DHS Condemns Mamdani Over Sanctuary City Order

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on Feb. 6, condemned New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for issuing an executive order that he says will protect New Yorkers from “abusive immigration enforcement” and uphold sanctuary city laws.

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemns New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani for signing an Executive Order turning New York City into a shield for violent criminal illegal aliens to reoffend and create more innocent victims,” a DHS press release states.

On Feb. 6, Mamdani signed the order during the Interfaith Breakfast at the New York Public Library in Bryant Park. Mamdani described the proclamation as "a sweeping reaffirmation of commitment to our immigrant neighbors."

DHS responded by asserting that partnerships between U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement are pivotal to the removal of “criminal illegal aliens, including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists from American communities.”

According to the department’s release, “7 of the 10 safest cities in the U.S. cooperate with ICE.”

Mamdani’s signing comes one week after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a bill that would prevent local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with or assisting ICE.

“Mamdani will make New Yorkers less safe as a direct result of this policy. There are currently 7,113 criminal illegal aliens in the custody of a New York jurisdiction with an active detainer,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

DHS has urged Mamdani to transfer custody of criminals in New York City to ICE before their release.

In a statement, DHS called “on Mamdani to agree to release criminals in New York City’s custody to ICE before they are released back onto the Big Apple’s streets to victimize and prey on more Americans. When politicians bar local law enforcement from working with DHS, our law enforcement officers have to have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities.”