NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani posted a video to social media on Sunday explaining immigrants’ right to refuse to speak to or comply with agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), just days after federal agents conducted a raid in Manhattan.
In the video, Mamdani reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the city’s 3 million immigrants, stating, “We can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights.” He clarified that individuals can choose not to engage with ICE agents and can legally document any interactions without obstruction. Furthermore, he emphasized that ICE agents cannot enter private places, such as homes or schools, without a judicial warrant.
“ICE is legally allowed to deceive you, but you have the right to remain silent. If you find yourself detained, consistently ask, ‘Am I free to go?’ until you receive a response,” urged Mamdani, who is set to be inaugurated as mayor on January 1.
His remarks followed a weekend protest where demonstrators gathered as ICE attempted to detain individuals on Canal Street in New York’s Chinatown. Similar immigration raids faced criticism last October, inciting widespread protests, highlighting the tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement within the city.
“New York will always welcome immigrants, and I will fight every day to protect, support, and celebrate our immigrant brothers and sisters,” Mamdani asserted in his video. This comes after a surprisingly cordial meeting between Mamdani and President Trump, whose administration has intensified immigration enforcement operations across various U.S. cities, including recent activities in New Orleans.
