NY Lawmakers Celebrate Historic MENA Data Recognition Bill Signed By Hochul

 Today Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas celebrated the signing of her legislation, A6219B, which would disaggregate data for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) New Yorkers from the white category.

This will happen across state institutions into law by Governor Hochul. The U.S. Census indicates that at least 280,000 MENA live in New York, but studies indicate that the actual number is likely over 500,000. 

A coalition led by Malikah, including the Arab American Family Support Center, YAMA Action, Asiyah Women’s Network, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF), the New York Immigration Coalition, and others supported the passage of the legislation earlier this year.

“For too long Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities have been made invisible by our federal and state governments’ lack of data collection or lack of disaggregation. By not including categories for these various communities in the Census and not disaggregating the data in our state institutions, the needs of neighbors have been unaccounted for and ignored. I am so proud to have worked with Malikah, the coalition of organizations, and my Senate partner, Senator Gianaris to have gotten this bill signed into law. It is past time that these communities are accounted for and better understood and represented. This will allow us to better serve them as government and to offer them the resources they need and deserve,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, prime sponsor of the Assembly bill.

Middle Eastern and North African communities throughout New York State are inappropriately identified as white in many government documents, which disadvantages representation for these communities. The MENA Bill (S6584C/A6219B) requires that every state agency, board, department, or commission that directly collects demographic data regarding ancestry or ethnic origin to disaggregate Middle Eastern or North African populations from the White demographic or collect separate data on each major Middle Eastern or North African group.

MENA communities across New York State remain underserved, exhibiting higher rates of language access needs, housing insecurity, poverty, domestic abuse, and health disparities. Businesses and organizations that primarily serve these communities struggle to receive equity-based aid because those they serve are classified as white. This can have a direct impact on New Yorkers – such as when a small business is applying for small business development support and is denied because they are demographically mischaracterized. It could also block access to academic scholarships for minorities because MENA individuals are categorized as white. 

Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas represents the 34th Assembly District, which includes the neighborhoods of Astoria, Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Woodside in Queens.

“As someone who grew up in and organizes in Little Egypt, I’m thrilled to see the passage and signage of the NY MENA Data Disaggregation bill by Governor Kathy Hochul, with the leadership support of State Senator Gianaris and Assemblymember Gonzalez Rojas. This is a much-needed and long-awaited step toward ensuring that MENA New Yorkers are counted, seen, and supported. This effort has significant civil rights and equity implications, but we know this is just the beginning. We must continue organizing as a coalition to ensure that MENA communities in New York achieve the equity, visibility, and representation we deserve. Malikah is committed to this work, and I’m proud of the grassroots power and our NY MENA coalition that has made this victory possible,” said Rana Abdelhamid, Executive Director and Founder of MALIKAH

Murad Awawdeh, President & CEO, New York Immigration Coalition said “The signing of the MENA Demographic bill into law represents a historic milestone for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities across New York. For decades, MENA and Arab descent communities have been invisible within our government institutions—their unique identities, challenges, and contributions often remaining unrecognized. This landmark legislation provides long-overdue visibility to these communities and affirms their rightful place in the fabric of New York’s diverse population. It is a powerful acknowledgment of the vital role MENA communities play in shaping the cultural, economic, and social landscape of the state. By establishing a dedicated category, New York ensures their voices are heard and their experiences included in shaping policies that directly impact their lives. We thank Governor Hochul for signing the bill into law and reinforcing the idea that regardless of background, everyone can fully participate in shaping a state that prioritizes equity, opportunity, and dignity for all.” 

“The Yemeni American community is widely known for its entrepreneurial roots in the US and globally. As the Vice President and cofounder of the Yemeni American Merchants Association,  the passage of the MENA Bill is a win for over 10,000 Yemeni American businesses in NYC and across the State of New York among other Arab and North African communities. As a business owner with WBE status, I am thrilled to be recognized ethnically as well among other minority communities that are recognized as MWBEs. Many thanks to  Senator Gianaris and Assembly Member Gonzalez-Rojas for their tireless work on this bill with the Senate and Assembly and Governor Hochul for signing it into law. The Empire State is once again leading by example for the rest of our country” said Dr. Debbie Almontaser, Vice President of the Yemeni American Merchants Association and CEO of Bridging Cultures Group

