Help from a Manhattan Immigration Lawyer
A ruling by a New York administrative judge reinforces the status of the city and state of New York as sanctuaries for immigrants both documented and undocumented. The court ordered a landlord to pay $17,000 in fines and damages to a tenant because of violations of the housing discrimination agreement. Specifically, the court found that landlord Dianna Lysius illegally discriminated against tenant Holly Ondaan by sending text messages that called Ondaan an illegal immigrant and that threatened to turn Ondaan in to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) because of missed rent payments.
The Facts of the Case
Lysius allegedly sent Ondaan texts that stated that Lysius had reported Ondaan to ICE and that Lysius planned to let ICE officials into Ondaan’s apartment to arrest her. Ondaan reported these threats to the police and eventually attracted the attention of the New York City Commission on Human Rights, who filed a complaint on Ondaan’s behalf. The complaint was based on the City Human Rights Law applicable to residents of New York, which prohibits discrimination in housing accommodations based on alienage or citizenship status. The court awarded $12,000 to Ondaan directly for emotional distress caused by the actions of her landlord and ordered a fine of $5,000 be assessed as a civil penalty.
Working With a Manhattan Immigration Lawyer
Ondaan obtained a green card in July, well after the harassment by her landlord began, and is now legally allowed to remain in the U.S. By working with a Manhattan immigration lawyer, Ondaan was able to reduce the stress and worry caused by her landlord’s illegal actions. For many families in our area, enlisting the help of a qualified New York immigration attorney is a solid step toward resolving issues and preventing threats from affecting their health and emotional stability.
If you need the services of a qualified and experienced New York immigration attorney to resolve problems with discrimination or to remedy your immigration status, the experts at Oltarsh & Associates can provide you with the right representation for your case. We work with individuals and families throughout the New York area to even the playing field and to provide expert help with a wide range of immigration issues. Call us today at 212-944-9420 to schedule a free case evaluation. At Oltarsh & Associates, we are here to serve you.
