NYC Mayor-elect Mamdani Guides Immigrants on Resisting ICE Raids
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani of New York City has released a public video to educate the city’s large immigrant community on their legal rights when encountering US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The move comes just days after a high-profile ICE operation in Manhattan’s Chinatown, and aims to reassure residents that the incoming administration will prioritize their protection.
“We can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights,” Mamdani stated in the video, emphasizing that individuals in the United States have the legal right to refuse to answer questions from immigration agents.
Core Rights for Residents
Mamdani provided clear guidance on how to interact with ICE:
- Silence is Your Right: He stressed the right to remain silent, noting, “ICE is legally allowed to lie to you, but you have the right to remain silent.”
- No Entry Without a Warrant: Officers cannot enter a private area—such as a home, school, or non-public workplace—without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Residents should decline any request to enter.
- Filming is Permitted: Individuals are allowed to film ICE officers, provided they do not interfere with the ongoing operation.
- Confirm Your Status: If detained, Mamdani advised repeatedly asking, “Am I free to go?” until a direct answer is given.
Sanctuary City Stance Confirmed
The video’s release follows Mamdani’s recent cordial meeting with President Donald Trump. Despite the escalation of federal immigration enforcement under the current administration, Mamdani insisted that New York’s sanctuary city policies will be maintained.
In a prior speech, the Mayor-elect clarified that the city’s cooperation with the federal government is limited to approximately 170 serious crimes. His primary concern is the growing number of immigrants facing detention and deportation for minor issues, including simply attending a routine court appearance.
“New York will always welcome immigrants, and I will fight each and every day to protect, support, and celebrate our immigrant brothers and sisters,” Mamdani concluded, confirming his commitment to the immigrant population ahead of his inauguration on January 1st.
