“Prepared for Arrest”: Mamdani Hammers ICE as ‘Cruel’ and ‘Inhumane’
A clean, polished rewritten transcript-style article
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani says he is “feeling ready” as he prepares to move into City Hall in a matter of weeks. But what keeps him up at night isn’t the transition—it’s the affordability crisis gripping New Yorkers.
He recalls meeting an AT&T employee who didn’t recognize him and apologized. Mamdani told him there was no need:
“He wakes up thinking about work, goes to work, comes home thinking about work, and goes to sleep thinking about work. He has no time to engage in politics because he’s just trying to afford this city.”
For Mamdani, the rising costs of rent, child care, utilities, transit, and groceries remain the city’s most urgent challenge. And he says that when he raised the issue with the President—who recently dismissed affordability concerns as a “hoax”—he made it clear that New Yorkers are being pushed out because they can no longer afford basic life necessities.
A Surreal Rise—and a Reminder of Past Battles
Standing outside City Hall, Mamdani reflects on how surreal the moment feels.
“Four years ago, I was on a 15-day hunger strike with working-class taxi drivers whose lives were being ruined by city policy. We won $475 million in debt relief. Now I’m preparing to move inside City Hall.”
The Growing Fear Over ICE Raids
In recent weeks, Mamdani has become increasingly vocal about the presence of ICE in New York City, especially after raids at 26 Federal Plaza—including the case of a six-year-old boy from Queens separated from his father.
“These raids are cruel and inhumane. They do nothing to improve public safety.”
Mamdani says he still does not know where the child, Juan Xin, is being held. The father is in a detention center in Orange County, NY, but the boy’s location remains unclear.
He told the President directly that these family separations violate the spirit of New York’s sanctuary city laws, which already allow cooperation with federal authorities in cases involving 170 serious crimes.
“This is not that. These are routine separations of immigrant families.”
Mamdani, himself an immigrant who received his citizenship in New York City, said he has personally waited outside 26 Federal Plaza with relatives, unsure if they would be detained.
Is Indiscriminate Enforcement Already Here?
When asked whether mass, indiscriminate enforcement is already happening in New York, Mamdani didn’t hesitate:
“There is already an aspect of this taking place. And it’s important for every New Yorker to speak up.”
With more than three million immigrants in the city, he says this is not a fringe issue—it affects nearly half the population.
Homeland Security Fires Back—But Mamdani Stands Firm
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Mamdani of potentially violating the Constitution with his “know your rights” videos advising immigrants on what to do if ICE shows up.
Mamdani’s response:
“I’m proud to inform people of their rights. There is nothing more American than that.”
“Are You Prepared to Be Arrested?”
The interviewer cites past statements from governors and federal officials—some saying they’d be willing to be arrested for resisting federal immigration enforcement, others threatening governors who interfere.
Asked directly if he is prepared to be arrested:
“I am prepared for any consequence that comes from standing up for New Yorkers. That’s my job.”
He emphasizes that no one is above the law—not even the President, and not ICE agents.
Could NYPD Arrest ICE Agents?
When pushed on whether the NYPD, under his leadership, could arrest ICE agents for unlawful behavior, Mamdani didn’t commit to that scenario—but didn’t rule out accountability either.
“My focus is ensuring the NYPD does not assist ICE and that they follow sanctuary city law. For the law to have meaning, there must be accountability for all of us.”
