Mamdani: "Immigrants in the U.S. Have the Right to Refuse Unlawful Enforcement"

Posted Video on Social Media

Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected New York City Council member, said in a video posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on the 7th (local time), "If you know your rights, you can stand up to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)." Mamdani X

Amid growing public opposition following an immigration raid in New York's Chinatown, Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York, asserted that immigrants in the United States have the right to refuse unlawful immigration enforcement by authorities.

According to reports by ABC and the Associated Press, Mamdani stated in a video posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on the 7th (local time), "If immigrants know their rights, they can stand up to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)."

Mamdani emphasized that "ICE agents cannot enter private spaces such as homes, schools, or workplaces without a warrant issued by a court, and immigrants have the right to refuse entry." He added that immigrants have the right to remain silent and, as long as they do not interfere with enforcement activities, they may also record the scene.

He said, "ICE is legally allowed to lie to you and claim you have no rights, but you have the right to refuse to speak." He stressed that even while in detention, individuals can assert their rights and repeatedly demand answers from authorities.

He continued, "New York has always welcomed immigrants," adding, "I will fight every day to protect, support, and respect the presence of my immigrant brothers and sisters."

Mamdani's remarks came a week after ICE, the federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, attempted an immigration raid on Canal Street in New York's Chinatown, which sparked protests.

Mamdani, a progressive politician in his 30s and an Indian Muslim, made headlines last month by winning the New York mayoral election. He is the first Muslim to be elected to this office and is scheduled to take office on January 1.

Mamdani also drew attention recently for meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, following a series of heated exchanges. The two, who have publicly clashed over key issues such as immigration policy, unexpectedly displayed a 'bromance.' Since the launch of Trump's second administration, federal immigration enforcement operations have been aggressively pursued.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.