New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani released a video on social media this Sunday (12/7) with advice on how immigrants should behave when approached by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The message came after federal agents carried out an operation in Manhattan, which sparked protests in the Canal Street neighborhood. Watch the video:
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
In the video posted on social media, Mamdani says he intends to protect the approximately 3 million immigrants who live in the city and encourages people to remain calm in these situations.
“We can all stand up to ICE if we know our rights,” he said. He stressed that New York “is and always will be a city for all immigrants” and asked residents to “protect their neighbors.”
Son of immigrants and on the verge of becoming the first Muslim mayor in the city’s history, the socialist takes office on January 1.
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Zohran Mamdani
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Democrat Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York on Tuesday (04/11)
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Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani meet at the White House
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Mamdani explained that in the United States, anyone has the right to refuse conversations with federal agents, record approaches – as long as they do not interfere – and refuse requests to enter private places.
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He said ICE agents cannot access homes, schools or private areas of work environments without a court order. “You have the right to say, ‘I’m not giving consent for them to come in and I have the right to keep the door closed,'” he said.
Mamdani also warned that ICE can produce documents claiming to have authorization to detain someone, but stressed that the agency is legally allowed to lie during checks. “You have the right to remain silent,” he said. If the person is detained, he recommends repeatedly asking, “Am I free to go?” until you get an answer.
wave of protests
This publication follows new federal immigration control measures in New York and amid a wave of protests against this type of operation. In October, another attempted arrest in the Canal Street neighborhood sparked a mobilization of residents and activists.
A few weeks before the taping, Mamdani had a cordial meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. The Trump administration has ramped up ICE operations in several cities across the country, including New Orleans, and is keeping pressure on local governments that oppose federal actions.
In the video, the elected mayor reaffirms his promise to govern to defend the immigrant community. “New York will always welcome immigrants and I will fight every day to protect, support and celebrate our immigrant brothers and sisters,” he concluded.
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