Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani urged undocumented immigrants to ‘know your rights’ and stand up to ICE in a video message Sunday, offering guidance on how to protect themselves from federal enforcement.
The democratic socialist cast himself as the mayor for "more than 3 million immigrants" while speaking in the wake of last weekend’s ICE raid in Chinatown, an operation that was disrupted by protesters.
“Last weekend, ICE attempted to raid Canal Street and detain our immigrant neighbors,” Mamdani said in a video posted on X on Sunday. “As mayor, I’ll protect the rights of every single New Yorker. And that includes the more than 3 million immigrants who call this city their home."
Zohran Mamdani released a video advising New Yorkers on how to avoid ICE enforcement. X/@ZohranKMamdani
"But we can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights," the Queens assembly member said, standing before a flip chart boldly marked with the words "Know Your Rights."
"ICE cannot enter into private spaces like your home, school, or private area of your workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge," Mamdani explained, showing an example of such a warrant on the screen.
“You have the right to say, ‘I do not consent to entry,’ and the right to keep your door closed,” he added, then displayed an example of the non-binding paperwork ICE might present instead of an official judicial warrant.
“ICE is legally allowed to lie to you. But you have the right to remain silent. If you are being detained, you may always ask, ‘Am I free to go?’ repeatedly until they answer you,” Mamdani said.
“You are legally allowed to film ICE, as long as you do not interfere with an arrest,” he added.
The New York mayor-elect released a checklist outlining steps people could take to avoid an ICE arrest. X/@ZohranKMamdani
“New Yorkers have a constitutional right to protest, and when I’m mayor, we will protect that right,” Mamdani said.
Out of the three million immigrants living in New York City, at least 412,000 are undocumented, according to the most recent 2022 data from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
The mayor-elect’s video ignited a backlash from conservatives who labeled undocumented immigrants as criminals, fueling expectations of heightened tensions with the Trump administration once Mamdani assumes office.
Mamdani and President Trump shared an unexpectedly cordial meeting at the White House last month, but their brief camaraderie could be short-lived as the federal government and the incoming city administration clash over approaches to immigration enforcement.
He pledged to serve as the mayor for New York’s "3 million immigrants." Getty Images
Then you ignore laws that you do not like? We should not bother to have borders or immigration laws?" conservative commentator Carmine Sabia wrote in response.
“Aiding abetting and advising criminals,” Liz Rios wrote on X.
“This man is the best gift Democrats have ever handed to [the] GOP,” another user wrote.
The White House and Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Nearly 200 protesters blocked ICE officers from entering a Lower Manhattan parking garage during last Saturday’s raid.
It marked the second major raid in the area in just six weeks, following October operations that led to the arrest of nine undocumented immigrants.
