State AG: Hell To Pay For NY Landlords Who Use Immigration-Related Threats To Harass Tenants Out Of Their Apartments

From the Office of the New York Attorney General:

• Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today [April 12] released a new "Know Your Rights" guidance [go here for the Spanish version], providing immigrant tenants in New York State with legal guidance in the event that they face landlord harassment on the basis of immigration status.
  
  With fear on the rise in immigrant communities, the Attorney General’s office has received a number of reports of tenant harassment; in particular, tenants and advocates have reported an increase of cases in which renters have been specifically targeted based on immigration status, including landlords threatening to call federal immigration officials and have the tenants deported in an attempt to illegally displace the tenants.
  
  “Every New York tenant has a basic legal right to live in peace in their home. Harassment of tenants based on immigration status is not only appalling – it’s unlawful,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “This guidance will help ensure that all tenants know their rights – and should serve as a reminder: my office will pursue to the fullest extent of the law any landlord who illegally harasses tenants.”

For more, see With Fear On The Rise In New York’s Immigrant Communities, A.G. Schneiderman Releases Tenants’ Rights Guidance For Immigrants Facing Landlord Harassment (A.G. Warns: My Office Will Pursue Any Landlord Who Harasses Tenants On The Basis Of Immigration Status).