Mamdani tells immigrant New Yorkers about their right not to comply with ICE

Mayor-elect’s video instructs New Yorkers on their right to remain silent, film agents, and refuse entry without a judicial warrant signed by a judge

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Police and ICE officers stand guard as people gather near a General Services Administration parking lot to prevent ICE from leaving for an immigration raid in New York City. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:16am, 8 Dec 2025Updated: 8:49am, 8 Dec 2025

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani posted a video to social media on Sunday explaining immigrants’ right to refuse to speak to or comply with agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), days after federal agents carried out a raid in Manhattan.

In the video, Mamdani vowed to protect the city’s 3 million immigrants, saying, “We can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights.”

He explained that people in the US can choose not to speak to federal immigration agents, film them without interfering and refuse their requests to enter private spaces.

ICE agents cannot enter spaces such as homes, schools or private areas of a workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge, Mamdani said.

“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,” said Mamdani, who will be sworn in as mayor on January 1.

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