Catalina Cruz: Voting and Legislative Record
Catalina Cruz's legislative record is built around landmark immigration legislation, tenant protections, and a growing body of enacted laws addressing food security, healthcare costs, and senior protections. This section examines her documented record, with citations to primary or strong secondary sources.
The Jose Peralta DREAM Act
Cruz helped pass the Jose Peralta New York State DREAM Act, which provides tuition assistance and financial aid to undocumented students pursuing higher education in New York 1,2. The law, named for the late senator whose seat her neighbor Jessica Ramos won, is among the most significant immigration-related legislation in the state's recent history.
The Green Light Bill
Cruz was a leading advocate for the Green Light Bill, which provides driver's licenses to undocumented New Yorkers, allowing them to drive legally, access insurance, and participate more fully in civic life 2,3. The law was a major achievement for the immigrant-rights movement in New York.
The Child Victims Act
Cruz helped pass the Child Victims Act, which extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual-abuse cases, allowing survivors to seek justice long after the abuse occurred 1,2. The law was a broadly supported reform.
Rent-law reforms
Cruz supported sweeping rent-law reforms strengthening tenant protections, consistent with her pre-legislative career representing tenants in housing court 2,3. These reforms were part of a broader progressive legislative package in 2019.
20+ enacted laws and 400+ co-sponsorships
Cruz has passed more than 20 laws and co-sponsored over 400 bills during her Assembly tenure, spanning food insecurity (including Nourish NY), healthcare costs, senior protections, and workers' rights 1,4. The volume of her legislative output is notable for an Assembly member.
Pandemic response
During the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit her Queens district especially hard, Cruz prioritized constituent access to testing, vaccinations, food, and small-business support, partnering with the Queens Chamber of Commerce to provide PPE and grant assistance 4. Her pandemic work was a defining chapter of her tenure.
Assessing the record
Cruz's record is that of a productive Assembly member whose most distinctive contributions are the DREAM Act, the Green Light Bill, and her broader portfolio of immigration, tenant, and food-security legislation. Her personal credibility as a former DREAMer gives her legislative work on immigration an unusual weight. Supporters point to her volume of enacted laws and her advocacy; her record reflects the priorities of her diverse, immigrant-heavy district.