Rhode Island Immigrant Coalition advocates for key housing and misdemeanor legislation

The Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and Bias convened on March 20, 2025, to discuss two pivotal pieces of legislation aimed at protecting immigrant rights. The Immigrant Coalition, representing 38 organizations, urged the commission to support House Bill 5502, which seeks to amend the maximum prison sentence for misdemeanor offenses from 365 days to 364 days. This seemingly minor adjustment could have significant implications for immigrants, as current laws can lead to deportation for minor offenses that carry a potential sentence of one year or more, regardless of actual jail time served.

Advocates argue that this change would prevent first-time offenders from facing harsh immigration consequences for misdemeanors, highlighting the unfairness of treating immigrants more severely than citizens for similar offenses. "Is it fair for an asylum seeker or a victim of domestic violence to be barred from immigration relief due to a misdemeanor? Of course not," stated a representative from the coalition, emphasizing the need for reform.

In addition to this bill, the coalition also called for support of House Bill 5674, which would prohibit landlords from inquiring about a tenant's immigration status. This legislation aims to protect immigrant families from discrimination and exploitation by landlords who may use threats of deportation to intimidate tenants. The commission expressed support for the intent of this bill but raised concerns about its placement within the Landlord Tenant Act, suggesting it may be more effective under the jurisdiction of the Commission for Human Rights.

Commission members discussed the need for clear communication with bill sponsors to ensure the legislation achieves its intended goals. They acknowledged that while discrimination and retaliation by landlords are already illegal, the proposed changes could enhance protections for vulnerable tenants.

As these discussions unfold, the commission's support for these bills could lead to significant changes in how Rhode Island addresses immigrant rights and protections, potentially setting a precedent for other states to follow. The urgency of these reforms reflects a growing recognition of the challenges faced by immigrant communities in the state.