Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has made a clear and firm resolution that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) will not assist with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities during his tenure as mayor. This pledge came shortly after border czar Tom Homan announced plans to increase federal immigration enforcement in the city, prompting Mamdani to reaffirm his longstanding commitment to this stance.
Mamdani, a progressive candidate, has consistently advocated for the separation of local law enforcement from federal immigration operations. During a recent interview with PIX11 News, he emphasized the fear that had been instilled by the previous administration’s collaboration with ICE. ‘We can never go back to the days where Eric Adams would go on national television and open the door to the NYPD handling civil immigration enforcement. That can never even be entertained,’ Mamdani said. He also expressed concerns about the potential for ICE to create the largest deportation force in American history, and he vowed to prioritize public safety over such measures.
The NYPD under former Mayor Eric Adams had previously cooperated with ICE on certain criminal immigration enforcement operations, but not on civil enforcement. Mamdani’s administration has clarified that this assistance will cease. However, during the interview, Mamdani also addressed the recent controversy involving the NYPD commissioner, Jessica Tisch, who was reportedly tipped off about an earlier raid. When asked how he would handle a similar situation, Mamd, he said he would ensure that no officers are involved in such actions.
Despite their ideological differences, Mamdani has confirmed that Tisch will continue in her role as NYPD commissioner, citing their shared goals on policing and the social safety net. ‘There’s also a real shared alignment – both the commissioner and I have a shared agreement on the fact that the police should not be asked to handle the fact that our social safety net is coming apart at the seams – that is a responsibility for city government,’ Mamdani stated. He also reiterated his commitment to maintaining the current headcount of the NYPD, even if it is something Tisch might prefer.
In addition to his stance onICE cooperation, Mamdani has also made clear his intention to disband the Strategic Response Group (SRG) within the NYPD. This unit, focused on rapid-response for large-scale events like protests and mass shootings, was a point of contention during his campaign, and Mamdani has now confirmed his decision to remove it under his leadership.