Overview:

As Documented reports, immigrants who can’t vote in NYC still play a powerful civic role. From joining PTAs to testifying at hearings, here’s how to help shape your community and citywide decisions.

By Paz Radovic

This article was originally published by Documented, an independent, non-profit newsroom dedicated to reporting with and for immigrant communities in New York City. The original article can be accessed here.

Immigrants who are unable to vote in the U.S. still play a crucial role in shaping New York City’s future. From organizing around workers’ rights to helping neighbors access city services, there are many ways they can join civic life and make communities stronger. If you are wondering how to stay civically engaged in NYC without voting, here are some ways you can contribute. 

First, understand how NYC’s government works

Before getting involved, it helps to know how politics are organized. At the top, the federal government, with the President, Congress, and federal agencies, set national laws and policies that can affect everyone, including immigrants.

Below that, New York State has its own Governor, state senators, and assembly members who make statewide laws. 

In New York City, the local government is led by the Mayor, who manages city agencies, and City Council members, each representing a district who approve how local money is spent. 

Other citywide officials include the Comptroller, who monitors the city’s finances, and the Public Advocate, who listens to residents’ complaints and proposes solutions. 

Finally, at the neighborhood level, community boards and local organizations give residents a direct way to raise issues and shape decisions that affect daily life.

Many city agencies and organizations invite residents — regardless of immigration status — to join advisory groups or community boards. You can check your local Community Board here. 

These spaces influence decisions on housing, transportation, safety, and education. New York residents can attend public meetings, submit comments and even apply to take a more active role as a community board member. 

Members have a direct voice in decisions about neighborhood concerns like parks, housing, transportation, and city services.

Any New York City resident who lives, works, owns a business, or has another significant interest in the district can apply to be appointed to a community board. Citizenship is not required.

Engage in local schools and PTAs

Every New York City public school has parent-teacher associations (PTAs), spaces where parents and caregivers can help make decisions, share ideas, and support students. Joining them doesn’t require a Social Security number, ID, or proof of citizenship. 

Your voice helps shape the quality of education and resources your child receives. Also, PTAs and councils are safe places to connect with other parents, learn about rights, as well as strengthening confidence and community ties.

Read our guide on how to join a Parent-Teacher Association in NYC.

Participate in public hearings and town halls

City Council committees and city agencies regularly host public hearings to gather community input before making rules, passing laws, or approving projects. Anyone can speak by testifying in person or via Zoom or by sending written comments. 

If you need non-English language interpretation, email translationservice@council.nyc.gov, at least three business days before the public hearing.

Here’s are some ways to get involved:

By participating in these instances you can speak about issues like tenant protections, wage theft, healthcare access, or transportation. You don’t need to show ID to attend or comment.

Advocate for a specific policy or idea

New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, can participate in two key city-run initiatives to directly influence how public funds are spent.

Participatory Budgeting, overseen by the City Council, allows residents in specific districts to propose capital projects for improving infrastructure such as schools, libraries, and parks. Learn more at council.nyc.gov/pb.

The People’s Money is where New York City residents can share proposals for social services, events, or awareness campaigns. All residents, regardless of citizenship status, can weigh in and vote about how the city will spend about $4 million. Visit participate.nyc.gov to learn more.

Advocate through immigrant and workers’ rights groups

Joining with others to demand fair treatment, better laws, and equal access to opportunities is a potent way to participate in the city’s civic life. Immigrant and workers’ rights organizations meet with elected officials, organize protests and press conferences, and work with community members to tell their stories to effect change.

Here’s are some ways to get involved: 

• Find a trusted organization working on issues you care about, such as workers’ rights, housing, healthcare, or education. 
• Attend community meetings or trainings. Many are multilingual, free, and open to all residents — no ID or citizenship status required.
• Help spread information. You can distribute flyers, share social media posts, or volunteer at rallies.
• Promote community-based and issue-based petitions, which are open to all residents regardless of their immigration status.
• Build leadership skills. Groups may offer community organizer or peer leader training, where you learn how to advocate for yourself and others effectively.

Also Read: Organizations Serving Immigrants in New York

Volunteer on a political campaign

Regardless of immigration status, anyone can volunteer for a political campaign. If you have work authorization, you can work for a campaign. While noncitizens are barred from donating to a campaign or gathering signatures for a political candidate, they can still participate by canvassing, phone banking or organizing candidate forums.

Sign up for Early Arrival, Documented’s newsletter, here, and get your immigration and policy news from New York, Washington, and nationwide in your inbox 3x per week.

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