‘Know your rights against ICE,’ Mamdani tells immigrant New Yorkers | VIDEO

New York: New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani posted a video on social media on Sunday explaining immigrants’ right to refuse to speak to or comply with agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 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.”

What Mamdani told immigrants about their 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.

Mamdani said ICE agents cannot enter spaces such as a home, school, or private area of a workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge.

“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.

Protests after ICE action near Chinatown

His comments came a week after demonstrators gathered as ICE attempted to detain people on Canal Street near New York’s Chinatown.

A similar immigration sweep in the same neighbourhood last October was also met with protests.

Promise to protect immigrants in New York

In Sunday’s video, Mamdani said, “New York will always welcome immigrants, and I will fight each and every day to protect, support, and celebrate our immigrant brothers and sisters.”

Meeting with Donald Trump

Weeks earlier, Mamdani had a cordial Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump, whose administration is carrying out federal immigration enforcement operations in several US cities, most recently in New Orleans.