Mamdani vs. Trump: New York Mayor Educates on Immigrant Rights.
Newsweek wrote: In the video, Mamdani outlined several key rights for people facing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, including the right not to speak to federal immigration agents, the right to film them without interfering with their work, and the right to refuse requests to enter private spaces. According to Mamdani, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents cannot enter homes, schools, or private areas of workplaces without a court order signed by a judge.
The video was released days after an ICE raid on Manhattan, sparking protests in nearby Chinatown.
Mamdani, who will be sworn in as New York City mayor on Jan. 1, has promised to protect the city’s 3 million immigrants. He told the immigrants, “If you know your rights, we can stand up to ICE agents.”
The release of the video shows Mamdani’s plans to manage tensions between sanctuary city policies and the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.
Trump’s Threat Against Sanctuary Cities
Mamdani is the first Muslim mayor of New York City, having defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary and mayoral elections with 50.4 percent of the vote. Trump has promised to target more cities that are safe havens for immigrants, threatening to cut off their funding if they don’t comply with federal immigration enforcement.
In his training video, Mamdani said, “Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are allowed to lie to you, but you have the right to remain silent. If you are arrested, you can ask over and over again, ‘Am I allowed to leave?’ Keep asking until they answer.”
The mayor’s training video was released as protesters gathered after officers made arrests on Canal Street near Chinatown. Similar arrests last October also sparked protests, highlighting the ongoing tensions between federal forces and the public.
Mamdani is a vocal critic of the mission of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, describing it as a corrupt agency with no interest in law and order.
He has previously vowed to use his authority as mayor to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from deporting New Yorkers.