In brief
In a video shared on social media over the weekend, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani asserted the rights of immigrants to refuse compliance with ICE agents. This declaration comes in response to recent ICE operations in Manhattan, including a raid that sparked local protests. Mamdani reiterated that immigrants have the right to film agents and not answer questions without legal representation, pledging to protect the city's diverse immigrant community.
NEW YORK (RTW News) — New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani shared a video on social media this Sunday, advocating for immigrants' rights in the face of recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, particularly a raid that took place in Manhattan.In his video, Mamdani promised to defend the rights of the city’s three million immigrants, declaring, We can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights. He explained that individuals in the U.S. have the legal right to refuse to speak with federal agents, record them without interference, and deny access to private spaces without a proper judicial warrant.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 stated, as he prepares to take office on January 1.His statements followed protests from the previous week when demonstrators gathered to oppose ICE actions on Canal Street, an area close to Chinatown, where a similar raid had faced backlash last October.Mamdani concluded his message by affirming New York's welcoming stance towards 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.Earlier, Mamdani had a surprisingly cordial meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, whose administration continues to engage in federal immigration enforcement operations across various U.S. cities, including recent instances in New Orleans.
