New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani posted a video on social media detailing the rights of immigrants to refuse communication with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. This announcement came shortly after federal agents conducted a raid in Manhattan. In the video, Mamdani emphasized the importance of knowing one's rights, stating, "We can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights." He clarified that individuals in the U.S. have the right to decline speaking with federal immigration agents, to record their actions without interference, and to deny entry to private spaces unless ICE possesses a judicial warrant signed by a judge.

Mamdani noted, "ICE is legally allowed to lie to you, but you have the right to remain silent. If you’re being detained, you may always ask, ‘Am I free to go?’ repeatedly until they answer you." His remarks followed a demonstration against ICE's attempts to detain individuals on Canal Street, near New York's Chinatown, which had also seen protests during a similar immigration operation the previous October.

Mamdani reiterated his commitment to protecting the city's immigrant population, stating, "New York will always welcome immigrants, and I will fight each and every day to protect, support, and celebrate our immigrant brothers and sisters." This statement comes in the context of ongoing federal immigration enforcement actions across various U.S. cities, including recent operations in New Orleans.