New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani released a video message on Sunday advising immigrants on how to respond if approached by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following what he said was an attempted raid on Manhattan’s Canal Street last weekend.
“Last weekend, ICE attempted to raid Canal Street and detain our immigrant neighbours," Mamdani said in the video posted on X. He pledged that under his administration, City Hall would defend the rights of all residents, including the more than three million immigrants who live in New York.
Mamdani urged viewers to familiarise themselves with their legal protections when interacting with ICE.
“ICE cannot enter private spaces like your home, school, or non-public areas of your workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge," he said, displaying examples of paperwork often presented by officers that do not meet that requirement.
“You have the right to say, ‘I do not consent to entry,’ and the right to keep your door closed," he added. Mamdani also noted that ICE agents are legally permitted to lie during encounters, and advised individuals to exercise their right to remain silent.
“If you are being detained, you may always ask, ‘Am I free to go?’ repeatedly until they answer you," he said.
He further reminded New Yorkers that they are allowed to film ICE activity as long as they do not interfere with an arrest, and emphasised their constitutional right to protest. “When I’m mayor, we will protect that right," Mamdani said.
The mayor-elect is set to take office on January 1, 2026.
