Zohran Mamdani has signed a new executive order that requires ICE to obtain a judicial warrant before entering New York City property…

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed a comprehensive executive order on Friday, bolstering the city’s sanctuary policies by mandating that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents obtain a judicial warrant before entering any city-owned property. The move, announced during the annual Interfaith Breakfast at the New York Public Library, aims to protect immigrant communities amid heightened federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani signs executive order on NYC sanctuary laws …
The executive order, designated as EO-13, reaffirms New York City’s long-standing commitment to sanctuary status. It explicitly prohibits ICE from accessing city facilities—including schools, shelters, hospitals, parking garages, and other public spaces—without a court-issued warrant.Additionally, the order protects the privacy of residents’ data, initiates audits to ensure agency compliance with sanctuary laws, and establishes an interagency committee to coordinate responses to potential federal escalations.Mayor Mamdani emphasized that these measures extend protections to all New Yorkers, not just immigrants, stating, “We will make clear that ICE will not be able to enter New York City property without a judicial warrant. That means our schools, our shelters, our hospitals, our parking lots.”
In a fiery speech at the event, Mamdani described ICE as a “rogue agency” and a “manifestation of the abuse of power,” criticizing its actions as “cruelty that staggers the conscience.”He invoked historical and religious contexts, drawing parallels to Islamic teachings on hospitality and protection of the vulnerable, while calling for the agency’s abolition. “What we need to see is humanity… What we’re seeing from ICE is not it, and we have not seen that from them in a long, long time,” Mamdani said in related remarks.
This executive action comes as part of Mamdani’s first 100 days in office and aligns with broader state efforts led by Governor Kathy Hochul to limit ICE’s involvement in New York.It builds on the mayor’s earlier “Trump-proofing” strategies, including public advisories urging residents to know their rights, remain silent during ICE encounters, and record interactions.The order also directs city agencies to distribute “Know Your Rights” materials and train employees on handling federal immigration requests.
Mixed Reactions from Across the Political Spectrum
The order has elicited strong responses from both supporters and critics, highlighting the deep divisions over immigration policy in the U.S.

Immigrant rights advocates and faith leaders praised the move as a vital safeguard. Reverend Juan Carlos Ruiz of Good Shepherd Church in Brooklyn called for ICE’s abolition and full amnesty, stating that “communion with God demands from us a communion with one another.”On social media, users expressed approval, with one X post declaring, “I like this man,” in reference to Mamdani.Progressive outlets like Daily Kos hailed it as protecting “NYC’s most vulnerable from ICE thuggery.”
Conservative voices, however, condemned the order as obstructive and potentially unconstitutional. Radio host Buck Sexton accused Mamdani of “intentionally provoking a legal showdown with the federal government,” arguing that cities cannot lawfully block federal agents from public property.The New York Post labeled the speech “fiery” and the order “seemingly performative,” portraying Mamdani as a “far-left” figure railing against immigration enforcement.1146f5 A YouTube video titled “Mamdani calls for WAR Against Trump’s ICE Agents?” criticized the mayor for urging resistance, claiming it undermines federal law.6fe443 Some online commentators went further, suggesting the order is part of a broader “inversion” to erode borders through moral posturing.16664c
Critics also warn that the policy could invite federal retaliation, such as withholding funding from sanctuary jurisdictions, as threatened by the Trump administration.Neutral observers, like Bloomberg, framed it as an escalation in the “city-vs-federal power struggle over immigration enforcement.”
Broader Implications for New York and Beyond
As the nation’s largest city and a hub for immigrants, New York’s stance could influence other municipalities. The order reinforces existing sanctuary laws dating back to 2002 but adds teeth amid recent ICE operations that have sparked national outrage.51d832 Legal experts anticipate challenges, with questions about whether local governments can restrict federal agents on public property raising constitutional debates.
Mamdani’s administration has positioned the city as a bulwark against what it calls “abusive immigration enforcement,” but opponents argue it prioritizes ideology over public safety. As tensions rise, the executive order sets the stage for potential confrontations between local and federal authorities.
For the full text of Executive Order 13, visit the official NYC government website.