NEW YORK — The New York State Division of Human Rights has fined a Queens housing provider $55,000 and ordered new fair housing policies after finding the landlord discriminated against tenants based on national origin.
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The case involved Parsons 88 Realty LLC, Zara Realty Holding Corp., and several individuals accused of posting a lobby sign at a Jamaica, Queens building encouraging residents to report “suspicious criminal activity” — including “immigration” — to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Threatening to “round up tenants” or call ICE because of someone’s national origin is blatant discrimination.
And in New York, it’s illegal. Any company engaging in it will be fined.
Report discrimination to @NYSHumanRights. https://t.co/NCEuz84H3V
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 22, 2025
Officials said the sign, which was not authorized by ICE, sent a message that immigrants were unwelcome and presumed to be undocumented. Investigators also found that building staff harassed tenants and interfered with the state’s probe, allegedly threatening residents with immigration raids for cooperating.
Under the settlement, the owners must pay the fine, display official fair housing posters, adopt written anti-discrimination policies, remove rental questions about national origin, and have employees complete fair housing training.
Division Commissioner Denise Miranda called the case “unacceptable, unconscionable, and illegal,” adding that New York “remains committed to protecting anyone discriminated against because of their national origin, citizenship, or immigration status.”
The agreement includes a three-year compliance review, requiring landlords to submit rental policies and application records to the state.
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