Mamdani Releases Video to Help Immigrants Avoid ICE Activity

New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani released a video on Sunday that effectively instructs immigrants on how to avoid being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, following an attempted ICE operation in Manhattan. Mamdani framed the video as a rights-education effort, and cautioned against resisting arrest of interfering with arrests, but detractors argue he is providing tools to thwart federal enforcement.

The video was released amid rising scrutiny over immigration enforcement in New York, with Mamdani signaling he intends to push back aggressively against federal actions he claims endanger immigrant communities. Opponents say his message instead encourages residents to avoid cooperation with ICE.

Mamdani opens the video by referencing an ICE attempt last weekend to take immigrants into custody.

“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 said. “But we can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights.”

He then lays out step-by-step instructions for how immigrants should respond when confronted by ICE agents, guidance that critics say mirrors advice given by activist groups that encourage avoiding detention.

“First, 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 advised. “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 added that agents may show paperwork suggesting they can make an arrest but insisted “that is false.”

“ICE is legally allowed to lie to you, but you have the right to remain silent,” the mayor-elect said. “If you’re being detained, you may always ask, ‘Am I free to go?’ repeatedly until they answer you.”

Mamdani also noted that people can record ICE activity as long as they do not interfere with an operation.

“It is important to remain calm during any interaction with ICE or law enforcement. Do not impede their investigation, resist arrest or run,” he said.

He concluded by highlighting New Yorkers’ constitutional right to protest, a message his opponents say further positions the city against federal immigration enforcement.

“New Yorkers have a constitutional right to protest, and when I’m mayor, we will protect that right,” he said. “New York will always welcome immigrants, and I will fight each and every day to protect, support and celebrate our immigrant brothers and sisters.”

The video was posted a little more than two weeks after Mamdani met with President Donald Trump, a meeting that suggested a warming of relations as they found agreement on issues like affordability and quality of life in the city.

Nevertheless, Mamdani reaffirmed New York’s sanctuary city stance during a speech in the Bronx.

“I shared with the president directly that New Yorkers want to follow the laws of our city, and the laws of our city say that, in our sanctuary city policies, city government can be in touch with the federal government on around 170 serious crimes,” Mamdani said last month. “The concern comes from beyond those crimes, the many New Yorkers who are being arrested, they’re being detained, they’re being deported for the crime of making a regular court appearance.”

“My focus as the next mayor of this city is going to be to protect immigrants who call this city their home,” he added.