MSNBC: What immigrants should know if they are detained

In the News

Immigration Raids & Detention

January 28, 2025

"Regardless of your immigration status you have rights."

Ellen Pachnanda, Director of the Immigration Practice at Brooklyn Defender Services, appeared on "Ana Cabrera Reports" on MSNBC to discuss the critical steps immigrants should take if confronted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She highlighted practical ways individuals can prepare to defend their rights and protect their families.

Watch her appearance here.

For more information on how to prepare for and safely assert your rights during encounters with ICE, visit www.wehaverights.us. Our resource includes five essential videos in seven languages, designed to empower immigrants and their loved ones.

Latest News

NY1: "Immigration lawyer highlights rights among deportation fears"
Ellen Pachnanda, director of Brooklyn Defender Services' Immigration Practice, joined “The Rush Hour” on NY1 on Thursday, to talk about the rights of immigrants if they are confronted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and how people can be prepared. Resources are available at www.wehaverights.us.
In The News
Immigration Raids & Detention
January 23, 2025
Testimony: Protection for Immigrant Communities.
Ellen Pachnanda, Director of the Immigration Practice, presented before The New York City Council Committee on Immigration Oversight regarding Protection for Immigrant Communities.
Letters & Testimonies
Immigration Raids & Detention
January 23, 2025
Brooklyn Defenders’ Statement on Proposed Changes to Discovery Law in Governor Hochul’s State of the State
Brooklyn Defenders issued the following statement in response to proposed changes to New York’s discovery statute released today in Governor Hochul’s State of the State.
Press Releases
Discovery - Access to Evidence
January 14, 2025
Exonerees, Impacted New Yorkers, Public Defenders, and Advocates Launch the “Alliance to Protect Kalief’s Law” to Defend New York’s Common-Sense and Successful Discovery Statute and to Correct Misleading Data from Electeds and Law Enforcement
Brooklyn Defenders joins exonerees, impacted New Yorkers, public defenders, advocates, and concerned citizens in launching the “Alliance to Protect Kalief’s Law”, a statewide coalition dedicated to preserving New York’s common-sense and successful discovery statute, also known as “Kalief’s Law.” Today’s announcement comes in response to comments made by elected officials and district attorneys on efforts this session to roll back the current statute.
Press Releases
Discovery - Access to Evidence
January 13, 2025
Brooklyn Defenders’ Statement on Proposed Legislation to Improve Efficiency in New York’s Discovery System
Brooklyn Defenders issued a statement in response to the introduction of bill that would provide district attorney’s offices access to the electronic record systems of police departments to improve efficiency of the discovery process.
Press Releases
Discovery - Access to Evidence
January 6, 2025
Testimony: NYPD’s Use of Stop-and-Frisk & The "Gang Database"
Jacqueline Gosdigian, Supervising Policy Counsel testified before The New York City Council Committee on Public Safety Oversight Hearing on the NYPD’s Use of Stop-and-Frisk and Other Investigative Encounters.
Letters & Testimonies
"Gangs" & the Criminalization of Association
December 21, 2024
BDS Pro Bono Unit 2024 Recap
Brooklyn Defender Services Pro Bono unit is celebrating a wonderful year of successful and impactful pro bono partnerships. In 2024, we partnered with 22 firms and were able to leverage resources and expertise back to our clients to secure the best possible case outcomes. We are extraordinarily grateful to all our partners and are excited to share some highlights from Fall and Winter!
Pro Bono
Early Defense for Parents Facing ACS Investigations
December 20, 2024
A Demand for Overhaul of ACS and Real Support for Families
Nila Natarajan Associate Director, Policy & Family Defense, in the Family Defense Practice testified before the NYC Council Committee on Children & Youth, calling for reforms to the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) to reduce harm caused by family policing practices. The testimony highlighted how poverty, not neglect, drives most ACS investigations and urged the City to invest in community-based resources that support families without surveillance or coercion.
Letters & Testimonies
Early Defense for Parents Facing ACS Investigations
December 16, 2024
New York City Public Defenders File Amicus Brief in Support of the New York City Council and Public Advocate's Lawsuit to Invalidate Mayor's Suspension of Ban on Solitary Confinement
The Bronx Defenders, Brooklyn Defender Services, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, New York County Defender Services, and Queens Defenders, represented by pro bono counsel Selendy Gay PLLC, filed an amicus brief in support of the New York City Council and Public Advocate's lawsuit to invalidate Mayor Eric Adams’ emergency executive orders that suspended parts of Local Law 42 of 2024, which bans solitary confinement in city jails.
Press Releases
Solitary Confinement
December 13, 2024
Legal Aid, Brooklyn Defenders, Milbank LLP Ask Court to Hold Department of Correction in Contempt for Failing to Provide Incarcerated New Yorkers with Access to Medical Care
The Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Defender Services, and Milbank LLP filed a reply brief in its class action lawsuit against the New York City Department of Correction (DOC) concerning DOC’s failure to provide incarcerated New Yorkers access to medical care. The filing responds to DOC’s opposition brief and urges the court to find DOC in contempt, citing overwhelming evidence that DOC has failed to bring people to hundreds of thousands of medical appointments and regularly blocks incarcerated New Yorkers’ access to sick call.
Press Releases
Bail & Pre-Trial Incarceration
December 11, 2024

MSNBC: What immigrants should know if they are detained

Latest News

NY1: "Immigration lawyer highlights rights among deportation fears"

Testimony: Protection for Immigrant Communities.

Brooklyn Defenders’ Statement on Proposed Changes to Discovery Law in Governor Hochul’s State of the State

Exonerees, Impacted New Yorkers, Public Defenders, and Advocates Launch the “Alliance to Protect Kalief’s Law” to Defend New York’s Common-Sense and Successful Discovery Statute and to Correct Misleading Data from Electeds and Law Enforcement

Brooklyn Defenders’ Statement on Proposed Legislation to Improve Efficiency in New York’s Discovery System

Testimony: NYPD’s Use of Stop-and-Frisk & The "Gang Database"

BDS Pro Bono Unit 2024 Recap

A Demand for Overhaul of ACS and Real Support for Families

New York City Public Defenders File Amicus Brief in Support of the New York City Council and Public Advocate's Lawsuit to Invalidate Mayor's Suspension of Ban on Solitary Confinement

Legal Aid, Brooklyn Defenders, Milbank LLP Ask Court to Hold Department of Correction in Contempt for Failing to Provide Incarcerated New Yorkers with Access to Medical Care