New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has threatened to sue the Trump administration, alleging that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been using city-owned parking lots to stage immigration enforcement operations without authorization.
Mamdani sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, acting ICE Director David Venturella, and ICE New York field office Director Kenneth Genalo, expressing his deep concern over these reports. He stated that the use of city property for federal immigration enforcement is unauthorized, illegal, endangers city residents, and creates fear among those who rely on city property.
"If your agents continue any unauthorized use of these lots, New York City will take legal action to prevent this unlawful commandeering of City property," Mamdani wrote in the letter.
According to the mayor's correspondence, ICE agents have reportedly used several unstaffed, city-owned parking lots, including one at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and others in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. Mamdani emphasized that these lots are intended for the safe use and enjoyment of New Yorkers and visitors accessing city parks.
"To be clear: the City does not authorize ICE using its property in this manner," Mamdani stated. "Accordingly, you must immediately issue guidance to your agents prohibiting them from using any City lots to stage or conduct enforcement operations."
Mamdani also reiterated New York City's commitment to its immigrant communities, vowing to "use all available lawful means to ensure their safety, well-being, and ability to navigate the City and its resources without fear."
This action follows Mamdani's previous efforts to discourage the use of private parking lots by ICE. In an earlier letter to property owners and operators, he urged them not to make their properties available to ICE as staging areas for enforcement operations.
Mamdani has been a vocal critic of ICE, previously calling for the agency's abolition. His stance has been amplified following incidents involving ICE agents, including a fatal shooting in Houston and another incident in New York City where an ICE agent shot and wounded an individual during an operation.