New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has taken a firm stance, vowing that the NYPD will not assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under his leadership. This pledge aligns with his campaign promise and comes as federal immigration enforcement is set to intensify in the city. During an appearance on PIX11 News, Mamdani criticized former Mayor Eric Adams for allowing NYPD involvement in civil immigration enforcement, which he asserts fostered a climate of fear among residents. He described this past approach as a significant deviation from the department’s primary mission of public safety.
The mayor-elect’s comments were made in the wake of a report that federal immigration officials are preparing to ramp up enforcement efforts in New York City, prompting concerns about the implications for local law enforcement and the communities they serve. Mamdani reiterated his position that the NYPD should not be involved in any activities that he perceives as part of efforts to expand immigration enforcement, which he views as a threat to the city’s social fabric and trust in law enforcement.
Additionally, Mamdani faced questions about the future of the NYPD, particularly regarding the potential retention of Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who was reportedly involved in an earlier raid that sparked controversy. He emphasized that the NYPD’s role under his leadership would focus solely on public safety and not on assisting federal immigration agencies, a stance that underscores the ideological differences between himself and the current administration. As the transition to his leadership approaches, the city awaits further details on how these policies will be implemented and the potential impact on both policing and immigration enforcement.