlord for allegedly harassing and discriminating against immigrant tenants.

The landlord had placed a letter on the building’s front door demanding that all tenants provide their Social Security card, photo identification, proof of employment, and Green Card or passport in order to avoid eviction. Many of the tenants are immigrants from Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, making this an obvious and direct threat against them.

SEE: Governor Cuomo Announces Complaint Filed Against Queens Landlord for Targeting Immigrants

It’s illegal under New York law to force a tenant to show immigration status as a condition for lease renewal, and the state is now seeking an order to make the landlord cease and desist these discriminatory practices, as well as pay fines and penalties.

“We applaud the state division and Governor Cuomo for taking a stand against this despicable discrimination,” said CAIR-NY Legal Director Albert Fox Cahn. “At a time when far too many New Yorkers suffer in silence, we urge city and state officials to expand their efforts against discrimination."

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

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