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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2026 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 3

Queens College Secures Over $3 Million For New Attorney General James Releases
Nanofabrication Facility And STEM Workforce Initiatives 2025’s Top Consumer Complaints,

Queens College will build the vital to students who are entering in data protection, encryption, Warns New Yorkers to Stay Vigilant
borough’s first nanofabrication today’s workforce,” Wu said. “We security log analysis, and forensic (Continued from page 2) ware upgrades, ignition cylinder
facility—an advanced “clean- are grateful to Congresswoman investigation. Students will learn sleeves, or restitution if theft oc-
room” designed for micro- and Meng and Senator Gillibrand for from both academic experts and • Credit, Banking & Mortgages curred after April 29, 2025.
nanoscale device fabrication— recognizing the value of scientific seasoned ethical hackers, gaining — 4,235 complaints including Utilities and Winter Protections
thanks to more than $3 million in research, practical education, and practical experience in identifying identity theft, debt collection, loan New Yorkers have strong pro-
federal funding secured by U.S. the college’s indispensable role and mitigating cyber threats. scams, and credit reporting issues. tections against winter shutoffs.
Rep. Grace Meng. The investment within the borough and city.” The third project expands the • Landlord/Tenant — 4,041 Utilities must provide extended
supports three major STEM initia- Meng, a senior member of the Queens Technology and Innova- complaints involving security de- notice, cannot disconnect service
tives aimed at expanding research House Appropriations Commit- tion Hub at the Tech Incubator posits, evictions, and harassment. during the Christmas–New Year
capacity, strengthening student tee, emphasized the long-term im- at Queens College (TIQC). With • Consumer Services — 3,330 period, and must assess health
career readiness, and opening pact on Queens residents. “Queens over $1 million in new fund- complaints about immigration ser- risks before terminating service.
new pathways for local youth and College does a tremendous job ing, the hub will offer hands-on vice providers, movers, dry clean- Internet and Account Security
underserved residents to engage educating our future workforce, training in artificial intelligence, ers, and other personal services. The AG urges residents to use
with emerging technologies. and these projects will help ensure machine learning, blockchain, • Utilities — 1,423 complaints strong passwords, multifactor
The cleanroom project, jointly that students are well prepared in data analytics, and cybersecurity. involving phone, cable, and en- authentication, breach-checking
funded by Rep. Meng and U.S. crucial and demanding fields such It will also launch community ergy services. tools, and updated antivirus soft-
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, rep- as STEM,” she said. “Our students programs that apply emerging • Home Repair/Improvement ware to prevent account takeovers.
resents over $1 million of the are our future. We must make the technologies to local needs, with — 1,349 complaints, including Parents are encouraged to moni-
allocation and positions Queens investments they require, and this a focus on youth engagement and contractor fraud and solar instal- tor children’s gaming and social
College as a regional leader in money will also benefit our great economic mobility. Partnerships lation issues. media use, avoid overnight device
semiconductor and nanotechnolo- borough.” with Google, Verizon, the Queens • Entertainment — 1,079 com- access, and use parental controls.
gy training. Housed in the Physics The cleanroom will support Public Library, and local health plaints about events, ticketing, and Banking and Credit Fraud
Department, the Class 1,000 facil- research in semiconductors, la- systems will connect students to streaming services. Residents are warned never
ity will filter more than 99.9 per- ser technology, solar energy, internships, applied projects, and • Travel — 718 complaints, to click unsolicited links, share
cent of airborne particles, enabling and cancer-detection sensors, job opportunities. largely tied to airline cancellations verification codes, or move money
students and researchers to design while also preparing students Queens College, long recog- and refund disputes. at the direction of a caller. Credit
and fabricate devices with features for high-demand jobs created by nized for its academic excellence Key Fraud Trends and Con- freezes and fraud alerts remain
thousands of times thinner than a the federal CHIPS and Science and affordability, continues to sumer Protections free tools to protect personal data.
human hair. Such environments Act. Despite New York’s grow- rank among the nation’s top pub- Algorithmic Pricing Immigration Scams
are essential for producing the ing semiconductor sector, many lic institutions. With more than A new state law now requires The AG warns that immigration
chips that power smartphones, positions remain unfilled due to a 160 undergraduate and graduate companies to disclose when they service providers are not attorneys
artificial intelligence systems, and shortage of trained workers—an programs, the college maintains use personal data to set individual- and cannot offer legal advice.
next-generation medical sensors. issue the college aims to address a strong reputation for research, ized prices. Consumers are urged They must use clear contracts,
College President Frank H. Wu directly. liberal arts, and workforce prepa- to compare prices across devices, cannot imply special government
said the investment strengthens A second initiative, funded with ration. accounts, and locations to detect access, and cannot threaten cli-
both academic and economic op- more than $1 million, will estab- The new federal investments, undisclosed “surveillance pric- ents. Victims are urged to report
portunity. “This funding positions lish the Queens College Working campus leaders say, will deepen ing.” Violations can result in fraud to the AG’s Immigration
the college as a leader in techno- Group for Digital Forensics: Anal- that mission—expanding oppor- $1,000 penalties per incident. Services Fraud Unit.
logical research and development, ysis and Defense. Based in the tunity for students while strength- Price Gouging Home Improvement Scams
STEM education, and career read- Computer Science Department, ening Queens’ role in the nation’s During emergencies, businesses Following storms and high
iness—a combination that is so the program will train students growing technology economy. cannot charge “unconscionably contractor demand, residents are
excessive” prices for essential urged to avoid unsolicited repair
Gillibrand, Schumer, Fetterman Introduce Legislation To goods such as gasoline, batter- offers, verify licenses, check refer-
Expand Nutrition Assistance For Puerto Ricans ies, lodging, or transportation. ences, and never pay cash deposits
Consumers reporting gouging before signing a contract.
