Mamdani Tells ICE To Get Off NYC Property Or Face Lawsuit

NEW YORK CITY— Mayor Zohran Mamdani threatened legal action against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after reports that federal agents used New York City-owned parking lots to stage immigration enforcement operations without the City’s permission.

Mamdani demanded that the agency immediately stop using City property for immigration enforcement in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, acting ICE Director David J. Venturella and ICE New York Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo.

He also called on federal officials to issue written guidance prohibiting agents from staging or conducting operations on City-owned land.

Agents reportedly parked vehicles and held meetings at several unstaffed City-owned lots, including a parking lot at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and lots along 111th Street on the west side of Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens.

The administration maintains that the City never authorized ICE to use the properties for federal immigration operations. Corporation Counsel Steven Banks, the City’s top lawyer, said the administration would pursue legal action if agents continued using the lots.

“ICE has no right to use our property as a base for tearing families apart. That goes for every park and every lot this City owns. This unauthorized use of City property must end now,” Mamdani said. “Today, I’m telling DHS to order its agents off our lots. If they keep coming back, we will see them in court.”

What Changes For City Parks Employees?

The administration also announced new procedures for New York City Parks employees who encounter federal or other nonlocal law enforcement officers seeking access to park property.

The policy, developed under Executive Order 13, establishes procedures for frontline workers responding to requests to enter public and restricted areas of Parks property. The administration plans to provide training to help employees enforce City rules and respond to attempts by federal agents to access City facilities.

The policy forms part of a broader effort to update agency procedures governing nonlocal law enforcement access to municipal property.

Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura said the new guidance would help employees respond to federal agents while maintaining public access to parks and recreational spaces.

What Legal Protections Apply?

Earlier this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from entering agreements to carry out federal civil immigration enforcement.

The law restricts the use of local law enforcement resources for federal immigration operations. It does not, by itself, establish a blanket prohibition on federal agents entering City-owned property.

Hochul backed Mamdani’s demand, citing concerns about federal immigration enforcement on public property.

The governor also said the state would continue directing local law enforcement resources toward public safety rather than federal civil immigration enforcement.

The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs operates a free, confidential immigration legal support hotline for New Yorkers seeking assistance.

Residents can call 1-800-354-0365 to connect with trusted legal service providers in their preferred language.

The hotline offers a point of contact for immigrants seeking information about their rights and available legal assistance.

The administration said it would continue working with City agencies to strengthen procedures governing federal law enforcement access to municipal property.