“The passage of the MENA Data Disaggregation Bill is a groundbreaking achievement for Middle Eastern and North African communities in New York. This legislation addresses decades of invisibility by recognizing the unique challenges and contributions of these communities. By ensuring their inclusion in data and decision-making, it paves the way for greater equity and representation. The Women’s Empowerment Coalition of NYC is proud to have worked hand in hand with the incredible members of the NY MENA Coalition to make this milestone a reality. This success highlights the power of collaboration and our shared commitment to ensuring that MENA communities are seen, heard, and included in decisions that shape their lives,” said Somia Elrowmeim, CEO & Founder of Women’s Empowerment Coalition of  NYC

“This is a historic and incredible moment for the civil rights of MENA New Yorkers. Our communities finally will get the representation they deserve. When you see it, you can be it. This is a day of triumph thanks to the coalition, the strength of our communities, and generations who refused to be erased. For the first time in history, we will have a more accurate count of who we are as MENA communities in New York. Armenians have fought long and hard to be counted in data. Armenian-American Action Network has enthusiastically supported this bill to create proper demographic identification of New York’s diverse MENA communities. With this bill, we will finally see ourselves and our experiences accurately reflected in the New York State Census. We thank Senator Gianaris and Assembly Member Gonzalez-Rojas for their support over the years, the Senate and Assembly for passing it, and Governor Hochul for signing it into law. We very much look forward to the impact it will have, enhancing the health, representation, civil rights, and economic well-being of all of us as MENA New Yorkers.” said Christine Serdjenian Yearwood, Armenian-American Action Network, New York Field Organizer 

“This is a historic bill passage for MENA communities across the state of New York, especially during such a difficult year. As we look towards the future, we believe and hope that MENA data collection will have a positive and longstanding impact on MENA New Yorkers and all New Yorkers as we work and strive for a more equitable future for us all. Thank you to the State of New York and the MENA coalition for ensuring the passage of this vital bill,” said Heba Khalil, ED, Emgage New York Metro 

“In one of the most diverse cities in the nation, New Yorkers of Middle Eastern and North African descent will no longer be invisible, by being lumped into vague categories like ‘white’ or ‘other.’ This lack of recognition has limited cultural representation and, more concerningly, masked real challenges and needs of our communities, including access to appropriate healthcare and community funding. We thank Governor Hochul, State Senator Gianaris, and Assembly Member Gonzalez-Rojas for their support,” said Salma Mohamed, Advocacy and Engagement Lead at the Arab American Family Support Center 

 “As advocates for New York’s vibrant MENA communities, we at AAANY celebrate this historic step toward dismantling decades of invisibility. With this bill, the door opens for better representation, equitable access to vital resources, and data that reflect our true presence and needs” said Maryam Khaldi, Coalition Organizer at the Arab American Association of New York 

“The passage of this bill has been long overdue for our communities. For decades, we have been misrepresented and under-resourced. This marks a significant milestone in achieving fair representation, ensuring that we are seen, heard, and supported. We look forward to continuing our work as a coalition to guarantee that our communities have a strong voice in decisions that affect their everyday lives.” said Badr Alsaidi, Yemeni American Community Activist

“The passage of the MENA Data Disaggregation Bill is a long-overdue victory for our communities. It ensures that MENA New Yorkers are no longer invisible and the community is recognized. This is more than just data; it’s about equity, resources, and representation. At the Muslim Community Network, we’re proud to stand with the NY MENA Coalition in achieving this historic milestone. This is what happens when we come together to fight for change—our communities are finally seen and counted.” said Husein Yatabarry, Executive Director of the Muslim Community Network

“The signing of the New York State MENA Data Disaggregation Bill is a historic step in ensuring that Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) New Yorkers are recognized in state data collection,” said Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung, Co-Executive Directors of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF). “MENA New Yorkers experience unique struggles in health, education, housing, and political representation, and having clear, disaggregated data on these communities will allow our state and city governments, as well as community-based organizations throughout New York, to collaborate better on ways to get this population the resources they need. We thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her support of this bill and salute Sen. Michael Gianaris, Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas,  and all of our fellow advocates and community-based organizations in the NY MENA Coalition for their tireless work to ensure this legislation was signed into law,” said Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF)

“Governor Kathy Hochul’s signing of the MENA data disaggregation bill is a testament to the work of our communities. This is a moment to celebrate progress, as it ensures the Yemeni-American community and other MENA populations are seen, heard, and counted. With more accurate data, we can better highlight the incredible contributions of Yemeni-owned businesses, which are at the heart of neighborhoods across New York, and ensure they receive the resources and recognition they deserve. We thank Senator Gianaris and Assembly Member Gonzalez-Rojas for their support and Governor Hochul for her leadership and look forward to the positive impact this will bring to our communities.” said Youssef Mubarez YAMA Action President.

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