Mamdani won’t like this.
The Trump administration is expanding immigration enforcement in New York, setting up another major showdown with one of the country’s most outspoken critics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to NewsNation, ICE officers began enforcement operations Monday morning in Queens and are expected to continue on Long Island Tuesday. The operations reportedly focus on individuals who previously had ICE detainers issued against them but were released after local authorities declined to honor those requests.
ICE Targets Previously Released Migrants
Federal officials use immigration detainers to ask local law enforcement agencies to notify ICE before releasing individuals from custody. In some cases, the requests also ask agencies to briefly hold those individuals so federal officers can assume custody.
The latest enforcement effort comes as the Trump administration continues its push to strengthen immigration enforcement in jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Supporters argue the operations help enforce existing immigration laws and improve public safety. Opponents contend they can discourage immigrant communities from cooperating with local law enforcement.
Mamdani Has Been One Of ICE’s Strongest Critics
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has repeatedly criticized ICE and the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Earlier this month, following the death of a Mexican immigrant during an ICE operation in Houston, Mamdani called for the agency to be abolished.
“New York City stands with the Salgado family in demanding a full, independent investigation and real accountability,” Mamdani said in a public statement. “To the Salgado family and any immigrant family in this city living in fear: we grieve with you and we will continue to stand beside you in the pursuit of justice. Abolish ICE.”
As of Monday, the mayor’s office had not publicly commented on the latest enforcement operations.
Immigration Remains A Top Trump Priority
Since returning to office, President Trump has made immigration enforcement one of the administration’s central policy priorities.
Federal officials have continued to expand ICE operations across the country while urging local governments to cooperate with immigration authorities. At the same time, several Democratic-led cities and states have maintained sanctuary-style policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
The disagreement has fueled an ongoing national debate over border security, federal authority, and public safety.
Homan Addresses Recent Investigations
During an appearance Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, White House border czar Tom Homan was asked about ICE officers involved in two recent fatal shootings in Texas and Maine.
Homan said he was not directly involved in those investigations but noted that standard policy is for officers involved in shootings to be placed on administrative leave while investigations are underway.
“I don’t know specifically,” Homan said. “I haven’t been involved in the investigations, but it’d be policy that they’d be put on administrative leave during the shooting investigation.”
What’s Next?
The new ICE operations are expected to intensify the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and New York City leaders over immigration policy. With both sides standing firmly behind their positions, immigration enforcement is likely to remain one of the most closely watched political issues in the months ahead.