A new immigration law aimed at stopping unjust deportations went into effect in New York City today.

Under the legislation, undocumented immigrants who have not been convicted of a crime, have no criminal record or outstanding deportation warrants pending against them will be protected from deportation.

The new measure was introduced in the City Council last summer and Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed it into law in November. The Department of Corrections spent the past four months working with immigration advocacy groups on the best way to put it into effect.

"Now, if a person is not found guilty or their charges are dropped, the person is not going to be turned over to immigration," says immigration attorney Lymari Casta. "That has a significant impact."

Casta adds, however, that what her clients really need is a national comprehensive immigration reform.