Highlights:
- Mamdani releases video advising immigrants of their legal rights during ICE encounters.
- Stresses right to remain silent, refuse entry without a judicial warrant, and record officers.
- Calls recent ICE raids in Manhattan evidence of need for widespread rights education.
- Affirms New York’s sanctuary policies despite federal enforcement under President Trump.
- Expresses concern about immigrants detained for minor issues or routine court appearances.
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has issued a forceful reminder to immigrant communities about their legal rights when confronted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, releasing a detailed video message shortly after a high-profile ICE raid in Manhattan. In his address, Mamdani emphasized that immigrants in the United States are not legally required to answer questions from ICE officers and should feel empowered to assert their constitutional protections.
Mamdani opened the video by acknowledging the fear that immigration operations often generate, especially in a city with one of the largest and most diverse immigrant populations in the nation. He pledged that his incoming administration will prioritize safeguarding these communities. “We can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights,” he said, explaining that individuals may remain silent when approached by immigration agents and are allowed to film officers as long as they do not interfere with their activities.
A central element of his message focused on the limits of ICE authority. Mamdani noted that officers are barred from entering private spaces—such as homes, schools, or workplaces—without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Administrative ICE warrants, he stressed, do not carry the same legal power. He further cautioned that ICE agents are legally permitted to misrepresent themselves or the situation, making it even more crucial for individuals to calmly invoke their rights. “If you’re being detained, you may always ask, ‘Am I free to go?’ repeatedly until they answer you,” he said.
The timing of Mamdani’s remarks followed a tense confrontation in Chinatown’s Canal Street area the previous week, where demonstrators gathered as ICE officers attempted to detain several people. This incident echoed a similar operation last October that prompted protests from local residents and immigrant rights groups. According to Mamdani, these repeated episodes underscore the urgent need for public awareness and clarity regarding legal protections.
“New York will always welcome immigrants, and I will fight each and every day to protect, support, and celebrate our immigrant brothers and sisters,” he said, reinforcing his commitment to the city’s long-standing sanctuary policies.
The video also followed an unexpected and unusually cordial Oval Office meeting between Mamdani and President Donald Trump more than two weeks earlier. Despite increased federal immigration enforcement under Trump, including widespread sweeps in cities like New Orleans, Mamdani assured New Yorkers that the city’s sanctuary framework would remain firmly intact.
Speaking at a Bronx church last month, he explained that he reiterated New York’s legal boundaries directly to the president. Under current city law, municipal agencies may communicate with federal authorities only regarding about 170 serious crimes. Mamdani stressed that his greater concern lies with immigrants facing detention or deportation for minor infractions. Many, he noted, are apprehended simply for appearing in court for routine matters.
Mamdani will take office on January 1, and his early messaging makes clear that immigrant rights will be central to his administration’s agenda.
