In a video, the New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani told the immigrant residents about their legal rights and not to comply with the US immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
“New York is — and always will be — a city for all immigrants,” the New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani issued a notice to the New Yorkers on Sunday. He told the immigrant residents about their legal rights and not to comply with the US immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
After an ICE raid in Manhattan, and people concerned about their residence, Mamdani shared a video on his X assuring people to “know their rights and protect the neighbours.”
In his tweet the Mayor-elect further affirmed that New York has always been and will be a city for all immigrants.
In the video he said, “We can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights,” he said, stressing that people in the United States can legally refuse to answer questions from immigration agents.
Know your rights. Protect your neighbors.
New York is — and always will be — a city for all immigrants. pic.twitter.com/nuntRzgEwq
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) December 7, 2025
He further highlighted that people living in the US can refuse to answer questions from immigration agents. He also advocated that ICE officers cannot enter a home, school or private workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge.
“ICE is legally allowed to lie to you, but you have the right to remain silent. If you’re being detained, you may always ask, ‘Am I free to go?’ repeatedly until they answer you,” Mamdani said.
Mamdani will take the charge of the Mayor of New York City on January 1st.
Protests from local immigrant groups
The action came as a response to a series of protests occurring in the same neighbourhood last October which drew protests and actions from local residents and immigrant rights groups. Mamdani said such incidents reinforced the need for clear information on legal protections.
Protection of immigrants
“New York will always welcome immigrants, and I will fight each and every day to protect, support, and celebrate our immigrant brothers and sisters,” he said in the video.
After Trump’s stance on immigration and the Oval meeting with Donald Trump, Mayor-elect insisted New York’s sanctuary city policies will remain unchanged.
“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,” he said.
His concern came highlighting the situation as hundreds of immigrants face detention practices and are arrested without any crime.
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