“Nobody should be discriminated against because of their immigration status, especially not our babies,” said Betty Ruiz, an advocate with Make the Road New York (MRNY).

An immigrant mom of two, Ruiz said she has been unable to find publicly subsidized care for her children due to their undocumented status, making it difficult for her to work.

“Mothers like me urgently need affordable child care,” she said. “We need the city to support these programs financially.”