New York City’s soon-to-be mayor, Zohran Mamdani, faced criticism on Sunday following his call for undocumented immigrants to resist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Set to lead the largest city in the United States next month, Mamdani addressed New York’s immigrant population, which exceeds three million people, in response to an ICE operation in Chinatown last week that was interrupted by demonstrators.

“Last weekend, ICE tried to raid Canal Street and apprehend our immigrant neighbors,” stated the Democratic Socialist in a video shared on X.

He continued, “As mayor, I will safeguard the rights of every New Yorker, including the over three million immigrants who make this city their home.”

Mamdani emphasized, “We can all stand up to ICE by knowing your rights,” as he wrote “Know Your Rights” on a whiteboard.

The mayor-elect then went on to advise that ICE agents cannot enter private spaces like homes, schools or workplaces without a judicial warrant, and ‘you have the right to say “I do not consent to entry” and the right to keep your door closed.’

He then displayed an example of what he said was non-binding legal paperwork ICE agents may show instead of a warrant.

‘ICE is legally allowed to lie to you,’ he declared. ‘But you have the right to remain silent. If you are being detained, you may ask “Am I free to go?” repeatedly until they answer you.

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani urged illegal immigrants to ‘stand up’ to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents

At one point in the video, he claimed ‘ICE is legally allowed to lie to you’ 

Mamdani, who takes the helm of the United States’ largest city next month, offered his legal advice to the New York’s ‘more than 3 million immigrants.’ ICE agents are seen detaining a migrant as he walked out from a hearing in October

He also told residents they are ‘legally allowed to film ICE as long as you do not interfere with an arrest.’

‘Do not impede their investigation, resist arrest or run,’ Mamdani advised.

He concluded the video by saying, ‘New Yorkers have a constitutional right to protest, and when I’m mayor, we will protect that right.’

Many online hit out at the mayor-elect for his video, with political commentator Carmine Sabia accusing him of ignoring ‘laws that you do not like.’

‘We should not bother to have borders or immigration laws?’ he asked, rhetorically.

Another X user also accused Mamdani of ‘aiding, abetting and advising criminals.’

Others argued that even when he becomes mayor, Mamdani does not have the authority to stop ICE raids. 

‘You keep dressing this up as “protecting neighbors,” but you’re literally helping people evade lawful process while pretending New York gets to nullify federal immigration law,’ a third X user wrote, while a fourth noted that illegal immigrants in the United States are considered criminals.

‘New York City is an American. It is part of the United States,’ another added. ‘Illegal aliens have no more right to be in New York than anywhere else in the USA.

‘Come legally, or don’t come at all,’ the X user advised.

Mamdani has long vowed that he would protect New York City residents from ICE, and even campaigned on defying ICE agents

Many online hit out at the mayor-elect for his video, with some claiming he does not have the authority to defy the federal agency

But Mamdani has long vowed that he would protect New York City residents from ICE, and even campaigned on defying ICE agents.

Trump has previously threatened to ‘arrest him’ – though the president took a much friendlier approach when he met the mayor-elect last month.

‘I think he’s gonna surprise some conservative people, actually,’ Trump said in the aftermath, telling reporters he hopes Mamdani will be ‘a really great mayor.’

‘The better he does, the happier I am,’ the president added.

Mamdani’s renewed call to defy ICE comes after more than 150 demonstrators tried to block agents conducting a sting in Chinatown with a blockade of trashcans and plant pots.

The protest soon became violent when demonstrators threw  trash and cardboard boxes into the street and stood in front of moving vehicles, chanting ‘ICE out of New York.’

Mamdani’s remarks came one week after protesters clashed with ICE agents in New York City’s Chinatown neighborhood

Eventually, officers were forced to use mace and try to break up the mob before making at least two arrests.

Some protesters were then seen pouring water into their eyes as officers apprehended some of the demonstrators.

‘They were instructed multiple times to disperse, and they did not comply,’ a spokesperson for the NYPD said. ‘As a result, multiple individuals were taken into custody.’

Protests previously broke out in October after agents attempted to do the same thing in the predominately Asian neighborhood. 

In October, federal agents shut down Canal Street to target illegal street vendors. 

A bag vendor reportedly sprinting up and down Canal Street shouting: ‘ICE is here’ and pointing to unmarked cars.

Nearby, protestors closed in on federal agents, chanting ‘f**k ICE!’ as phones went up to record the arrests at the time.