New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani drew sharp criticism Friday after posting a Spanish-language video outlining what he said are the public’s rights during encounters with federal immigration authorities.
“If you encounter ICE, these are your rights,” Mamdani says in Spanish at the beginning of the roughly 90-second video.
The mayor explains that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents generally cannot enter private areas without a judicial order. He advises viewers to look for the words “United States District Court” and a judge’s signature on any document presented by agents.
Mamdani also suggests that people ask officers to “pass the order under the door.”
He says individuals questioned by ICE in public have the right to remain silent and recommends asking, “Am I free to go?” Mamdani further advises viewers not to sign documents before speaking with an attorney.
After providing the city’s legal support hotline, Mamdani closes the video by saying New Yorkers have “the right to protest” and promising to “protect that right.”
Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators quickly condemned the video on social media.
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“At no point in this video is anyone urged to abide by the laws of the United States,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote on X. “Because it was not made for the benefit of the people of the United States.”
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton described the message as “dangerous incitement full of disturbing falsehoods by communist terrorist supporter” and said it “could put lives in danger.”
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., responded to the clip with a single word: “Unbelievable.”
“The Mayor of New York is openly helping illegal aliens evade [ICE] and undermine the law,” Scott wrote. “Radical Democrats are doing EVERYTHING in their power to recreate Biden’s open border disaster.”
Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., accused Mamdani of using “taxpayer resources to instruct illegals, in Spanish, how to evade accountability.”
“Biden’s open border, canceling Remain in Mexico, sanctuary city policies and free hotels, healthcare and lawyers for illegals isn’t compassion,” LaLota wrote. “They’re policy choices that are making us more like France and House Democrats are in on it.”
LaLota added, “NYC is becoming more like Paris every day.”
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, offered a one-word reaction to the video: “Treason.”
