New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani released a video on Sunday outlining what he described as the legal options available to legal immigrants and illegal aliens during encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The message followed an ICE enforcement attempt in Lower Manhattan on December 1, during which roughly 200 demonstrators gathered and blocked officers outside a parking garage, according to prior reporting.
Throughout the video, Mamdani referred broadly to “immigrants” and did not distinguish between legal status categories. He said he intends to protect “the more than 3 million immigrants who call this city their home” and urged viewers to understand what they may do if federal officers arrive at a residence or workplace. “We can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights,” he said.
Mamdani gives advice on how to evade ICE https://t.co/O9oqjbp8CC pic.twitter.com/32rCQN5nBI
— New York Post (@nypost) December 7, 2025
Mamdani stated that individuals may decline to speak with federal immigration officers and may refuse entry unless ICE presents a judicial warrant signed by a judge. He showed an example of a judicial warrant and contrasted it with administrative paperwork that, he said, does not authorize forced entry into private spaces. “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 said.
The mayor-elect also explained that people may legally record ICE encounters if they do not interfere. He told viewers they have the right to remain silent and may ask officers whether they are free to leave. “If you are being detained, you may always ask, ‘Am I free to go?’ repeatedly until they answer you,” Mamdani said. He advised individuals to remain calm and avoid obstructing an investigation.
The December 1 enforcement attempt was the second ICE operation in Lower Manhattan within six weeks. In a prior enforcement action in October, ICE arrested nine illegal aliens, according to reporting at the time.
New York City describes its approach as “limited-cooperation” rules with federal immigration authorities. These policies restrict communication between local agencies and ICE except in cases involving certain crimes designated by city law. Mamdani reaffirmed his support for these rules and said he intends to protect all immigrants, including illegal aliens, living in the city. “New Yorkers have a constitutional right to protest, and when I am mayor, we will protect that right,” he said.
According to 2022 data from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, New York City is home to an estimated 412,000 illegal aliens.
The video was released as the federal government has increased immigration enforcement efforts and publicly identified jurisdictions that limit cooperation, as previously reported by The Center Square. The review is part of a broader federal assessment of cities and counties that restrict communication with immigration agencies.
Cities outside New York have faced similar scrutiny. As previously reported by The Dallas Express in March, Dallas’ Office of Equity and Inclusion promoted workshops that included guidance for immigrants on interacting with ICE. Those sessions provided information on declining entry without a judicial warrant and seeking legal counsel during encounters with federal officers.
Mamdani met with President Donald Trump at the White House on November 21, where both sides described the discussion as constructive despite clear differences over immigration enforcement. He will take office on January 1.
