Mamdani shrugs off Democratic Party concerns over his 'Abolish ICE' push
NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani is urging his fellow Democrats to fully embrace the "Abolish ICE" movement rather than shy away from it, arguing that incremental reforms have failed and a bolder vision is needed.
During an interview Saturday on MS NOW's "The Weekend," Mamdani was pressed on the ongoing protests outside Delaney Hall, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. He linked the conditions inside the facility to his continued advocacy for eliminating the agency entirely.
"This is partially why I have put forward a vision alongside so many others to say that ICE should be abolished, that there is no way to reform this kind of cruelty that we're seeing endemic in the way that immigration is being enforced across the country," Mamdani said.
The mayor, who has positioned himself as a vocal critic of federal immigration enforcement, was also asked about concerns within the Democratic Party that aggressive rhetoric like "Abolish ICE" could hurt the party's electoral prospects—echoing worries that the "defund the police" movement backfired politically.
"I think we've listened to them before, and look where we are," Mamdani replied. "I think it's time to develop a new vision for this party, one that is unflinching in its beliefs and also uncompromising in its principles."
When asked how progressive Democrats can appeal to voters beyond their base, Mamdani emphasized delivering tangible results rather than relying on debate-stage rhetoric. He pointed to his administration's child care proposals as an example.
"There's a lot of talk about the debate and what we have an opportunity to do here in New York City is to deliver on that vision," he said. "You know, two people can argue all they want, but when you show somebody the ability to deliver free child care for 200 two-year-olds this year, 12,000 two-year-olds next year, every two-year-old by the end of four years. It showcases what we're fighting for and why we believe so deeply in it."
On the local level, Mamdani highlighted New York City's sanctuary city policies, noting the city has implemented executive orders requiring all city agencies to comply with those policies and limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
"We're making clear that no one is above the law in this city, that everyone has to follow the rule of law," Mamdani said in March. He has also publicly described ICE as a "rogue agency" and said he has raised those concerns directly with President Trump in both private and public conversations.
In February, Mamdani signed an executive order prohibiting local law enforcement from coordinating with ICE officers on immigration matters unless they present a judicial warrant.