Mamdani message to residents on how to deal with ICE results in viral internet backlash: 'Treason'

NYC Mayor’s Spanish Guidance on ICE Sparks Nationwide Backlash

New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, drew national attention last Friday after posting a Spanish‑language message on X that explained how residents can legally protect themselves when confronted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The post, which has already garnered more than seven million views, prompted swift criticism from conservatives, several U.S. senators and even Hollywood actors.

In the video, Mamdani said: “If you encounter ICE, here’s what every New Yorker should know.” He warned that ICE officers cannot enter private spaces—such as homes, schools, hospitals or private areas of a workplace—without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. He also reminded New Yorkers of their right to remain silent and offered tips on how to interact with federal agents in what he described as “very frightening times.”

The mayor’s message follows a pattern of public opposition to ICE that has defined his tenure. When he announced his candidacy and after taking office, Mamdani called for the agency’s abolition and pledged that the New York City Police Department would not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. In March, he signed an executive order that strengthened the city’s sanctuary policies, limiting cooperation with federal authorities, protecting personal data, and establishing protocols for handling ICE requests to access city property or records. The order also expanded “Know Your Rights” training for city employees.

The post was met with immediate backlash on the platform. Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas tweeted, “It should be insulting to every American that the mayor of our largest city is a guy who became a citizen less than a decade ago and now spends his time coaching illegal aliens in a foreign language on how they can avoid being lawfully deported.” Actor Dean Cain replied, “Unless you’re here illegally, you have no reason to fear ICE. This wanker is dangerous.” Senator Mike Lee of Utah posted, “At no point in this video is anyone urged to abide by the laws of the United States,” adding that the video was not intended for the benefit of the U.S. public.

Other lawmakers also weighed in. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina called the mayor’s remarks treasonous, stating, “If you’re here illegally, you’re not a New Yorker. Period.” Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio echoed the sentiment, describing the video as “treason.” Fox News commentator Tomi Lahren blasted the mayor as “foreign born Democrats instructing illegals how to evade the law.” Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton called the statement “dangerous incitement full of disturbing falsehoods by communist terrorist supporter @NYCMayor.”

Mamdani’s office has yet to respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital. In the absence of a formal statement, the mayor’s public record stands: he has repeatedly criticized ICE, arguing that the agency’s operations are harmful to immigrant communities and that the New York City Police Department will not assist in civil immigration enforcement.

The incident underscores the broader national debate over federal immigration enforcement and the role of local governments. While Mamdani framed his post as a citizen‑rights reminder, his critics argue that it encourages obstruction of lawful federal agents and provides instructions that facilitate unlawful status. Whether or not the mayor’s message constitutes defiance of federal law remains a subject of contention among policymakers and the public alike.