N.Y. lawmakers seek protection for undocumented 9/11 workers
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Carlos Cardona, center at podium, an undocumented worker who assisted at Ground Zero after 9/11, stood at a news conference with Jerry Nadler, representing parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, left, Queens Congressman Joseph Crowley, second from left, Nydia Velazquez, 7th District of New York, second from right and Adriano Espaillat, right, representing upper Manhattan.
NEW YORK >> Four members of Congress from New York are proposing legislation to protect undocumented 9/11 rescue, recovery and clean-up workers from deportation.
Queens Congressman Joseph Crowley and three other New York Democrats held a press conference today at City Hall to discuss the proposal.
The lawmakers say their legislation would allow undocumented workers who assisted at Ground Zero to pursue citizenship.
The legislation would provide workers with legal permanent resident status. Crowley says it has previously been done for some who served in the armed forces or as overseas translators.
The legislation comes after a onetime Sept. 11 World Trade Center cleanup volunteer was freed from immigration detention last month. Carlos Cardona received a pardon from Gov. Andrew Cuomo from a 1990 drug conviction.
Cardona also attended the press conference.
