A New York City housing provider has been fined $55,000 by the city’s Commission on Human Rights after posting anti-immigrant signs throughout one of its apartment buildings. The signs, which warned tenants that “illegal immigrants are not welcome” and demanded proof of citizenship for lease renewals, were deemed discriminatory under city law.
According to officials, the posters were displayed in common areas of a Bronx residential property managed by the landlord since mid-2024. Tenants reported the signage to authorities earlier this year, prompting a formal investigation.
Tenants’ Complaints Lead to Inquiry
Residents said the signs created an atmosphere of fear, particularly among immigrant families. One tenant described avoiding the building’s lobby and mailroom for weeks after the notices appeared, fearing confrontation with building staff. Another tenant, a longtime resident originally from Honduras, said she felt “targeted and unwelcome in [her] own home.”
The Commission’s Office of Law Enforcement confirmed receiving multiple complaints from renters and advocacy groups. The investigation determined that the landlord’s actions violated city human rights laws, which explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on immigration status, alienage, or national origin.
Human Rights Commission’s Response
The New York City Commission on Human Rights has made clear that such conduct will not be tolerated. Chair and Commissioner Annabel Palma stated that the penalty reflects “the city’s zero tolerance for intimidation or bias in housing.” Palma emphasized that landlords have a legal and moral duty to ensure rental spaces remain inclusive, regardless of a tenant’s country of birth or documentation status…