Thursday, June 26, 2025

Dance Worker Digest | June 2025

By Dance/NYC

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Dance Worker Digest
June 2025

This month’s Dance Worker Digest covers a new federal travel ban, police violence against anti-ICE protestors, the passage of New York’s RAISE Act on AI safety, and the rollout of the FARE Act ending forced broker fees.

Trump Administration Imposes Travel Ban on Residents of 19 Countries

In early June, the Trump administration issued a full or partial travel ban on residents of 19 countries, echoing the widely-criticized “Muslim ban” from his first term, but expanding its reach. Many of the affected countries are Muslim-majority and all are outside of Europe. While existing visas will not be revoked, new visas will be heavily restricted or entirely blocked, depending on the country and type of visa. The administration is also considering adding 36 countries to this list.

This policy reflects escalating xenophobia, nationalism, and racism. It endangers hundreds of thousands of immigrant New Yorkers who may face increased scrutiny at the border, the loss of visa renewals and the threat of forced departure or undocumented status. It also drastically limits access for international dance workers and immigrant artists, cutting off opportunities for cultural exchange, collaboration, and a livelihood in the U.S.

Thousands of Anti-ICE Protestors Are Met with Police Violence

Hands holding cardboard poster that reads ‘no human being is illegal’

Throughout early June, thousands of people across the country have joined protests against the escalating deportations and state violence against immigrants. The locus of these protests have been in Los Angeles, where police have implemented liberal use of tear gas, rubber bullets, flash-bang grenades, and other weapons. In LA, President Trump deployed over 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines, receiving widespread criticism from legal rights groups as well as state and city officials for federal overreach, a disregard for free speech, and the right to protest.

In New York City, many protests have centered around a lower Manhattan courthouse where ICE have arrested people attending their immigration hearings. Families are caught off-guard, detained, and separated by ICE agents, who are often masked and rarely identify themselves by name and agency. City Council lawmakers are calling for an investigation on possible violations of sanctuary city laws by NYPD.

The Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act Passes New York State Legislature

Mobile phone with ChatGPT homepage on screen.

A new law regulating large artificial intelligence companies passed the New York State legislature and is now awaiting signature by by Governor Hochul. The RAISE Act establishes baseline AI safety measures by requiring major AI companies to create, publish and follow protocols managing high-risk AI systems. It includes protections for whistleblowers, mandates third-party audits, and authorizes the state to penalize companies that fail to comply.

The RAISE Act represents a first action towards responsible governance of AI development. While it only mitigates the most severe risks by the largest companies, it may signal increased political will on this issue. Dance workers need AI safeguards that protect their valuable creative labor from theft and replacement. It is important to keep on advocating for regulations that center the interests of everyday, working people in AI development.

FARE Act Goes Into Effect Banning Forced Broker Fees

On June 11, the FARE Act went into effect, ending forced broker fees. Now, renters are no longer required to pay broker fees when a broker was hired by the landlord. This means that landlords cannot charge tenants a broker fee, even if the lease was signed before June 11. Brokers who list apartments online must bill the landlord, not the tenant, for their services. Those who were charged a broker fee after June 11 can file a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protections to get your money back.

Last June, Dance/NYC submitted testimony in support of the FARE Act. When the median asking rent for a New York City apartment is 82%—more than an average dancer’s monthly income from dance—action is essential to ensure dance workers can remain in their communities. The passage of the FARE Act is a vital move towards a more supportive housing economy for all New Yorkers.

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