New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani released a video statement on Sunday in which he provided guidance to illegal aliens in the city on how to evade and thwart U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The message, which was posted to Mamdani’s X page, followed an ICE operation in Manhattan’s Chinatown the previous weekend, during which federal agents attempted to detain individuals on Canal Street. The video, titled “Protect Your Rights: What to Do When Encountering ICE in NYC,” outlines specific steps for residents to follow during potential encounters with ICE. Mamdani begins by addressing entry restrictions, stating, “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 then displayed an image of a valid judicial warrant for reference and contrasts it with non-binding administrative documents that agents might present. “You have the right to say, ‘I do not consent to entry,’ and the right to keep your door closed,” he said.
On communication, Mamdani notes, “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.”
He also advises on documentation, explaining that individuals are “legally allowed to film ICE, as long as you do not interfere with an arrest.” The message concludes with a broader call to action, stating, “New Yorkers have a constitutional right to protest, and when I’m mayor, we will protect that right.”
JUST IN: Mamdani pledges to protect illegals in NYC and stand up to ICE.
This comes days after promising to STOP sweeping homeless encampments.
NYC is getting what they voted for… pic.twitter.com/NGDe5NOF3n
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 7, 2025
The video aligns with several of Mamdani’s campaign commitments focused on limiting federal immigration enforcement in New York City. During his bid for mayor, Mamdani frequently highlighted the city’s immigrant population, describing himself as the leader of “more than 3 million immigrants” and pledging, “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.”
He has vowed to uphold “Sanctuary City” policies, under which local local law enforcement and city offices are barred from cooperating with federal immigration agents. “My message to ICE agents and to everyone across this city is that everyone will be held to the same standard of the law. If you violate the law, you must be held accountable,” he said in a post-election speech, echoing fellow Democrats who have threatened to arrest federal agents.
Mamdani has also criticized ICE as “a rogue agency, one that has no interest in laws, no interest in order,” and committed to expanding city-funded legal defense for the city’s illegal alien residents.
During the campaign cycle, President Trump slammed Mamdani for endorsing communist groups and policies in the past, referring to him as a “communist lunatic” who would destroy New York City. Mamdani’s rhetoric was similar, as the mayor-elect has repeatedly referred to the president as a “fascist” and has vowed to oppose him at all costs.
Trump endorsed Mamdani’s rival, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and has vowed to withhold federal funding from the city if Mamdani interferes with ICE operations or defies the federal government in other ways, which he has vowed to do.