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand “I’ve always maintained that this issue while in Congress was should document dates, locations, Air Travel Rights
(D-NY), Senate Democratic SNAP is a critical lifeline, yet the Puerto Rico Nutrition As- receipts, and photos. Travelers may be entitled to
Leader Charles E. Schumer Puerto Ricans aren’t fully eli- sistance Fairness Act, bipartisan Housing and Rent Issues refunds or compensation for can-
(D-NY), and U.S. Senator John gible. We all get hungry and we legislation to secure a structured Tenants continue to report cellations, delays, or overbooking.
Fetterman (D-PA) introduced the shouldn’t punish people when and successful transition. Sena- security deposit violations and Airlines must provide timely sta-
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance they need food,” said Senator tor Gillibrand has historically rent overcharges. Landlords must tus updates and honor their cus-
Fairness Act. This landmark leg- Fetterman. “I’m proud to sup- been our lead for this bill in the return deposits within 14 days tomer service plans. Checked bag
islation would address inequali- port the Puerto Rico Nutrition Senate, and I am thankful that or provide an itemized damage fees must be refunded if luggage is
ties in food assistance to Puerto Assistance Fairness Act to make we can count on her once more list; failure to do so may entitle lost or significantly delayed.
Ricans by allowing Puerto Rico USDA nutrition programs more as she reintroduces this important tenants to double damages. Rent- Reporting Fraud
to fully participate in the Supple- fair and accessible.” proposal in the 119th Congress. stabilized tenants are reminded to New Yorkers who believe
mental Nutrition Assistance “This Senate bill builds on the I look forward to continuing to check their rent histories and avoid they’ve been scammed can file
Program (SNAP). work we have done in the House work together.” signing back dated documents. complaints online or call the At-
“Puerto Rico’s exclusion from to address the cost-of-living Currently, U.S. citizens living Automobile Fraud torney General’s hotline at 1 800
SNAP has needlessly punished challenges that Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico participate in the The AG highlighted Lemon 771 7755. The AG’s office encour-
Puerto Ricans, ripping away es- face,” said Resident Commis- Nutrition Assistance Program Law protections and ongoing ac- ages residents to stay informed,
sential nutrition benefits and bil- sioner Pablo José Hernández. (NAP), a capped block grant that tion against Hyundai and Kia for document suspicious activity,
lions of dollars in funding to the “I commend Senator Gillibrand is not needs-based or reactive to inadequate anti-theft technology. and report fraud promptly to help
island,” said Senator Gillibrand. for her leadership in introduc- increased participation. This has Owners may be eligible for soft- protect consumers statewide.
“The vital Puerto Rico Nutrition ing the Senate companion and led to lower nutrition benefits
Assistance Fairness Act would strengthening this effort to im- for residents of Puerto Rico than Riders, MTA Win Federal Court
correct this injustice by enabling prove affordability in Puerto for residents of the 50 states and Victory Over DC Bureaucrats, Saving
Puerto Ricans to participate Rico.” the District of Columbia. Fur-
in SNAP and receive Disaster “Puerto Rico’s Nutrition As- thermore, the NAP block grant Successful Congestion Relief Program
SNAP in the wake of natural sistance Program (NAP) lacks has no equivalent to Disaster
disasters and other emergencies. several important tools that are SNAP, meaning that Puerto Riders Alliance Policy & Com- Judge Liman’s exacting decision
I’m proud to lead the charge to available under the Supplemental Rican disasters or emergencies munications Director Danny stops a vengeful federal government
get this legislation passed, and Nutrition Assistance Program require separate, new appropria- Pearlstein said: from punishing working New York-
I’ll keep fighting until Puerto Ri- (SNAP) and are designed to pro- tions from Congress which can ers for such a resounding public
cans have the same benefits that vide direct support to beneficia- take months. There are currently “New York’s congestion relief policy victory.
are afforded to other American ries,” said Puerto Rico Governor approximately 1.5 million NAP program today continues its unin- “We are grateful to our expert at-
citizens.” Jeniffer González-Colón. “Aside participants. terrupted winning streak on our torneys at Earthjustice and our state
“Our fellow citizens in Puerto from providing greater benefit The Puerto Rico Nutrition streets and in the courts. and City partners in the litigation for
Ricans have been unjustly ex- assistance, SNAP offers opportu- Assistance Fairness Act would “After more than a year of suc- standing up for the incontrovertible
cluded from the Supplemental nities for economic development transition Puerto Rico from NAP cess, saving commuters time and facts and the rule of law at such a
Nutrition Assistance Program for via education, training, and em- to SNAP. raising money to fix the subway, perilous moment for both.”
decades,” said Senator Schumer. ployment, and offers robust assis- This legislation is endorsed by
“I’m proud to champion this leg- tance in the aftermath of natural the Hispanic Federation, Coali-
islation with Senator Gillibrand and other disasters. This is why tion for Food Security, MAZON:
to right past wrongs by enabling Puerto Rico needs a transition A Jewish Response to Hunger,
our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico from NAP to SNAP, a goal that I and Bread for the World.
to fully participate in SNAP and support and have worked on for “For more than four decades,
ensuring the people of Puerto many years, first as a member of American Families in Puerto
Rico have the full access to fed- Congress and now as Governor.
eral resources that they deserve.” One of the bills I introduced on (Continued on page 4)