NEW YORK, New York — Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani urged immigrant New Yorkers to assert their legal rights during recent federal immigration sweeps, releasing a video Sunday outlining what residents can refuse during encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The message followed an ICE raid in Manhattan that drew protests and renewed concern among immigrant communities.
Mamdani reminded residents that ICE cannot enter homes, schools or private workplaces without a judicial warrant and emphasized that individuals may legally decline to answer questions from immigration agents. “ICE is legally allowed to lie to you, but you have the right to remain silent,” he said, adding that those detained should repeatedly ask, “Am I free to go?” until agents respond.
The mayor-elect said New York’s 3 million immigrants would remain protected under the city’s longstanding sanctuary policies, which he discussed during a recent meeting with President Trump. He said city officials are only allowed to coordinate with federal authorities on roughly 170 serious offenses and will not expand cooperation amid stepped-up federal enforcement.
The warnings come after demonstrations last week on Canal Street in Manhattan and a similar protest last October in the same neighborhood. Advocates say the increased federal presence has elevated fear in immigrant communities and underscored the need for clear public guidance.
Mamdani takes office January 1 and reiterated that “New York will always welcome immigrants” despite federal raids in New York and New Orleans.
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