NYC Starts Interpreter Bank to Help Immigrants With Legal System

The New York City Council and New York Immigration Coalition have launched a Community Interpreter Bank to expand language access services to immigrants and asylum seekers and increase the number of available interpreters, as the Trump administration carries out mass deportations in cities across the country.

The council is allocating $1.4 million that was included in the fiscal year 2025 budget for the interpreter bank and more than $2 million in emergency funding to over 60 organizations to ensure more legal support, helplines, and training—including know-your-rights training—for immigrant New Yorkers, council leaders and language access advocates announced at a Wednesday ...