Mayor Mamdani last Friday signed an executive order reinforcing the city’s sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation between local and federal officials on immigration enforcement.
The decree, which Mamdani signed while delivering remarks at the annual Interfaith Breakfast in Manhattan, bars U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from entering city property, including schools, shelters and hospitals, without a judicial warrant. It also requires city agencies to appoint a privacy officer to ensure that New Yorkers’ data is not shared with immigration authorities unless required by law.
The order further establishes an interagency committee to coordinate crisis policy, and requires city agencies including the NYPD, Department of Correction and Department of Social Services to conduct audits of all internal policies guiding interactions with immigration authorities.
“This order is a sweeping reaffirmation of our commitment to our immigrant neighbors and to public safety as a whole,” Mamdani said. He also launched a “Know Your Rights” push, giving out nearly 32,000 informational fliers and booklets for faith leaders to share with congregants.
His announcement comes amid tension between civilians and federal officials cracking down on unlawful immigration in Minnesota, where ICE agents killed two American citizens during separate confrontations last month.
Mamdani in his speech spoke of the “moral clarity and integrity” of those in attendance, and referenced religious texts including the Torah, the Bhagavad Gita and the Quran. He quoted the prophet Muhammad in part of his remarks about standing alongside the stranger.
In response, City Councilmember Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone) said on X, “We have to allow infinity migrants because Islam says so, according to Zohran. This isn’t going to end well.”
Paladino said in a separate post that judicial warrants are “irrelevant” in administrative immigration cases, and that mayors cannot “nullify” federal law.
For Councilmember Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), the executive order is “a lot of talk but little substance.”
“It will get his base riled up, certainly, but most of the things he’s talking about are already covered by New York’s sanctuary laws,” Ariola said in a statement. If anything, she continued, the added restrictions on ICE’s ability to remove dangerous criminals will make New Yorkers less safe.
Councilmember Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills) also noted that the protections in the order are not new, and have existed under both Democratic and Republican administrations.
“At their core, they reaffirm that New York City remains a place for everyone,” Schulman said in a statement.
“As the federal government refuses to stand up to ICE, signing blank checks to continue Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda, New York City is fighting back,” Councilmember Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights) said on X.
Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton) concurred, saying the Bill of Rights is presently being treated as “fine print you can scroll past.”
“The Constitution isn’t ‘guidance.’ It’s the guardrail. And NYC’s message to ICE is clear: A home is sacred ground in the law,” Brooks-Powers said in an X post. “No judge, no warrant, no entry.”
Other New York lawmakers have recently taken steps to bolster sanctuary policies. The Council on Jan. 29 enacted a law by Councilmember Tiffany Cabán (D-Astoria) barring ICE from Rikers Island, and Gov. Hochul introduced legislation to prevent taxpayer-funded resources from being used for immigration enforcement.
U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) and Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) held a press conference at Borough Hall Jan. 29 to denounce what they termed brutality by federal agents. Both lawmakers said they would not vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security without guardrails to rein in ICE.
President Trump last week signed a spending package that funded the DHS through Feb. 13, amid negotiations about ICE restrictions. Senate Democrats were dissatisfied with a White House proposal made last weekend, and lawmakers seemed no closer to reaching an extension deal as of press time.
“From our streets to our courthouses, immigrant New Yorkers are forced to look over their shoulders in fear,” New York Immigration Coalition President and CEO Murad Awawdeh said in a statement. “Mayor Mamdani’s announcement recognizes his responsibility to defend all residents from abusive immigration enforcement, and our moral obligation to protect our immigrant neighbors from these attacks.”