New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a Spanish-language video Friday advising residents on how to respond to federal immigration agents, escalating his ongoing dispute with President Donald Trump’s administration over immigration enforcement in the city.
The October 23 announcement comes after a controversial shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and a Dominican national who federal authorities say has a criminal record and suspected gang connections.
Mamdani, a longtime critic of ICE, used the video to outline residents’ legal rights during encounters with immigration authorities.
“These are very frightening times for many people,” the mayor said.
His message directed residents to New York City’s immigration legal assistance resources and explained restrictions on federal agents entering private property.
Mamdani emphasized that ICE officers generally cannot enter private areas without appropriate judicial authorization or another lawful exception.
He also reminded residents that the New York Police Department is prohibited from cooperating with ICE on certain immigration enforcement activities under city policies.
“As your mayor, I will fight every day to protect, support, and celebrate our communities,” Mamdani declared.
The announcement follows the shooting of Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old Dominican national, during an immigration enforcement operation in Manhattan’s Marble Hill neighborhood earlier this month.
Federal authorities say Belgal was in the United States illegally and had previously been arrested in New York City.
Officials also alleged that he had connections to the Trinitarios, a Dominican-American street gang.
According to the Trump administration, Belgal had faced allegations involving robbery, assault, larceny and drug possession.
The encounter turned violent when an ICE officer shot Belgal in the neck during an attempted detention.
Belgal survived the shooting and received hospital treatment before being transferred to a detention facility.
Federal officials maintain that the officer acted after Belgal attempted to use his vehicle against immigration agents.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended the operation, arguing that officers were dealing with an individual they considered dangerous.
“This guy we knew was dangerous,” Mullin told CNN.
He said Belgal had previously fled from immigration officers and was given lawful commands during the encounter.
According to Mullin, Belgal attempted to escape again despite knowing that federal officers were approaching him.
The secretary maintained that agents had taken precautions before attempting the arrest.
Mamdani, however, strongly disputed the circumstances surrounding the operation.
The mayor criticized officers for wearing masks and construction-style vests rather than clearly identifiable law enforcement uniforms.
“ICE agents surrounded the man’s vehicle before opening fire. They wore construction vests and masks that concealed their faces,” Mamdani said.
“There was no reasonable way to identify them as ICE agents.”
Mamdani compared the appearance of the officers to that of a mass shooter, arguing that the lack of clearly recognizable uniforms created unnecessary danger, per the Washington Examiner.
He also condemned the operation because Belgal’s child was reportedly inside the vehicle at the time.
The mayor subsequently demanded that Trump end ICE operations in New York City and called for Belgal’s release.
His criticism extended beyond the shooting itself.
In recent days, Mamdani has urged owners and operators of parking garages and parking lots to prevent federal immigration agents from using their properties as staging locations for enforcement operations.
That request received support from several prominent New York Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The mayor has also renewed his longstanding demand that ICE be abolished.
His latest Spanish-language message represents another effort to inform immigrant communities about their rights as federal agents continue operations throughout the city.
The Trump administration, meanwhile, has defended its immigration enforcement activities and maintained that officers must be able to detain individuals suspected of violating federal immigration laws.
The dispute highlights continuing disagreements between New York City’s leadership and federal authorities over immigration enforcement, local cooperation and the conduct of officers during arrests.
Mamdani’s announcement does not change federal immigration law or eliminate ICE’s authority to conduct lawful operations in New York City.
However, it reinforces his administration’s position that residents should understand their legal protections and have access to assistance when encountering federal immigration authorities.
