Advocates are calling on state lawmakers to pass a law to protect immigrant communities. “People are afraid to leave their homes, people are afraid to go grocery shopping, people are afraid to go to work," says David Imamura, a Westchester County legislator.

It’s called the New York For All Act. According to the New York Immigration Coalition, it would prohibit state and local resources from being diverted for immigration deportations. “It would provide very concrete and necessary protections for our immigrant communities," says Lisa Genn, co-chair of Immigration Committee NYCD16|15 Indivisible.

Nearly 20 organizations and groups rallied in Yonkers to get their message across. “In this moment it felt really important to gather and to demand that New York state do absolutely everything that it can do to protect our immigrant communities," says Genn.

Advocates also condemned federal immigration policies and stood with immigrant communities. “We are a nation of immigrants. We are a nation that has been accepting of all people regardless of race, regardless of creed," says Imamura.

"Our immigrant community makes our community richer," says Judy McQuistion, board member of the Yonkers Sanctuary Movement.

Advocates at the rally want state lawmakers to pass the New York For All Act this legislative session.

"We felt an enormous sense of urgency. There’s a crisis confronting our immigrant communities," says Genn.