‘Know your rights’: Zohran Mamdani’s video message advises immigrants on resisting ICE raids

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has sparked controversy after releasing a video urging immigrants, including those undocumented, on how to resist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. 

He justified his remarks as a matter of legal protection, framing it as a call for solidarity and support for immigrants living in the city. 

Zohran Mamdani urges immigrants to stand up to ICE raids

In a video message on Sunday, December 7, Zohran Mamdani offered advice to illegal immigrants on how to evade ICE, calling on them to “stand up” to federal agents and “know your rights.”

The video followed last weekend’s ICE raid in Chinatown, which was disrupted by protesters.

“Last weekend, ICE attempted to raid Canal Street and detain our immigrant neighbors,” Mamdani said in a video posted on X on Sunday. “As mayor, I’ll protect the rights of every single New Yorker. And that includes the more than 3 million immigrants who call this city their home.”

“But we can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights,” he added, standing in front of a flip chart with the words “Know your rights” written on it.

Zohran Mamdani outlines immigrant rights during ICE encounters

Bringing up an example of such a warrant on the screen, Zohran Mamdani said, “ICE cannot enter into private spaces like your home, school, or private area of your workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge.”

“You have the right to say, ‘I do not consent to entry,’ and the right to keep your door closed,” he added, before showing an example of the non-binding legal paperwork he said ICE may use instead of a judicial warrant.

“ICE is legally allowed to lie to you. But you have the right to remain silent. If you are being detained, you may always ask, ‘Am I free to go?’ repeatedly until they answer you,” Mamdani said.

“You are legally allowed to film ICE, as long as you do not interfere with an arrest,” he added. “New Yorkers have a constitutional right to protest, and when I’m mayor, we will protect that right,” Mamdani said. 

Zohran Mamdani faces conservative backlash over ICE resistance video

According to 2022 data from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, of the 3 million immigrants who call the city home, at least 412,000 are in the country illegally. The video received backlash from several conservatives who argue that illegal immigrants are criminals.

“Then you ignore laws that you do not like? We should not bother to have borders or immigration laws?” conservative political commentator Carmine Sabia wrote in reply. “Aiding, abetting and advising criminals,” Liz Rios wrote on X.