ALBANY, NY – FWD.us New York Immigration State Director Eddie A. Taveras issued the following statement today following passage of The New York Health and Essential Rights Act (S.1034), or NY HERO Act, in New York State Senate:

“The State Senate took the right and moral step today in passing the NY HERO Act to protect New York workers, including more than 2 million undocumented essential workers across our state. This bill will ensure that farm workers, domestics workers, restaurant workers, among others have lifesaving protections regardless of their immigration status to fight this pandemic. When workers are equipped with the tools necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, the broader community and the state’s economy will benefit. In passing this bill, New York is ensuring that we are doing everything we can to save lives and avoid shutdowns, a non-viable solution when families and small businesses have rent due on the first of the month.

“As the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage our state, the NY HERO Act will establish uniform health and safety standards to protect all essential workers from COVID-19 and future airborne diseases to keep workers safe while minimizing outbreaks. I am grateful to Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris and Assembly Member Karines Reyes for their leadership on this issue, and urge the State Assembly to urgently pass this important piece of legislation. Not another life should be lost because we waited too long to act.”