NYC Mayor Mamdani Criticized for Video Offering ICE Evasion Tips to Immigrants

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash from Republican politicians who claim he provided advice to undocumented immigrants on how to evade U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The criticism stems from a social media video Mamdani posted in Spanish, where he outlined the rights individuals have when encountering ICE officers.

Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, stated in the video that ICE cannot legally enter private residences without a judicial warrant. He advised viewers to look for specific wording on official documents, such as "United States District Court" and a judge's signature, and to ask officers to present the order under a door. For those questioned on the street, Mamdani reminded them of their right to remain silent and to ask if they are free to go.

Several Republican lawmakers publicly condemned Mamdani's actions. New York Representative Nick LaLota stated, "Today, the socialist mayor is using taxpayer resources to instruct illegals, in Spanish, how to evade accountability." Florida Senator Rick Scott echoed this sentiment, accusing Mamdani of "openly helping illegal aliens evade ICE and undermine the law" and linking the actions to "Biden's open border disaster." Utah Senator Mike Lee commented that the video "at no point in this video is anyone urged to abide by the laws of the United States," suggesting the content was not made for the benefit of U.S. citizens.

Mamdani concluded the video by asserting that New York City and its police department do not assist in enforcing civil immigration law. He also affirmed his administration's commitment to protecting the right to protest.

Further criticism came from Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, who called the video "treason," and South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace, who stated, "If you're here illegally, you're not a New Yorker. Period."

The controversy arrives amidst Mamdani's past calls to "abolish ICE," which he has described as "rotten to its core" and detrimental to public safety. These statements have also drawn criticism from some quarters, particularly after ICE apprehended Oscar Belgal, an undocumented migrant with a felony record, in Manhattan on October 8. During a press conference following the incident, protesters chanted that Mamdani was "complicit."

Mamdani has also faced scrutiny for meeting with former President Donald Trump, most recently in September. According to The New York Times, Mamdani was unable to secure Belgal's release despite multiple calls to Trump and then-DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Mamdani has maintained his stance against ICE, stating, "We know, and I've said this directly, whether to the president or to the public, ICE undermines public safety. It makes us less safe."

Additionally, Mamdani has faced pressure from the Democratic Socialists of America, his own party affiliation, to remove NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and "use every power available to him to drive ICE out of New York City." Mamdani has stated he has no plans to remove Tisch as commissioner. The Daily Mail has reached out to Mamdani's office for comment.