New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has faced sharp criticism from the Trump administration following his issuance of an executive order aimed at reinforcing the city’s sanctuary laws. The order, released on February 6, 2026, reminds municipal agencies of their obligations under existing regulations, particularly regarding the conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The executive order specifies that ICE agents are prohibited from using city-owned property, such as parking lots, as staging areas for their operations. It also underscores the requirement for ICE agents to present a judicial warrant before entering private property for arrest purposes. Notably, the order does not introduce any new laws to restrict local authorities from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement, as existing policies already limit such collaboration in most cases.
Despite the intent behind the order, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expressed concerns regarding public safety implications. In a statement provided to Politico, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin asserted that Mamdani’s policies could jeopardize the safety of New Yorkers. “Mamdani will make New Yorkers less safe as a direct result of this policy,” McLaughlin stated, adding that the mayor should reconsider releasing individuals in custody to ICE before they return to the streets.
Mamdani defended his executive order, insisting that sanctuary policies are designed to enhance public safety. “These are policies that keep New Yorkers safe,” he remarked, emphasizing that they are intended to protect the community rather than compromise it.
The controversy surrounding Mamdani’s order intensified following remarks made by Donald Trump on January 13, where he threatened to cut federal funding to sanctuary cities, including New York. During a speech at the Detroit Economic Club, Trump criticized these cities for prioritizing the protection of undocumented immigrants at the expense of American citizens, claiming it fosters criminal activity.
The Department of Justice has previously published a list of sanctuary jurisdictions, which includes New York City and other metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Trump had set a February 1 deadline for cities to revoke their sanctuary status, but the deadline passed without any notable actions taken against New York or others on the list.
Supporters of sanctuary policies argue that they promote public safety by allowing undocumented immigrants to report crimes without the fear of deportation. Under New York’s sanctuary laws, local law enforcement is permitted to cooperate with ICE only in specific cases, such as when an individual has been convicted of a serious or violent crime within the last five years or is on a federal terrorism watchlist.
As the debate continues, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with implications for the future of immigration policy and public safety in New York City.
