Immigration Official Calls for Dismantling Federal Agency
Mayor Zohran Mamdani appeared on ABC’s “The View” to publicly advocate for abolishing Immigration, Customs and Enforcement, positioning his administration as a leading opponent of federal immigration enforcement at a time of intensified ICE operations across the country. The 34-year-old mayor, who is a naturalized American citizen born in Uganda, has made immigration protection a signature policy commitment and used the national television platform to articulate his position on immigration agency reform.
Mamdani’s Position on ICE Abolition
During his appearance on “The View,” Mamdani stated unequivocally: “I am in support of abolishing ICE, and I’ll tell you why: Because what we see is an entity that has no interest in fulfilling its stated reason to exist.” The mayor characterized ICE as a “rogue agency” that terrorizes people regardless of immigration status or legal standing. He outlined his concern that the agency operates without meaningful legal constraint and has demonstrated indifference to rules governing enforcement procedures.
Context of Recent ICE Operations
Mamdani’s statements came as ICE has conducted an increased number of enforcement actions under the Trump administration. In one incident that directly affected New York City, an ICE officer fatally shot a 37-year-old mother during a routine operation in Minnesota. The incident sparked national controversy and renewed calls from Democratic officials to abolish the agency entirely.
Defining the Problem with ICE
“We’re seeing a government agency that is supposed to be enforcing some sort of immigration law, but instead, what it is doing is terrorizing people no matter their immigration status, no matter the facts of the law, and no matter the facts of the case,” Mamdani said. He emphasized that what he characterized as systematic violations of legal procedures and human rights represent fundamental failures of the agency to serve its stated purpose and legal authority boundaries.
Recent ICE Actions in New York City
The mayor’s national position on ICE comes after a January incident in which a New York City Council employee was detained by ICE while attending a routine immigration appointment on Long Island. Mamdani responded to the detention by calling it “an assault on our democracy, on our city, and our values.” He demanded the employee’s immediate release and pledged to monitor the situation closely through city resources.
Humanitarian Framework
Mamdani consistently frames immigration enforcement through a humanitarian lens, emphasizing the human costs of aggressive ICE operations. “I’m tired of waking up every day and seeing a new image of someone being dragged out of a car, dragged out of their home and dragged out of their life. What we need to see is humanity,” the mayor said on national television. This rhetorical approach distinguishes his position from purely technical critiques of ICE procedures and emphasizes the lived experience of immigrants.
Federal Sanctuary City Protections
The mayor acknowledged Trump administration threats to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities, positioning his defense of immigrants as a values-based commitment rather than a negotiating position. “What I said is that our values and our laws, they are not bargaining chips. I’m not looking to have a negotiation with New Yorkers’ lives,” Mamdani stated. He noted that sanctuary city protections have bipartisan support and reflect law enforcement consensus that they improve public safety by building community trust with vulnerable populations.
National Policy Implications
ABC News coverage of Mayor Mamdani’s positions indicates growing alignment between New York’s chief executive and progressive figures on immigration policy. The mayor’s willingness to advocate for agency abolition rather than reform represents a more radical stance than previous Democratic mayors adopted, signaling potential shifts in how Democratic mayors nationally address federal immigration enforcement and sanctuary city policies moving forward into second term considerations.
