New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani smiles inside a car as he leaves the New York City Office of Emergency Management after holding a press conference, as a major winter storm spreads across a large swath of the United States, in Brooklyn, New York City, U.S., January 25, 2026. REUTERS/Bing Guan TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
(New York, New York) – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration will prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from entering city-owned property unless they present a judicial warrant.
Mamdani framed the policy as a matter of civil liberties and local authority, saying federal immigration enforcement should not have unrestricted access to municipal buildings without court approval.
The mayor’s remarks align with longstanding sanctuary-style policies in New York City that limit cooperation between local agencies and federal immigration authorities, particularly in non-criminal matters. Supporters argue such policies protect immigrant communities and encourage cooperation with local law enforcement, while critics say they undermine federal immigration enforcement.
ICE has previously stated that it conducts operations in accordance with federal law and seeks cooperation from local jurisdictions when possible. It remains unclear how the policy would be implemented across all city facilities or how it could be challenged legally.
The comments are likely to intensify debate over immigration enforcement, federal authority, and public safety in New York City.
