A few minutes on the phone counts. Here is who to call, what to say, and where the state bill stands.
The bill
Dignity Not Detention Act
This bill would bar New York State and local governments from entering or renewing agreements to hold people in immigration detention, or from taking payments for it. Existing contracts would have to end within 90 days of the law taking effect.
Where it stands (checked October 22, 2026)
Senate S316, sponsored by Sen. Julia Salazar: in the Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee (referred January 7, 2026).
Assembly A4181, sponsored by Assembly Member Reyes: reported out of the Correction committee and sent to Ways and Means on February 25, 2026.
Neither chamber has passed it yet. Status changes, so check the links for the latest.
MDC Brooklyn is a federal facility. This bill covers state and local government agreements, so on its own it does not change what happens inside MDC. It is a way for New York to say it will not take part in immigration detention. Please do not describe it as the fix for MDC.
Who to call
Start with your own representatives
Offices pay the most attention to people who live in their district. Look up your state senator and Assembly member, and call their district office.
For the U.S. Congress, call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your representative's office.
What to say
Two short scripts
Read them as written or put them in your own words. One or two minutes is enough.
Script 1: the state bill
Hello, my name is ___ and I live in ___ (ZIP ___). I am calling about the Dignity Not Detention Act: S316 in the Senate and A4181 in the Assembly. I am asking [my senator / Assembly member ___] to support it and to ask leadership to bring it to a vote. People are held in immigration detention in our state, including at MDC Brooklyn, and I want New York to stop taking part in it. May I get a reply about their position? Thank you.
Script 2: Congress visiting MDC
Hello, my name is ___ and I live in ___ (ZIP ___). I am asking [my representative ___] to visit MDC Brooklyn, inspect conditions for people held for ICE, and report publicly what they see. Rep. Dan Goldman's office says a 2024 appropriations law (Section 527) lets Members of Congress inspect facilities the Department of Homeland Security uses to hold immigrants without advance notice, and that the Bureau of Prisons denied him entry to MDC in August 2025. May I get a reply? Thank you.
After you call
Three things to make it count
Write down the date, who you called, and what they said.
If you hear nothing in a week, call again and mention your earlier call.