Department of Homeland Security, FBI, IRS announce New York Joint Task Force
The Department of Homeland Security announced it would create a joint task force with the FBI and IRS to target “transnational criminal organizations.”
NEW YORK – Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani says he is “prepared for any consequences” to confront New York’s federal immigration crackdown.
Mamdani said in a new interview with MS NOW on December 10 that he told President Donald Trump that immigration raids, including those in New York City, are “brutal and inhumane” and do not address public safety.
Journalist Jacob Soboroff asked if Mamdani was prepared to face arrest, which California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said they were willing to face as they confront their states’ immigration crackdowns. President Trump has sent staff to several cities across the country, but so far he has largely left New York City untouched.
“I’m prepared for the consequences of standing up for New Yorkers. That’s my job,” Mamdani said outside New York City Hall, where he will be sworn in on January 1. “That’s why I ran for office.”
Mamdani’s comments in recent days have infuriated administration officials who have suggested he violated the U.S. Constitution. New York City, like many other Democratic jurisdictions, restricts local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement through a series of so-called “sanctuary” policies.
“We once again call on sanctuary politicians, agitators, and the media to lower their temperatures and stop calling for violence and resistance against ICE law enforcement,” Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the federal Department of Homeland Security, which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said in a statement.
“This dangerous practice of encouraging illegal aliens to evade arrest comes after sanctuary politicians held webinars offering resources and tips on how to openly defy ICE,” McLaughlin said, citing Democratic lawmakers including New York State Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Dan Goldman and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Newsom.
Mamdani said he is contributing to a city that is home to more than 3 million immigrants. Mamdani, 34, who was born in Uganda, is also an immigrant and naturalized American citizen.
In a Dec. 7 social media video, Mamdani detailed locations where ICE could not enter without a proper court order signed by a judge. He also said people are legally allowed to film investigators as long as they don’t interfere with the arrest, and people have a constitutional right to protest.
Asked on Fox News’ “Hannity” whether these politicians were committing crimes, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said her department would investigate in coordination with the Justice Department.
“If the mayor were the mayor, he could violate the Constitution by giving advice on how to avoid law enforcement or how to avoid violating the law,” Noem said. “What we’re seeing is truly unbelievable in this country.”
Mamdani told MS NOW that he is proud to inform people about this law.
“I can’t think of anything more American than talking about the protections we all have under the law,” he said.
Instead, the mayor-elect said the NYPD can provide public safety and said that is the basis for addressing affordability, a nod to his winning campaign message.
Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Contact us via email (emcuevas1@usatoday.com) or Signal (emcuevas.01).
