Left: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, October 15, 2026. REUTERS/Bing Guan
Right: US President Donald Trump, October 26, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned the Trump administration Monday that if it didn’t stop using city property without proper authorization, his office was prepared to take swift legal action.
For months, reports have circulated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have used New York City parking lots — both public and private — to stage immigration enforcement operations. In a letter addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin sent Monday, Mamdani demanded that ICE halt such operations immediately.
“This use of City property in furtherance of federal immigration enforcement is unauthorized and is therefore illegal, endangers City residents, and sows fear among those who seek to access City property,” the letter reads.
“If your agents continue any unauthorized use of these lots, New York City will take legal action to prevent this unlawful commandeering of City property.”
Mamdani alleged that ICE agents have continued to use “several” city-owned parking lots without authorization, including one in Queens “right next door” to a city-run preschool and cultural institutions “that children visit every day.” He explicitly clarified that New York City did not authorize ICE to use its property, and demanded that Mullin “immediately issue guidance” to his agents.
“Parking lots connected to City parks are reserved for the safe use and enjoyment of New Yorkers and visitors who wish to use our parks. Use of these lots for other purposes, including ICE’s reported use of these lots, amounts to unauthorized activity on City property,” the letter reads.
“Accordingly, you must immediately issue guidance to your agents prohibiting them from using any City lots to stage or conduct enforcement operations. New York City deeply values its immigrant communities and will continue to use all available lawful means to ensure their safety, well-being, and ability to navigate the City and its resources without fear.”
Mamdani’s legal threat comes less than a month after an ICE officer shot 28-year-old Oscar Belgal, who was in his vehicle at the time with his 5-year-old child, in the neck in Manhattan.