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NY expands legal aid program for immigrants

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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  New York state is expanding a legal defense project for immigrants launched in 2017 to include social and health care services for families.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the new "Project Golden Door" will provide family support services at 12 existing sites.

In addition, a new Regional Rapid Response team will set up attorneys in the state's 10 regional economic development council areas to respond to raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Democrat Cuomo says the immigrant legal defense project is the first of its kind in the nation.

The governor's office says New York is home to 940,000 immigrants in the country without legal authorization, and 53,000 of them are under 16.

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