New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has released a video teaching New Yorkers how to handle interactions with ICE agents, advising residents on their constitutional rights
New York City’s incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani is bracing himself to tackle escalating immigration enforcement sweeps throughout the metropolis as he prepares to assume office in the coming year.
The 34-year-old Mamdani has previously butted heads with U.S. President Donald Trump on immigration matters, despite a surprisingly amicable encounter during the Democratic-Socialist’s inaugural White House visit last month.
The mayor-elect, whose parents immigrated from Uganda to India, provided city dwellers with guidance on navigating encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials through a bilingual video featuring English and Spanish captions, posted Sunday, declaring, “Know your rights. Protect your neighbors. New York is – and always will be – a city for all immigrants.”
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This development unfolds as law enforcement has faced mounting confrontations with anti-ICE demonstrators during heightened immigration sweeps nationwide, while U.S. President Donald Trump dispatches National Guard forces to target Democratic strongholds like Chicago.
Within the footage, Mamdani outlined what individuals should anticipate during ICE apprehensions and informed them of their legal protections to safeguard themselves and family members from unlawful detention, following yet another attempted ICE operation on Canal Street.
“Last weekend, ICE attempted to raid Canal Street and detain our immigrant neighbors,” he stated.
“As mayor, I will protect the rights of every single New Yorker and that includes the more than 3 million immigrants who call this city their home.”, reports the Irish Star.
“We can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights,” he said.
“If you encounter ICE, these are the things that every New Yorker should know.
“First, ICE cannot enter into private spaces like your home, school or private area of your workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge.”
He continued by offering a visual demonstration of what the search and seizure arrest warrant appears like, emphasizing that without proper documentation, they lack authority to detain you.
“If ICE does not have a judicial warrant signed by a judge, you have the right to say, ‘I do not consent to entry’ and the right to keep your door closed.”
He cautioned that ICE agents may present documentation, displaying a visual sample of Appendix C filings while asserting they possess authority to arrest you, which he describes as “false.
“ICE is legally allowed to lie to you,” he declared in a dramatic close-up shot. “But you have the right to remain silent.”
When detained, he recommends asking, “Am I free to go?” repeatedly until receiving a response. He also pointed out that you can lawfully record ICE interactions “as long as you do not interfere with an arrest.
“It is important to remain calm during any interaction with ICE or law enforcement. Do not impede their investigation, resist arrest or run. One last thing, New Yorkers have a constitutional right to protest. And when I’m mayor, we will protect that right.
“New York will always welcome immigrants, and I will fight each and every day to protect, support and celebrate our immigrant brothers and sisters.”
This follows Mamdani’s surprising move to reappoint Jessica Tisch as the city’s police commissioner, indicating his transition team’s intent to collaborate with Democratic Party centrists.
