Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to appoint a close ally and former top City Council staffer, Faiza Ali, as the new head of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs on Monday, sources told NY1.
The appointment comes as the city and state grapple with their response to federal immigration enforcement — and less than a week after Mamdani met with fellow mayor Jacob Frey, of Minneapolis, to discuss that city’s dealings with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
What You Need To Know
Mamdani is expected to appoint Faiza Ali to lead the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
The move comes amid ongoing tensions over federal immigration enforcement
She previously served as first deputy chief of staff to former Speaker Adrienne Adams
She has a background in immigrant advocacy and was part of Mamdani’s transition team
As former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams’ first deputy chief of staff, Ali was involved in key city budget negotiations, the “City of Yes” program and efforts to preserve New York City’s sanctuary city laws.
Mamdani has voiced support for the city’s sanctuary status despite threats from the White House to cut federal funding.
Before joining city government, Ali worked with immigrant rights groups, serving as advocacy director at the Arab American Association of New York, an organizer with Brooklyn Congregations United and in community affairs at CAIR-NY.
A member of Mamdani’s transition committee, Ali is also known as a close confidante and ally within Muslim American political circles.